Are you REALLY Celtic?

[Cawdorian]

As usual, I'm the exception to the rule, the big toes are slightly longer than the next toe. However, I have a redheaded aunt, a red headed sister, a red headed first cousin, two red headed nieces and a red headed stepchild. My complexion is light with freckles with a red beard. The DNA says my ancestry is Ultra Norse.

Several of the Scottish clans are of Norse descent. Does this mean I'm not a Celt?

Gil, I just know you are going to be able to sort this out.

[gilmore]

...
Gil, I just know you are going to be able to sort this out.

It's not really in need of sorting out.

As you know, your Y DNA follows your patrilineal ancestry---your father's father's father's father, etc.---There are many of us who descend from both the Celts, (whose Y DNA is usually R1a) as well as the Norse, who invaded and settled in the north of Scotland and the Hebrides.

Edit: Ooops, the most common Y DNA haplogroup among the Irish, Welsh, and Scots is R1b, not R1a. It is thought to have come up the Atlantic coast to the British Isles from the Iberian peninsula after the last ice age, where it developed.

The further back in time we go, the smaller percentage of our total ancestry our Y DNA represents.

[BoldHighlander]

On the subject of the Norse influence upon Scottish DNA, here is an article that some might find of interest:

-- The Norse Code --

"Are you a MacDonald herding sheep on your lonely croft? A MacDougall commuting home from your office job? Or even a MacAlister living a quiet but humdrum life?

If so, there is every possibility that lurking in your body is the genetic fingerprint of one of Scotland's greatest warriors - a fearsome man capable of tearing the heart out of a Viking foe.

An Oxford University scientist has traced the Y-chromosome, which determines maleness, of the founder of Clan Donald - the great Somerled of Argyll, who was born around 1100 and drove out the Viking invaders..."

read the full article at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...cles/norse.htm

[Cawdorian]

It's not really in need of sorting out.

There are many of us who descend from both the Celts, (whose Y DNA is usually R1a) as well as the Norse,

The Haplogroup for the Norse Y DNA is I1a. Many of the males from the British Isles and Scotland are R1b.

DNA is a very interesting subject, at first glance it appears to be very complex and complicated because of the large numbers of markers considered. Once you understand the concept of Haplogroups (R1a, I1a, R1b, etc.) it is actually quite simple. The various Haplogroups pinpoint the geographical origin of your original male ancestor. The values of the various markers will help pinpoint your original family.

The study of Somerled's DNA is quite interesting.