Stone Mountain Highland Games 2010

[Ryan Ross]

I am rather puzzled by this suggestion.
Is there a hereditary Chief of the clan who has been recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms?
If not does the clan have Scottish Armigers who have been recognised and granted their authority by him?

From all that I've ever heard, the Wild Highlanders claim some sort of recognition by Lord Lyon, but whenever seriously questioned on the matter, I've never heard a one give any elaboration on the nature of their "recognition".

No offence to any of those folks, but I frankly don't put much stock in most of what they say- the "history" lessons that they give on such topics as "traditional Scottish martial arts" and "putting on the great kilt" tick their credibility down pretty far, in my book.

[turpin]

I am rather puzzled by this suggestion.
Is there a hereditary Chief of the clan who has been recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms?
If not does the clan have Scottish Armigers who have been recognised and granted their authority by him?

Frankly, Gentlemen, I experienced some trepidation about including that information in my post because I more than half-expected this response from some of you, and you have met my expectations. Here is a quote from their website.

"The Wild Highlanders Coat of Arms or Armorial Bearings


When our Clan was founded a coat of Arms was fashioned as well as the Chiefs Shield, which was used to hang upon the wall of the castle where he was called to attend court to show his presence. Our Coat of Arms is in the heraldic traditions Great Britian. They were created by Patrick Brown for the Clan and were sent to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom for her to review. Who passed them to the Lord Lyon In Scotland, King Of Arms."

Clearly, this does not claim that the Lord Lyon recognied them as a Clan, so my OP [I]may[I] have been inaccurate. Not having independently contacted the Lord Lyon to clarify the situation, I won't comment further. Regardless of the verity of the matter, they are a group of good people who valued and honored my daughter in a way that she will always cherish, and THAT is the reason I shared this series of photos here.

From all that I've ever heard, the Wild Highlanders claim some sort of recognition by Lord Lyon, but whenever seriously questioned on the matter, I've never heard a one give any elaboration on the nature of their "recognition".

No offence to any of those folks, but I frankly don't put much stock in most of what they say- the "history" lessons that they give on such topics as "traditional Scottish martial arts" and "putting on the great kilt" tick their credibility down pretty far, in my book.

Ryan, did you ever question them yourself, or is this second-hand information? And regarding their "lessons", one man's history is another man's fiction, especially where there is no direct documentation. I don't always agree with all their history either. However, the Wild Highlanders provide good entertainment at the games they attend, and are probably disproportionaltely responsible for getting people interested in their heritage and ancestry. They do it because they love doing it. It doesn't support them. Even with appearance fees and product sales they generally don't even fully cover their costs, and all have other jobs or careers.

I am reminded again why I don't post much anymore.

[Zardoz]

Frankly, Gentlemen, I experienced some trepidation about including that information in my post because I more than half-expected this response from some of you, and you have met my expectations. /
I am reminded again why I don't post much anymore.

Yeah Turpin, I saw that one coming.
I've amassed a big mental list of things that I exercise a lot of discretion discussing or even photographing on the forum. Anything related to arms or family crests is potentially inflammatory! My circumspection in this has gone as far as painting stuff out of photos.

Keep in mind, when discussing a group like the Wild Highlanders, you are talking about people having fun celebrating their heritage. Keep in mind you are trying to talk about having fun to some people that don't seem to get the concept!

Hang in there!

[Ryan Ross]

Ryan, did you ever question them yourself, or is this second-hand information? And regarding their "lessons", one man's history is another man's fiction, especially where there is no direct documentation. I don't always agree with all their history either. However, the Wild Highlanders provide good entertainment at the games they attend, and are probably disproportionaltely responsible for getting people interested in their heritage and ancestry. They do it because they love doing it. It doesn't support them. Even with appearance fees and product sales they generally don't even fully cover their costs, and all have other jobs or careers.

Turpin, I have indeed questioned several of the Wild Highlanders on this point myself. I never met with anything but evasive and vague claims in responce- with one exception; one of my very good friends is himself a Wild Highlander, and is in no way convinced of the reality of any of their official reccognition.

Further, I have met with rude and arrogant behavior at the hands of individual members of the Wild Highlanders on several occasions, while giving them no cause for such.

I don't bare anyone any ill will at all, Turpin. But I do take matters of integrity very seriously. And as a history teacher, I take the presentation of historical material very seriously. The Wild Highlanders are in a unique position to inform a captive audience on historical matters- if their historical ideas are not based in solid research, they are doing their audience a disservice.

On the subject of your daughter's induction into the Wild Highlanders, I am very, very happy for her. It is clear that this gesture meant the world to her, and with such actions, the Wild Highlanders do a great credit to their organization.

Once again Turpin, I mean to offend no one, least of all you or your daughter; I only commented as I did in the interest of hopefully shedding some light on the questions posed (and only based on my own experience).

Keep in mind you are trying to talk about having fun to some people that don't seem to get the concept!

Please, good sir, remember that one man's idea of fun is not always another's.