Daz,

Just because a clan society is based in Scotland doesn't mean that it is "better" than one based in North America. I have seen good and bad societies in both Scotland and North America, and many times, the North American society is a branch of the Scottish society, with a represenative of the Chief/Society President appointed to represent the society in the "colonies". Many clan/family societies have no base in Scotland because none have been organized, so the folks overseas take it upon themselves -- and many Chiefs live in the US, Canada, Australia, etc. because of the diaspora.

COSCA is primarily a "networking" organisation for clan societies, and provides limited genealogical information for those at Highland Games looking to find some "connection" to a clan.

You mentioned the Singh tartan: Lord Singh designed the tartan not as a money-maker, but as a way for the newest immigrants to Scotland, the South Asian Sikhs, as a way to identify their heritage and show their pride in being Scottish residents as well. Lord Singh is a devotee of Robert Burns and had had his poems translated into Punjabi.

No offence, just a differing opinion there...your posts are always thought-provoking! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd