In a recent Not Your Father’s Gaelic blog post I began to explore the topic of Gaelic influence on today’s Scottish clan and family system. The point being that despite giving lip service to the Gaelic roots of this most active and influential of Scottish heritage communities, we really understand very little about how and why the clans and families that we know today were forged.
We know that the clans grew from the Gaelic culture that had been present in Scotland since Roman days and had come to influence if not dominate most of what we know as Scotland by the 11th century. Yet today the colorful manifestations of Scottish clan heritage that we see at highland games across America carry few markers that would belie Gaelic roots. In the blog, I suggested that Scottish clans and families should become more inquisitive about these ancient Gaelic roots and more supportive of Gaelic based heritage and cultural initiatives lest the whole thing be lost forever and the Gaels eventually relegated to the dark historical closet where the Picts hide.
Part of the tragedy of loss of Gaelic culture must be laid at the feet of the clan chiefs themselves – mostly the ones that lived hundreds of years ago. Many of today’s clan societies enjoy a close and robust relationship with today’s hereditary clan chiefs. Where the chief goes, so goes the clan. Some of today’s chiefs recognize and celebrate their ancient Gaelic roots while others do not. As we know, over the course of a few centuries, many clan chiefs shelved their Gaelic-ness – and that of their clan – in favor of the more contemporary introduced Anglo-Norman culture that flowed northward out of England and the Scottish borders. Feudalism brought economic, political and social advantages that Gaeldom could no longer provide or possibly never did. Shift happens. Language and cultural shift – happens (Ghil’ad Zuckermann, 2015).
The largest and by far most significant and enduring Scottish heritage event of our time occurred in Edinburgh in 2009 and it drew many Scottish clan chiefs. The infamous 2009 Gathering of the Clans is today almost universally esteemed by the Scottish clan community as a near perfect international heritage event. Many discussions and much thought have been contributed since 2009 to trying to figure out how to successfully replicate it. By many accounts it was a “life changing” event; but on the whole, like the modern highland games from which the concept was drawn, the 2009 Gathering did not emphasize Gaelic culture.
The Gathering took place over the course of several days and included collective events in Edinburgh and a few coordinated individual clan events in traditional clan and family lands. One of most memorable Edinburgh events was a Clan Convention, held in the Scottish Parliament debating chamber. We are extremely fortunate to have a very good video record of those proceedings and they are definitely worth a watch. But before you do, here is a bit of advice on where to begin.
The proceedings of the 2009 Clan Convention were remarkable and even ground breaking in many ways. By far the most entertaining and perhaps insightful were comments by The MacLaren – Donald MacLaren, chief of Clan MacLaren – delivered near the end of the morning session of the first day of the event. He spoke on behalf of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. Aside from these comments, the subject of Gaelic heritage – and the tragic loss thereof – was little acknowledged at the Clan Convention. But Donald MacLaren is one of those chiefs who understands his heritage and the Gaelic genesis of his people and he chose not to avoid the chiefs’ distant Gaelic heritage.
MacLaren’s understanding may come partially because his clan, founded by an Abbot in the early 13th century, actually refused the Anglo-Norman temptations of land and power and took little part in the feudal craze that eventually swept away most of the rest of the Gaelic clan system. Clan MacLaren chose to retain it’s Gaelic clan traditions instead of participating in the feudal re-allocation of land, titles and power in post 11th century Scotland. Thus, until Donald’s father matriculated arms in 1957, the clan was considered “chiefless and landless” by Scottish – Anglo feudal institutions and tradition. Today, Clan MacLaren – represented by the Clan MacLaren Society – is one of the closest and most successful Scottish clan groups around. Due partly to a steadfast retention of Gaelic character? Hard to say, but it is a strong clan society and a model for others to follow.
Back to 2009. Not only were Donald MacLaren’s remarks very entertaining and delivered with the skill of a seasoned storyteller (and an accomplished piper as well), but they were an isolated and not so gentle nudge to that esteemed not-very-Gaelic Convention, reminding them that in the rush to become great Scots, something of great value has been left behind. Take a moment to watch and listen to a great performance by a true highland chief. If you have a moment, listen thoughtfully to what Donald MacLaren of MacLaren had to say in 2009. You will not be disappointed.
In a wonderful example of serendipity, I have come across your post at a personal time of contemplation into the meaning of heritage, tradition, chieftaincy and clan. Mine is the fifth generation out of the Highlands and onto North America and virtually nothing of the family heritage was passed on through those generations to mine. It is only in the recent decade and through an apparently unconnected interest that I found myself back at the Creag An Tuirc, unaware until that moment that it was the rallying point for the Clan. That experience reinforces my belief that we all hold in our genetic makeup much more information than we acknowledge. It also has been the incentive to dig deeper into my ancestral background and the roots of the Clan. Thank you for shedding further light on the subject, and for sharing the link to the Chieftain’s address to the Scottish Convention.
You are quite welcome Rod. I am very glad you enjoyed the post and even more stoked that you are engaged in the journey you describe! Your points are well taken and the more folks who take such a deep and genuine interest in their ancestral past, the safer our heritage will be for the future. Thanks you for your perspective!
Donald MacLaren is one of the most active Clan Chiefs and represents by example what a modern Clan Chiefs role is. Unfortunately, modern scholarship has shown that his lineage is a fabrication based on a 19th century error. The 13th century Abbot Labhran the founder of the clan never existed. Much of the clans history published by the Clan MacLaren Society is fiction and a modern creation to transform a small clan in Perthshire with few followers into a large International Clan with Sept names apparently carefully selected out of thin air. An example of this created history is “Creag an Tuirc” the new motto and gathering place of the clan created in the 1950’s. The traditional motto was “Dalriada” referring to the origin of the Clan on the west coast of Scotland in Lorne, which is the actual source of the clans name, not a 13th century Abbot Labhran who never existed.
Thank you for providing insights in to the Clan’s history. Hilton, is it possible for you to provide me some of your research and references? I am very intrigued by alternate historical accounts.
Kind regard
James
Apologize for the delay James What you request is at mclaurinsociety.org Take Care Hilton
What goes around will eventually come around to bite Donald, these articles reveal his real nature.
A LONG-running conflict over a controversial marker at Culloden Battlefield has reignited following years of research by an American descendent of a Jacobite soldier.
https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/News/Clash-of-clans-as-row-over-Culloden-regimental-marker-deepens-04082017.htm
“A quest by the MacLaren clan to disinter Rob Roy’s remains for DNA testing has outraged the folk hero’s MacGregor ancestors. A centuries-old clan feud has taken another twist with the MacLarens and the MacGregors involved in a heated dispute over the burial place of the outlaw and folk hero Rob Roy. Donald MacLaren, the chief of the Clan MacLaren, wants to disinter the remains of Rob Roy MacGregor from a grave in Balquhidder, Stirlingshire, to test their authenticity. He does not believe that the kirkyard, near to where he lives, houses MacGregor’s remains. He says the outlaw was buried in an unmarked grave several miles away and says tourists flocking to the site are being fed a myth.” Stuart MacDonald
May 31, 2009, 7:48pm, The Sunday Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/plea-to-exhume-rob-roys-body-re-ignites-clan-feud-s22n5skr5m6
I saw clan MacLaren on Tartan footprint.,and thought I would mention what I have done in our little NZ town of Morrinsville,which was named after the Morrin brothers of Lockerbie,Scotland,and many families here bear Scottish names-Camerons,MacDonalds,McLeods,Munros,and so on. We are the centre of a very intensive dairying industry. It was decided to have painted cows permanently around the town,so when I.as an artist, was asked to paint a cow for McLarens Rural Services,what better design could I have but the McLaren tartan! Predominantly green and blue with threads of gold and red I also decorated it with simple Celtic designs. It stands proudly outside their business premises.You can see it by googling ‘Herd Of cows Morrinsville.
Lovely! I just found it.
I was very impressed with the speech done by Donald MacLaren & if the advice was followed, it might make a big difference!
My family is from the Apapalation mountains of Virginia. My grandaddy told me our family came from Scotland, and that our name was changed to Lawson to protect members who were indentured and as patriots in the Revolutionary War.
Interesting Paul. I was told that our family may have originated from Montrose Scotland. I may have ancestors from the Virginia/TN area. A lot of them migrated to Scott County IL. I didn’t know anything about being indentured servants.