This topic has wandered into many areas..

I am an American, a part of that "New World". I also live in a nation that is just shy of four hundred years of its beginnings as a colony of the Crown.
I am the president of two lineage societies here in the U.S. One is The National Society of Old Plymouth Colony Descendants. It is made up of those who can trace their ancestry back to someone who settled in Plymouth Colony whether voluntarily or otherwise. The second is the Piscataqua Pioneers, which are descendants of the settlers of the Piscataqua River valley, whether voluntarily or otherwise, before the colonies separated from the Crown. As Americans are a hodge podge of lineage in the great Melting Pot, many seek to understand where their roots came from. Our research takes us outside the boundaries of North America rather rapidly to some "Old Country".

I have a Highland Scot ancestor that was sold for 3 pounds, 3 shillings, 2 pence at York, Maine in the 1600's. I would hope someday to find out how close to Jock Scot is the home he was taken from. I also hope to be able to identify who he actually is and from what clan he was taken prisoner. The real history that I find in the documents of the victors paints a very different picture than most Americans have been given from the Victorian Era mythology. I hope to retire with enough life and energy to make as many trips to the United Kingdom as it takes to learn the truth. I do so with an open mind.

In chasing our ancestral roots, many who have possible Scot connections, look to the clan societies and the clan genealogist to help us further our understanding of those early ancestors. The clan societies need funds to pursue these endeavours. Some Americans fund this through the membership in multiple clan societies to further their genealogical quest. PLEASE NOTE, I stated clan societies. I did not say clan. The dues, to the clan society, is our way of paying for the resource. For this reason, I do pay dues to Clan Lamont, as I may find the patralineal link in their genealogical work.

I have documented the genealogy on my mother's side of the family back to a family MacNeil. It is through this research and that of the Clan MacNeil Association genealogist that I have established a blood line that goes back to Alba. We were definitely lackeys in the clan. I have no blood to a chief. As this is the only truly proven line to Alba, I will proudly wear the MacNeil tartan, pay the dues, and work my backside off at the clan tent at the New Hampshire Highland Games this September.

Phil,
With all of this in mind, I will not be at the Gathering. I do feel that it is more pomp and not much more in it that I can do from this side of the salt puddle.
I have cheerfully spent over 2,000 pounds on my Highland kit and related items of Scot origin. I will at some time in the near future, when my tutor says that I am ready, spend some thousand or more on my Highland Bagpipes.

The cultural traditions of Scotland are perceived by many Americans when observing pipe bands in parades and at celebrations, as well as any gent wearing the kilt. It is therefore incumbent on me when I put on my Highland kit and strike up the pipes, that I do so with respect and honour the cultural realm of today's Scotland. The inherent worth of my ancestors demands nothing less.

Slainte