clan associations

**LANCER1562** · 17th December 09, 03:35 AM

I'm planning to join the Clan Kerr Society as soon as I have the funds. Clan gatherings are in So. Carolina, so a bit far to travel right now. Maybe someday.

**Paul** · 17th December 09, 03:51 AM

Oh by the way... one thing I don't get is - there's a lot of clan society's per continent. Does this not conflict with the one, main, authentic worldwide (often Scottish-based) clan societies?

**Sir William** · 17th December 09, 04:33 AM

Originally Posted by Paul.

Oh by the way... one thing I don't get is - there's a lot of clan society's per continent. Does this not conflict with the one, main, authentic worldwide (often Scottish-based) clan societies?

Paul,

I can't answer for all the clans, but this assumption certainly does not apply to the Elliots.

The Elliots have one clan society, created in 1977 by Sir Arthur Eliott, 11th Baronet of Stobs and Laird of Redheugh, the Clan's late hereditary Chief, and headquartered at Redheugh in Scotland.

The Clan Elliot Society has branches in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

We join our national branch, but that also includes membership in the international clan society.

**SteveB** · 17th December 09, 05:30 AM

Paul.

Most, but unfortunately not all, the family named societies recognize each other and welcome members of each others society across the national boundaries.

When the Clan MacNeil associations get together at Barra, Scotland next year, the fact that I am a member of the U.S. based organisation is not a factor. We will be coming together to honour our Clan Chief (only one!) although there are several clan society presidents. (Alba, Canada, U.S., Australia, etc.)

This is common in all but a very few clan associations. There are several reasons that this has become practical. First is the finances would be a nightmare if all dues and disbursements were to be funneled in GBP through a treasurer in Scotland. Setting up events in the U.S. would take forever in terms of paying for tent space and putting together the gatherings. In some of the clan associations, a portion of the dues collected in the (outside Scotland) association is forwarded to the main association (usually based in Scotland), and as such, one is a member of the Clan association in total as well as the more local organisation.

The hope is to keep alive the ties of the early clans, and the history of Scotland.

**Paul** · 17th December 09, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by Sir William

Paul,

I can't answer for all the clans, but this assumption certainly does not apply to the Elliots.

The Elliots have one clan society, created in 1977 by Sir Arthur Eliott, 11th Baronet of Stobs and Laird of Redheugh, the Clan's late hereditary Chief, and headquartered at Redheugh in Scotland.

The Clan Elliot Society has branches in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

We join our national branch, but that also includes membership in the international clan society.

That sounds just about right.
I've heard a lot of stories of random "clan members" starting societies with no given authority from the "main clan" body... I've heard of the continental clans e.g. North American getting quite a membership going and then a lot of conflict is caused between these societies and the main society because no approval was given initially.

**Livingston** · 17th December 09, 06:55 AM

Paul, Our Chief invited members of the forum at www.clanlivingstone.info to start the associtation. He then worked with us to set it up. There was already an ANZAC association set up and the plan is to, at some time in the future, have the one we just set up as the "headquarters" and other associations in various regions. That way we can do as StevB and Sir William indicate, be the guide for all clan related activities.

**Jock Scot** · 17th December 09, 05:04 AM

No I am not a member of my Clan association as it all seems a bit artificial to me.

**dadgad** · 17th December 09, 05:25 AM

I'm an associate member of clan MacLaren through scouting, and just joined clan MacKay via a connection through my mother (a McKee).

**Sir William** · 17th December 09, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

No I am not a member of my Clan association as it all seems a bit artificial to me.

Jock,

I can certainly understand that.

I think most of us who do not live in Scotland join a clan association (society, etc) to celebrate our Scottish heritage. Those who live in Scotland don't have that need - it is all around them.

When I attended my clan gathering this summer I noticed that most of the Scots had a different perception of the "clan" than those of us who were of Scottish descent and living outside of Scotland (or even the UK). Most seemed to be of the opinion that they were an Elliot (or Armstrong, MacDonald, Fraser, etc) by birth, heritage and geography, and didn't need to wear a bit of tartan or formally join a group to prove it. I've no issue with that - and if I lived in Scotland I'd probably feel much the same as they do. But I live in the US and joining a clan association or society is a nice way to celebrate my Scottish heritage with others of like mind.

**Flag Folder** · 22nd December 09, 11:45 PM

I just received a letter from Clan Guthrie asking me if I would like to represent the Clan at Highland Games in southern California. I suppose that means manning the booth and all that. I'm not sure that I want to take that step and make work out of attending the games.

:ootd: