Writing one's clan chief

[Chas]

OK. Thanks Chas, that makes it somewhat clearer, but what if one's chief is holder of a title in the peerage, such as Earl, Marquis, or even Duke?

To quote Debrett's (from p. 90 of Chas's scans):

But on p. 91, when discussing a female chief:

Do I take it, then, that the highest title is the one to go by, even if you're writing the individual in question in their capacity as chief of one's clan?

I cannot say that I am an expert on this, but I think that there is a difference between a clansman writing to his Chief (where it would be Dear Chief (p90)) and you or me writing to some chief or other enquiring about the use of their field for a local horse show. In which case I would use the highest title and their chiefly title together (Your grace the Duke of Dinnerplate, Chief of Clan Teacup).

Like a lot of these things, conventions have evolved over the years through use or lack of use and anomalies arise. Often it is important, but those that need to know, know, and the rest of us just have to get on with it.

Regards

Chas