PANALBA

The role of the Clan in the 21st century

Malcolm MacGregor 11/12/2011 06:11 AM

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I was recently asked by an an heir to the chiefship of one of the eminent clans of Scotland, ‘what role clans have in the modern world and therefore what role chiefs can have'.

What follows is a shortened version of my reply. In order to understand what chiefs and clans do today, it is necessary to consider how the clan system has evolved over the past 200 years.

The inhabitants of Edinburgh were somewhat aghast in 1822 at Sir Walter Scott's plans to orchestrate a march of highlanders to commemorate the visit of His Majesty George IV. In the great march down the mile to Holyrood in the various groups only two clans took part - as clans. The MacGregors and the Campbells of Breadalbane. An extraordinary thing given that they were mortal enemies for many years. Furthermore, the people of Edinburgh were extremely concerned that these two highland clans should be allowed to parade and march through Edinburgh tooled up, with pipes and banners. The bagpipes being an instrument of war.

However, what is perhaps less well known is that at the Royal Banquet in Holyrood, a large number of chiefs, highland and lowland, assembled for the first time ever. Many of them let bygones be bygones. The Earl of Stair was there, as was the Duke of Argyll and the chief of the MacDonalds. All of them were descendants of the protagonists of the Glencoe massacre. In fact many clans had fallen foul of the Duke of Argyll and Marquis of Breadalbane. But, in the spirit of reconciliation, the past was the past.

In 1822 Sir Evan MacGregor became chief of the MacGregors. Some 2500 Macgregors signed the affirmation of his chiefship - a remarkable number. Why did they do that when the old clan system had brought considerable misery and destitution? Perhaps they were looking to the chief for something else - not a rerun of history. In the same year the Clan Gregor Society was established for the education of young boys. Indeed Sir Evan's opening remarks at the first AGM were prescient and along the lines of ‘ Clan animosities must end, we must build friendships and look to the future'. (Where have I heard that before?). Many clans got together to form societies for charitable purposes. This was a novel way of using the clan system for an admirable end. And one which endures today.

The high Victorian era of prosperity saw the evolution of Scottish societies from Africa to India to Australia, to Hong Kong and crucially to the USA. Robert Burns and St.Andrew's formed the majority of them. Many of those societies were the forerunners of today's clan societies which are dotted all over the world. The Scots people who travelled and populated the world took the clan system with them - but in a very different guise to that of the highlands of 100 years previous.

The love of the Highlands by Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg put this region firmly on the map. Their enthusiasm was the driving force in the quest for knowledge of the highlands, its culture and heritage by many ‘tourists'. Kenneth Macleay's book ‘The Highlanders of Scotland' produced in 1863 was a seminal work. Commissioned by Queen Victoria it was one of the first attempts to define the character of the highlanders and their clans through paintings, drawings and text. The text was written by a woman - Miss Amelia MacGregor, a diligent and accomplished historian. In addition to English, she was fluent in Gaelic, French and German. Scots have always been good linguists.

Moving on to the two world wars. Many people around the world are fascinated by the exploits of the famous 51st Highland Division whose regiments wore the clan tartans of their founders. Linked to that fine organisation were the Scottish regiments of Canada and South Africa. Within them were men whose ancestors hailed from the highlands and lowlands of Scotland. The links amongst scots families around the world were not just forged in business and empire building but in war. And so it is today in Afghanistan with Scottish Regiments under the command of Americans. And with Americans working in Scottish Regiments.

World War 2 produced a remarkable set of leaders amongst clan chiefs and heads of families, uniquely in the new field of special forces. Lord Lovat founded the Commandos. David Stirling and his brother Bill Stirling of Keir were founders of the SAS, 70 years ago. Michael Crichton-Stuart was one of the founders of the Long Range Desert Group. Not forgetting, Sir Fitzroy Maclean of Dunconnel, who was Churchill's personal emissary to Tito in Yugoslavia and served in the SAS. There were many others, who although not chiefs or heads of families, were remarkable clansmen in their own right, such as General Roy Urquhart who commanded the British 6th Airborne Division at the ill fated battle of Arnhem. The most recent award of a VC to a highlander was to Sergeant Ian Mackay of 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment in the war to recapture the Falkland islands in 1982.

Whilst the past is the past, the fact is that many people are interested in clan history and the fortunes of their clansmen and women. For that reason it is important to remember events and characters such as those referred to above. Clan Societies and chiefs do just that. What I have tried to show is the evolution of the clan system based around clanship and people. It is a system that is alive and functioning today in many areas, particularly tourism, history and culture and education.

Dealing with tourism first. Most clan societies have an annual gathering in Scotland, often in a rural location. Such gatherings give a well needed economic boosts to the locality. About 100 MacThomas' gathered in remote Glenshee this year. Establishments like the Macdonald Centre at Armadale bring hundreds of people to the Isle of Skye. The Armstrong Museum in Langholm brings many people to that Dumfriesshire town.

Second, history and culture. Many societies have contributed thousands of pounds over the years in assistance to youngsters learning to play the pipes and other musical instruments. MacGregors, Maclarens, Macnabs, Stewarts of Ardvorlich and other local families contribute to community events such as the Lochearnhead Games. Highland Games need the support of clans to survive. Macdonalds and Camerons contribute by their presence at Arisaig Games or Glenfinnan in Lochaber. Many clansmen and women are carrying out research on culture and history around the world - some to PHD level. Then they pass that knowledge on to a younger generation.

Third education. Many societies were formed for this specific purpose. I don't know how many have been helped in education over the years but it must be a substantial number. Multiply that by 150 clan societies and one can see the potential. Burns and St. Andrews's societies also contributed much needed funds to this field.

The clans in whatever regions they gather or assemble, have an impact on the local economy, culture and history. This is a huge area of importance and one that is being analysed by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. But this is not confined to Scotland.

I have been to countless events in the USA and elsewhere as the representative of Clan Gregor, in places my ancestors would never have thought possible. I have forged relationships with many people, particularly in the USA and in South Africa. I don't think people realise how strong the relationship is amongst active chiefs and what is known as the diaspora. Lord Caithness, is chief emeritus of the Greenville Scottish Games and has already done three trips to the USA this year. He is also the prime mover in raising funds for Sinclair castle or Girnigoe in Caithness. Donald Maclaren of Maclaren has been to two major Scottish Games in the USA this year. Romilly Squire, secretary of the Standing Council has been to three Scottish Games in the USA. Alexander Brodie of Brodie has spent two weeks in Australia. There really is a tight bond between us all, and the active chiefs are the leaders in all this.

This was demonstrated in 2009 when the standing council organised the first ever clan convention for some 400 clansmen and chiefs in the Scottish Parliament. The day was planned and conducted by Danus Skene of Skene, himself an education professional. There was wide coverage in the media and all of it was positive.

As a result of that convention and our interaction with Government and Visit Scotland, there are clan chiefs on a number of tourist committees and on the strategy group for homecoming 2014. There is no doubt that there is now a general willingness on the part of government and various agencies to engage with chiefs and clans. Indeed, at local level this has been going on for years.

The re-invention or re-creation of the clans has been a good thing and is a natural evolution or progression of the clan system. The key dynamic in today's world is the international aspect, which has grown inexorably due to the internet, relatively cheap air travel and improved communications; making chiefs in particular much more accessible.

The detractors will always claim that the romantic identification with the clans is what drives all this. And there is probably some truth in that. It has been endemic in the clan system since 1822 and was promoted by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. But it is pretty harmless and does actually attract many people to the clans. People are looking for something colourful and exotic which may contrast with their hard working day to day lives. When Campbells from all over the world descend on Inveraray Castle, they are entering a different world and feel themselves going back in history. It is a strong feeling for many and should not be taken lightly. This is because even today in 2011, there are Scots at home and overseas forming societies for the common good, just as they always have done.