Clan adoption

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Thanks for the thoughts thus far gentlemen... To reiterate, though: JSFMACLJR: you seem to be referring to a historical situation (which is fine -- I like history) but it doesn't seem to me that it would happen nowadays. As for you Phil, you obviously speaking of the clan societies today. Without commenting on whether or not your position is tenable, let me ask this as a followup question: Is there such thing as a clan outside its clan society?

Two rather quick points:

The first being that to my sure and certain knowledge "bonds of manrent" still exist, and are regularly exercised by Scots, in Scotland, who wish to prove an absolute right to clanship where none may exist in either an historical (sept-- an associated name) or biological (clan name) sense. I would refer you to page 28 of the COLLINS SCOTTISH CLAN AND FAMILY ENCYCLOPEDIA by George Way of Plean and Romilly Squire (now of Rubislaw) for a full explanation.

Of course one can be a member of a clan without belonging to the the clan society. One merely has to express loyalty to the chief of the clan, display the chief's badge, and respect the Laws of Heraldry as enforced by the Court of the Lord Lyon. This is, always has been, and continues to be, the most common way of showing that one is part of a clan. Membership in a clan society (highly to be encouraged) is merely a bonus for being a clansman and, as far I know, not a requirement of any clan.