Clan tent suggestions needed

[Nathan]

Good photos! The cromach always get me. Why the cromach?

I always noted that Maj. Gen. Sir Athol Blair Alasdair MacCrumbly-Biscuit of MacCrumbly-Biscuit alays seems to have one at the highland games (along with a car blanket in the ancient MacCrumbly-Biscuit tartan over his shoulder).

I have to say that one of the things that surprises me is how people seem to look up to the clan chiefs. Although it's not always the case, has everyone forgotten about the likes of the clearances? The manner in which clan chiefs often treated the ordinary people of 'their clans'?

Do the majority really much have in common with the Fettes and Oxbridge educated clan chief? Of course that's not always the case but t does make me wonder.

MacKenzie asks why I wear a kilt. In fact, I wear one much less nowadays but that's just because I find it uncomfortable in the heat and humidity of where I live. But 30 years ago when still in Scotland I was playing in two pipe bands and also did solo piping work and I was wearing the kilt perhaps four or even times a week.

I also dropped out of the local St Andrews Society a long time ago. I couldn't be bothered with the , "oh yes I was born in London, but my mother's, aunt's, second sister's half cousin had a grandmother whose grandfather came from Berwick....hmm.....it was in Scotland then wasn't it?" type of person. Either that or it was someone who thought wearing a Rangers top and letting loose with bigoted rants was an appropriate way of showing one's Scottishness (change that for a Celtic top if it's your wish).

I also worked in two shops in The Lawnmarket when younger, mainly bagpipes but all sort of highland wear and even tourist tat was for sale.

I have to confess however that when I do return to Scotland these days, I love to do what I am sure many tourists do, because in some ways maybe that's what I have also become......visiting castles, etc. etc. However my main like back home is for the tranquility, a lack of polluted air and I love to do some fishing.

I'm anything but anti-kilt, I just like it worn in the right way and on the right occasion and I find it amusing to see some of the outfits out there....especially the ones with clan everything.....kiltpins, cap badges, tie clips, a signet ring, clan tie, tartan flashes etc. etc.
I would however confess that when I return to Sc

Well Ron,

You ask some fair questions and I've given them some thought over the years. Here's where I am at the moment.

The cromach is a) very comfortable to lean on when you're on your feet all day and b) a symbol of leadership. It's a traditional accessory for far more than the chiefs. I'm the Commissioner of Clan Donald Southern Ontario and so I view that position as a representative of the Chiefs to the clan and of the local clan to the Chiefs. I try to make the MacDonalds etc... that come to my tent proud of the legacy of their clan and connected to their cultural inheritance. I find dressing traditionally - cromach and all - helps me achieve that.

I can't speak for everyone, but I've given the question of the chiefs a lot of thought. I come from an area that was populated by the Highland clearances and we are acutely aware of their role in our exile. And no, I don't have a whole lot in common with the Eton and Oxford educated class of clan chief, except for one thing...we're family. See, I'm not in the grudge business. You have to take a long view of history. The current living chiefs were not responsible for the clearances. Certainly their ancestors were, but the Crown was equally responsible for stripping them of their clan system and making them into feudal landlords with such high tax obligations. The Clearances were horrible and must not be forgotten, but forgiveness is a virtue. But while I'm remembering that this Chief's ancestor was responsible for a Clearance, I also remember that another of his ancestors raised the banner for Prince Charlie and another one of his ancestors stood beside the Bruce at Bannockburn and another of his ancestors established the Gaelic civilization that was the Lordship of the Isles. Those people are my ancestors too. So while I certainly don't idolize the chiefs, the peers, the aristocracy or even the Monarchy for that matter, I respect that life looks different depending where you're standing and what circumstances you're facing. At the end of the day, you have to take the good with the bad. They inherit both the sins and the great deeds of their fathers but they get a fair shot as unique human beings in their own right.

If a Chief devotes his time and effort to the clan and its legacy, he deserves respect for that. He is the head of the family and if he doesn't abuse that position but treats it like a responsibility, he is worthy of some degree of loyalty. The Finlaggan Council, the Armadale Centre on Skye, the Clan Donald Lands Trust, The Galley Aileach, The Clanranald Trust for Scotland are some of the ways my chiefs are doing their duty to the clan, so I'm doing mine.

I feel the same way about grudges against so called rival clans for the most part. Most rivals were also brothers in arms on different battlefields at different times. We can choose to focus on our differences like the Rangers and Celtic fans you referenced, or we can focus on the times when we were at our best and aspire to be great and united once again.

I certainly don't mean to downplay the Clearances or atrocities, but I have to think that notwithstanding the suffering those emigrants had to endure, I kind of won the lottery. I was born and raised in Canada at this time in history and that does not in any way suck. I also grew up on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia aka the Western-most Island in the Hebrides. Life wasn't easy for the generations of coal miners, farmers and fisherman that made their way here, but it was no easier for many back in Scotland and given the number of Scots that keep coming in this direction and the fact that precious few Canadians are headed in the other direction, I can only be so angry about the decision.

As for amusing outfits on people, it's a good thing xmarks is here or many would have nothing but vendors to go by...I've seen just as many funny outfits on native born Scots as I have diaspora Scots but I try to lead by example and speak kindly because a) they're only clothes and it's the man wearing them that matters and b) If a man is proud enough of his heritage to step out in a kilt and deserves fellowship and brotherhood more than snobbery and derisiveness. He'll figure out the details later, or he won't and I won't lose a wink of sleep over it.

I guess there's no need for a cromach when you have to carry a set of bagpipes, but since I don't play pipes, it gives me something to do with my hands. ;)

[Jock Scot]

Jock Scot, you may get a little more clan participation than you're used to at the Inverness games. I saw the newly formed AHCS (association of highland clans and societies) will be in attendance. They may have multiple clans involved but don't be too alarmed because I'm sure the Clan members will be Scots with a Scottish perspective.

Thank you for that. Actually I think the one you are talking about is not the one I am planning to go to! Apparently there are two Games in Inverness this year and yes, it does show that I hardly keep up to date with these things! Anyway, I am planning on going to the one on the 19th of this month to meet up with our very own Alan H.

[Jock Scot]

Ron Abbott.

I can see what you are saying, but when all said and done the admittedly seemingly outdated cromach wielding, blanket clad, Clan Chief is all part and parcel of the Highland games scene---it is theatre after all----- and personally, I think it would be a poorer event without them. As a cromach wielder myself and I have done it all my adult my life, I have to say that they do have genuine practical uses and even more so at my time of life!