Hail to the Chief of Clan Scott

[EagleJCS]

I notice the lack of hyphens. I thought that may be the explanation.

Incidentally, haven't the Scott and Buccleuch titles passed through the female line, Ann(e?) Scott being the sole heiress and being married off to James, son of Charles II and Lucy Walters, who adopted the name of James Scott?

Whittakers has a list of family names of peers with the relevant title, and the Duke appears under M for MDS, not S.

Yes, Anne Scott (maybe Anna) succeeded to the title Countess of Buccleuch on her sister's death in 1661. When she married James, Duke of Monmouth (a.k.a. James Crofts or James Fitzroy, illegitimate but recognized son of Charles II and his mistress Lucy Walters) in 1663, they were created the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch. He took the surname Scott when they married. She was created Duchess in her own right (largely due to her wealth and property holdings), and was thus unaffected by James' attainder in 1685.

From what I understand of titles, etc., Buccleuch is a "Scott title", as you put it. 'Buccleuch' is simply the way one refers to a Duke (by his title), just as one would refer to 'Montrose' or 'Argyll'. It's not the family name (though some members of Clan Scott do have the surname Buccleuch or variants - Buckalew, etc.).

'Scott of Buccleuch' is the senior line of Clan Scott. The cadet branches are (from the Clan Scott Society FAQ): 'Scotts of Harden, Scotts of Balwearie, Scotts of Raeburn, Scotts of Thirlestane, Scotts of Tynedale, Scotts of Ancrum, Scotts of Synton, and Scotts of Scotstarvet, Goudilands, Gala, Melby, Malleny, Dunninald, and many more'. BTW, Lord Polwarth is a Scott of Harden, so not all "Scott titles" belong to Scott of Buccleuch.

Again, from what I've read in the Clan Scott Society newsletter, the late 9th Duke preferred the surname Scott to the full 'MDS', and that is what the family now use, though on their legal paperwork they may still have the 'MDS' name.

[JonathanB]

Which Scott tartan did you choose Jonathan: Red (seen in my avatar), Green or Hunting (brown)?

The red. I have a Hunting tartan (Cornish) and a Black Watch, and I thought I wanted a change from tasteful green. So I looked at reds, for which my friendly kilt maker had samples, and it was down to Scott (modern) and Robertson.

I like the white stripe in Scott so I went for that. I've read most of Sir Walter's novels, and intend to read the rest in the next few months, plus The Lady of the Lake and The Lay of the Last Minstrel, so I hope any Scott will not be offended by my choice of their tartan, given my devotion to their most famous literary member.

[AKScott]

The red. I have a Hunting tartan (Cornish) and a Black Watch, and I thought I wanted a change from tasteful green. So I looked at reds, for which my friendly kilt maker had samples, and it was down to Scott (modern) and Robertson.

I like the white stripe in Scott so I went for that. I've read most of Sir Walter's novels, and intend to read the rest in the next few months, plus The Lady of the Lake and The Lay of the Last Minstrel, so I hope any Scott will not be offended by my choice of their tartan, given my devotion to their most famous literary member.

Well, you have a good story to go with it. It has been said before you don't have to have Scottish blood in your veins as long as you have a drop of Scottish in your heart. Thank you for choosing our sett for a reason other than "it was pretty," much appreciated.

I am not quite sure of the title you get, I am cousins with EagleJCS (above) Riverkilt and SevenOaks that I know of here.

I think I will go with "adopted cousin" and shorthand that "cousin" until advised otherwise by folks more up on these things than me. I have made this decision because I am number 247,894,966 in line for the crown of England...

Cousin, did you go with Locharron, House of Edgar or other for the red? I have swatches of the red from both LA and HOE, not an easy decision.

[JonathanB]

Thanks, cousin AK. That's really good to hear. The tartan is Marton Mills. Yes, I know it's woven in England, but it was the only one available. And from where I was born, Yorkshire (where MM is based) is farrrr North. (I see where you are is postively Arctic by comparison.)