the evolution of clans

The Evolution of Clans
The Clan system in Scotland began to evolve around 1200. The distinction applied to Highland families with a common ancestor to whose heirs succeeding generations would declare their allegiance. In Gaelic CLANN means "children," and under the feudal clan system, the Chief was regarded as the father of his clan, with parental right of punishment and reward, or low and high justice in the feudal sense. In post-Roman Britain, the north (Alba) was populated by four cultural groups,three of whom were Celtic: the Scots, from Ireland in the West; the Picts in the central and north Highlands; and the Britons on the south and southwest. From these three groups, with influxes of Norse in the tenth century and Norman French in the twelfth, would grow the Highland Clans, feudal tribes who were ruled, well or ill, by the 'Kings in their own Glens,' the Clan Chiefs.

These tribal groups shared heritage and, usually, a common name, which developed into the various clans and septs (clan divisions) found today. In the Gaelic oral tradition a man was better known by his father's and grandfather's name than by his place of origin or other description. Thus, Alasdair MacIain MhicCaluim was Alexander, son of John, grandson of Calum, and probably a MacDonald (Son of Donald), of the Clan Donald.

For centuries the Highlands stood apart, little involved in Scottish politics. Living north of the Highland Line- a variable boundary running northeast from Stirling to Aberdeen- the Clans had little care for the rest of the kingdom. Removed from contemporary civilization, these quarrelsome and often violent families and alliances did produce one valuable asset- ferocious fighting men whose descendants served as the backbone of the British Army from the 17th Century to the present day.

The Clans officially died on the Battlefield of Culloden in 1746, but the kinship and spirit they represented were indestructible. After the breakup of the Clan system and with forced and voluntary emigration, Highlanders were dispersed across the globe- first to the Americas, and later to Africa, Australia and India. The first Clan Society appeared in the late 18th century, and was followed by others in short shrift. Sir Walter Scott was primarily responsible for the resurgence of Highland culture in the early 19th century, both in his novels and his organization of the Royal Visit to Scotland by King George IV, in 1822.

Reprinted here, from the 1996 Dunsmuir Highland Games spectator porogram, with permission of Ian Myles, Games Committee.