Which Clan ?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I'd agree with Jock Scot and Oak Ridge Rider: Join the clan society which represents the your closest clan affiliation. Wear their tartan and the clansman's badge of their chief. If that clan society isn't particularly active in your area, there are probably other Scottish clubs and societies that are-- Scottish Country Dancing, Saint Andrew's Societies, SAMS (Scottish American Military Society), etc. to name but a few.

[Am Bàrd]

It's nice to hear form others with English surnames but are of heavy Scotch blood.

I claim the Stewart because it's not only the closet on my Father's side (being through his mother) but also because that's how I was raised. I didn't discover most of the clans on my Mother's side until I did the digging myself and have found a very large pool of clans from which I descend.

In the end I'll claim them all - because that's my blood - but "officially" it's Stewart for me.

[MacBubba45]

I would check out the tartans for each clan.....I know that would be a big influence on my decision !

I've definitely heard of that being a factor. And as cajunscot said see what kind of reception you get at the various clan tents.

[MacBubba45]

It's nice to hear form others with English surnames but are of heavy Scotch blood.

I claim the Stewart because it's not only the closet on my Father's side (being through his mother) but also because that's how I was raised. I didn't discover most of the clans on my Mother's side until I did the digging myself and have found a very large pool of clans from which I descend.

In the end I'll claim them all - because that's my blood - but "officially" it's Stewart for me.

I, too, have an "English" last name, but in Dr. Smith's Tartan For Me he says it's a Glasgow District name, so I have a City Of Glasgow kilt, too! When I wear it around the clan tent (or when I marched with the District Society at GMHG), they holler out "traitor"!

[SteveB]

With clans to choose from or be chosen to, there are some real choices. I would start with the clan that is closest to you on the family vine, and work back from there. Check out the clan website(s), their membership process and rules. Check out the clan tents at the Highland Games or Scottish festivals.

I have the surname "Brown" which is as common as dog stuff on the sidewalk and is the same colour as well. Supposedly a sept of Clan Lamont, but this boy has only Anglo-Saxon stop on to Viking lands by the D.N.A. tests. On my mother's side I have a documented line of MacNeil. So I am active in the Clan MacNeil.

Steve Brown
Piper to the New England Commissioner, Clan MacNeil.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Thanks gents. Both lines I mentioned are my father's. The clans are Forbes, Erskine, Dunbar, Barclay , and maybe Stewart. My surname is Anglo Saxon ( English), and of no help. I don't know how interested I am in joining a society, hadn't thought of it. I'm more interested in clan loyalty, whose banner I should fly, y'know? Wich tartan to wear, which crest to use. Having a bit of an identity crisis.

As others have said, take a look at the tartans! Choose one you like.

I think what matters most is what's important to you. Who do you want to associate yourself with, not just based on tartan.

There you go! Barclay, enough said. Just kidding of course. I do what I can to promote our small clan. If you ever want to discuss Barclay offline, just send me a PM.
The choice is purely your own. The one that is the fewest generations away would probably be the smartest. But no one will ever ask for your pedigree when making purchases of clan items. I'd be curious to hear what you choose.

Barclay....hmmm....that's the one that's not quite as loud as Macleod, lacking the red stripe!

Be well,