clan war-cry

**sailortats** · 17th August 12, 12:32 PM

In a book I was given there is a brief passage about some of the clan war-cries. It gives the war-cry for my clan, Stewart, as Creag an sgaraibh.
Could someone give me the translation of this and also, if possible, the proper pronunciation?
Thanks, Phil Payton

**Friday** · 17th August 12, 12:56 PM

familypedia on Clan_Stewart_of_Appin says the war cry is "Creag an Sgaraibh" meaning The Cormorant's Rock. From what I can find The Cormorant's Rock is a feature of the landscape within the Clan Territory.

**creagdhubh** · 17th August 12, 01:06 PM

"Creag an Sgaraibh," translates to "The Cormorant's Rock." As you are aware, this is the war-cry of the Stewarts of Appin. It is pronounced, "craig an ska-ree."

**sailortats** · 17th August 12, 04:40 PM

Thanks for the information guys. But that presents another quirk or problem, not sure which. My book says only that it is the war-cry of the Stewart Clan. It does not specify it as Stewart of Bute. To add to my problem, the clan badge of Stewart of Bute contains a unicorn's head. The Stewart of Galloway contains a cormorant feeding it young. Which would seem to me to relate to the war-cry better than the Unicorn.
I understand that the war-cries usually speak of a natural formation from the clan area.
So I guess I should ask, are Bute and Galloway near enough to one another so that they would both share the rock formation?

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 17th August 12, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by sailortats

Thanks for the information guys. But that presents another quirk or problem, not sure which. My book says only that it is the war-cry of the Stewart Clan. It does not specify it as Stewart of Bute. To add to my problem, the clan badge of Stewart of Bute contains a unicorn's head. The Stewart of Galloway contains a cormorant feeding it young. Which would seem to me to relate to the war-cry better than the Unicorn.
I understand that the war-cries usually speak of a natural formation from the clan area.
So I guess I should ask, are Bute and Galloway near enough to one another so that they would both share the rock formation?

That's a pelican, not a cormorant.

**David Thorpe** · 17th August 12, 05:37 PM

My advice would be to contact one of the several Clan Stewart Associations. If there is a definitive answer, they will be able to tell you.

**figheadair** · 18th August 12, 01:59 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

"Creag an Sgaraibh," translates to "The Cormorant's Rock." As you are aware, this is the war-cry of the Stewarts of Appin. It is pronounced, "craig an ska-ree."

Gaelic pronunciation is always tricky because of the different dialects, albeit that there are fewer now than in the 18th century. I would say 'craig an ska-riv'.

**sailortats** · 18th August 12, 06:59 AM

Thanks for all the replies. I shall be taking this up with one of the Stewarts Associations. MacMillan of Ratrhdown, thanks for saying it is a pelican. I have argued that point with a scotsman before and was told, quite insistently, it was a cormorant. I have always believed it to be a pelican. I guess 2 against 1 makes it officially a pelican.

**creagdhubh** · 18th August 12, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by David Thorpe

My advice would be to contact one of the several Clan Stewart Associations. If there is a definitive answer, they will be able to tell you.

I would recommend this approach as well - go to the source. Best of luck!

**Pleater** · 19th August 12, 04:55 PM

I think the badge is surmounted by 'a Pelican in her piety' - that is a pelican wounding her breast to feed blood to her chicks - which the bird was supposed to do in times of famine.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: