Scottish Clans

If you are interested in the Kennedys, clan society, or Scottish history in general, join me for a discussion of key aspects of the history of the Kennedys.  Did true clans exist in the Lowlands?  Let's dive a little deeper than a Google search with an article by Hector L. MacQueen from the University of Edinburgh.  The link to the article is below.  

https://www.academia.edu/37112752/Survival_and_success_the_Kennedys_of_Dunure

In the last installment in this series, I cover the time period where many of today's Scottish Clans were born.  It's the fusion of several middle age kingdoms into what would become Scotland during the time period from the 1000's to the 1200's.

In the second part of this series, I summarize the ethnic origins of the clans.  If you've listened to the early episodes of this podcast, I'm taking that information and streamlining it to build continuity so that the listener can pull the different pieces together and start to build a picture in their mind of the story of the beginnings of the clans.  In the next episode, I'll build on this one and get into the time period where many of the clans have their origins.  All of this with the hope to build an historical context for those just getting into the subject.  Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean.

Join me for a ground-up discussion of the Scottish clans.  I'm covering what a clan was, how it would have differed from a regular family, and what features would have defined an actual clan.  In the next episode, I'm going to cover the historical context of the origin of the clans.  If you're new to this subject, these episodes will be perfect for you.  If you're not new, I believe you'll still find food for thought.  Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean.

Show Notes:

It's time for a good story!  The Battle of the North Inch would be prime material for a movie, although it might get an R rating for violence.  Two clans revert to an ancient way to settle a dispute: a battle of champions!  Here are links to some of the sources for this episode:

https://ia802701.us.archive.org/14/items/historyofscottis00kelt/historyofscottis00kelt.pdf

https://archive.org/details/highlandersofsco00skenuoft/page/n10/mode/2up/search/north+inch

https://archive.org/details/historicalmemoi00mackgoog

https://archive.org/details/historyofscottis007kelt

https://archive.org/details/b29335206_0004

I don't believe we can have anything other than a shallow understanding of Scottish clans if we don't understand Bonds of Manrent.  These bonds help us understand the relationships between related clans, unrelated clans, Highlanders and Lowlanders, and other groups.  Helpful sources are posted below.  I hope this not only helps you understand the Scottish Clans better, but maybe even your own ancestors.  You'll never look at a Scottish Clan map the same after understanding this subject.

http://theses.gla.ac.uk/4014/1/1974BrownPhD.pdf - I didn't mention this one in this episode but it's got good stuff.

https://www.academia.edu/38334486/The_Dynamics_of_Manrent_in_Argyll_and_Breadalbane_c._1512-60 - This one you need an academia.edu account.  If you don't have one, I encourage it.  No, they're not paying me anything.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manrent - I know it's Wikipedia.  Roger.  Still...

file:///C:/Users/edwar/OneDrive/Pictures/Stephen%20Boardman%20PhD%20thesis.pdf - Good stuff here

Back to the Borders!  In this episode, which draws mostly from Keith Hunter's article "The Recolonization of Liddesdale" found on Academia.edu, we jump into the origin of the Elliots.  How did they arrive in Scotland?  Were they always a Border clan?  We also see the fighting character of the Elliots as a reoccurring theme in their history.  This is available on Podbean.com, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

 

https://www.academia.edu/36732170/Recolonization_of_Liddesdale.doc

Happy Easter, Everyone!  I know I've shared some of this material with you all before back in episode 10, but due to comments and questions I've received since then, I thought it would be worth revisiting and digging in a little deeper regarding the nature of the kin-based society of Scotland, including Lowland kindreds.  This is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean.

After responding to some listener feedback, I discuss the origin of several clans who claim descent from a man named Anrothan.  These clans include the MacLachlans, the MacSweens, the Lamonts, and others.  W. D. H. Sellar has an article where he defends this traditional genealogy, which I have posted on the Scottish Clans Facebook group.  This episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and Spotify.

This is not one of the famous clan battles in Scottish history, such as the Battle of Dryfe Sands or Glen Fruin.  The details are scarce which adds to the mystery of the back story.  It's also interesting in its location: on the borders of the Highlands and Lowlands.  Join me for a dive into the story of the battle itself, the participants, and the setting of this tragic encounter between the Drummonds and Murrays.  This is available on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.