American Clan Chiefs

[kilted2000]

My clan connection is with the Clan Urquhart. One interesting fact about this clan is that its chief is an American. As was his father and grandfather. Have you ever heard of other American or non-Scottish clan chiefs? More information about the Urquhart chief can be found in the link below.

http://www.clanurquhart.org/?page_id=526

[Troglodyte]

I have heard such 'transgressions' qualified by 'The better the breeding, the worse the crime.'

But that is somewhat subjective.

Sartorial traditions and conventions are established to protect us from each other, so we don't cause offence or embarassment, and to help the sense of occasion when appropriate. If a clan chief falls below what his clan might expect from him, a kindly word to set his straight might be appreciated. But being the chief does not excuse him from making the effort, nor make what he does 'correct'.

There seems to be a number of non-Scots chiefs - the Duke of Atholl is South African, and Robertson of Struan has Jamaican connections and there are some whose family has been south of the border for generations. So for the chief of Clan Urquhart to be American is perhaps not so exceptional.

Is he, or will he become, actively involved with the clan?

[Troglodyte]

I've just read through the Clan Urquhart link.

From your query, I got the impression the chief was newly found, and a novice to the ways of the kilt.

But no.

His profile shows he is setting an excellent example to his clan, and they would be rightly justified to have pride in him. His outfit pictured seems fine, and it would be churlish to find fault. Nothing about his appearance troubles my sometimes critical eyes...

[kilted2000]

I've just read through the Clan Urquhart link.

From your query, I got the impression the chief was newly found, and a novice to the ways of the kilt.

But no.

His profile shows he is setting an excellent example to his clan, and they would be rightly justified to have pride in him. His outfit pictured seems fine, and it would be churlish to find fault. Nothing about his appearance troubles my sometimes critical eyes...

I wasn’t trying to imply anything about his dress personally. I was just wondering hypothetically about it in my sleep-deprived state. I’m sorry if I misled anyone.

[Father Bill]

You didn't say specifically that there was a problem with your chief's attire, but it was implied and suggested by the grammatical syntax of your post. If there is something you find unacceptable, what is it please, and if not, let's clarify.

I am relatively good at this but far, far from being an expert. To me he looks fine as shown in the link you provided. I've not seen a sporran like that before, but that's likely much a matter of taste I'd imagine.

[kilted2000]

You didn't say specifically that there was a problem with your chief's attire, but it was implied and suggested by the grammatical syntax of your post. If there is something you find unacceptable, what is it please, and if not, let's clarify.

I am relatively good at this but far, far from being an expert. To me he looks fine as shown in the link you provided. I've not seen a sporran like that before, but that's likely much a matter of taste I'd imagine.

I have no problems with what he is wearing. I will edit my original post to correct any misunderstandings.

[figheadair]

Have you ever heard of other American or non-Scottish clan chiefs?

MacBain
MacLaine of Lochbuie
MacNeal

[ASinclair]

....Have you ever heard of other American or non-Scottish clan chiefs?....

http://www.clanurquhart.org/?page_id=526

Morrison (New Hampshire, USA)

[Macman]

I am a bit behind the times, for I see that Kenneth Trist Urquhart passed away about nine years ago. His picture is in a book I have on Scotch whisky. The chief of Clan Mackintosh currently lives outwith Scotland, and the chief of Clan Chattan is resident in New Zealand, I believe. We are truly becoming a global community.