historical reality. Edward Dwelly (who considered himself an authority) considered clan to be children or descendants or a tribe. He was arguably more than a little vague.
The foundations for the English definition owes more to 19th and 20th
century attempts to rationalize clan society for the masses and
exploit the commercial side of Scotland's history rather than
historical reality. Edward Dwelly (who considered himself an authority) considered clan to be children or descendants or a tribe. He was arguably more than a little vague.
Clanns, for that is the true Gaelic spelling, can best be understood with a brief look at three different types of clann. Firstly there are the type which formed major groups within Scotland. Secondly, slightly less influential and smaller clanns. And finally, the smallest type of clann which denotes little more than immediate family groups.
Major power holders in clann history are exemplified by the Campbells, Donalds, Gordons, Mackenzies and Clann Chatten. All of these clanns dominated vast tracts of Scotland, crushing and absorbing smaller clanns and exercised a large degree of influence on their neighbours' affairs. However large these clanns became they were still based originally on family connections. In political terms a small oligarchy with a, sorry ladies, male chief at the head.
The Frasers, Gunns, MacPhersons and MacLeods are good examples of the second category. These clanns held influence in much the same way as the major powerholding clanns, but over smaller areas and over less people. However, the patriarchal basis of the clann was unchanged.
The third category refers to family groups. This category never held, or aspired to, political influence and in a Scottish context gave meaning to what sociologists now call self supporting kinship groups. Quite simply, an extended family. An excellent example would be Clann na H'Oidche - Clan of the Night, a family of Morrisons who lived on Mull. Perhaps some readers familiar with the Hindu caste system are by now drawing a comparison. If so, then sorry, you are wrong.
Clanns were not, are not based on a single religion. Nor, was it impossible to raise ones status within a clann. Similarly, a comparison with a simple feudal society is inaccurate because individual clanns had a centralized decision making mechanism and can all claim different ethnic ancestors. Picts, Britons, Normans, Irish and Dalriadic Scots are among the originators of the clanns. Professor T.C. Smout of St. Andrews University suggests that clanns in the Highlands were based on kinship tempered by feudalism. Sorry Professor, still a little vague.
Each clann was effectively a small society with a different organization operating in a distinct geographical area. Perhaps now we're establishing a more accurate definition. A patriarchal oligarchy operating in a distinct area, with its own culture and history and with possibly expansive ambitions? Sorry for the technical terms but, what we've really described is a very large extended 'family' running a small country.
I'm going to blow my own trumpet and say "that's the best definition of a clann I've ever heard".
It also accounts for the strong allegiance clann members have for their clann. For example, I'm very proud of being Scottish, I know where Scotland is, I also know who is in charge - unfortunately since 1707 its been the English - and I know something of my history and culture. All of these things make me Scots, just as your knowledge and culture makes you American, Australian, Japanese or whatever. It also makes you a Campbell or a MacLeod if that is your name.
Clann membership does not simply give you the right to wear some fancy bit of tartan. It gives you the right to be associated with a piece of Scotland. It gives you the right to say I am descended from an ancient and proud people who once ruled their own small country, it gives you a history and culture of which you can be justly proud. All of which is easy to accept. Clann membership also gives you the obligation to defend your name, your family and your family's homeland. Perhaps, in these modern times not so easy to accept.
Find out who you are. Trace your ancestors' name. Find out where you came from.
When you have, be proud of your Scots descendants. They were.
By Highlander Web Magazine's Paul Monaghan.
For more information on Clanns try the "History of the Clanns Page" or "The MacKenzie Clan Society of Scotland"
Copyright 1995/96 Catalyst (Highlands) Ltd. Highlander Web Magazine.
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