‘Clans’ and ‘Scotland’ go together like ‘neeps’ and ‘tatties’ or Whisky and bagpipes.
Since the early 12th century, clans have been the dominant form of communities across Scotland and its territories. Traditionally, a clan is made up of extended families, tied either through blood or marriage, as well as other families within the territory who owed their allegiance to the Clan Chief.
The Clan’s Chief is recognised in Scottish Law and by the Sovereign, through their coat of arms which is granted by The Court of Lord Lyon as an officer of the Crown. Under Scottish Law, a Clan’s Chief is recognised as the head and leader of the Clan and is its legal representative.
Scotland has 500 clans, each with a unique identity, tartan, and clan motto. Clans lived in different territories but did not have ownership, but had a right of domination, called “dutchas”. In principle, this meant the ‘right to reside.’
The word Clan comes from the Gaelic word Clanna, meaning family. The head was the Clan Chief who demanded devotion and allegiance. Being head of the Clan, a Clan Chief was responsible for the wellbeing of his family – his principal function was to lead his Clan in battle.
Members of clans, even those not related, would adopt the surname of the chief, signifying their membership.
In the 18th and 19th Centuries, the Clanship and culture of Scotland were widely reduced due to political actions, battles, taxes, and coerced mass emigration. These were known as the Highland Clearances which took place from 1750 to 1860.
The ancestral clans closest to where we are located, here at Loch Ness Titles, are Fraser of Lovat, Grant, Chisholm, and Mackintosh, all names which have close connections to the area.
Tartan
Each Scottish clan has a claim to their own unique Tartan; a patterned cloth consisting of crisscrossed, horizontal stripes and bands of multiple colours. However, it wasn’t until recently in history that clans came to call a tartan their own. Traditionally, Tartans had no real significance other than that of creative expression, although it’s not disputed that certain colours or motifs were attributed to certain areas.
It’s through continued use over time that the Tartan became associated with traditional Scottish dress. So much so, that after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, wearing Tartan was forbidden, in an attempt to quash Scottish culture.
At the end of the 18th century, Tartan came into mass production and classification was required. Soon after, Tartans were given names and designations associated with Clans and their territories in Scotland. This is attributed to William Wilson & Sons of Bannockburn, who amassed some 250 Tartans by 1819.
In 1822, King George IV visited Edinburgh and invited Clan Chiefs to come and greet their King in ‘proper Clan Tartan.’ This led to a boom, with weavers producing many new Tartans that were then passed on to Clan Chiefs who would choose a pattern to represent their Clan territory.
By the early 19th century Tartan lore had begun to build, relating Tartans to specific Clans, their Scottish descendants wishing to keep their Highland heritage alive.
Bringing us up to the 21st century, 2008 saw the Scottish Parliament pass legislation that created an official Scottish Register of Tartans. The Register was established in 2009, allowing people, towns, companies, families and more to register an individual unique tartan.
Clans Today
Scottish Clans continue to exist today, although without their once powerful influence, and continue to promote their proud Scottish culture and heritage. Many of today’s Clan Chiefs bear other inherited titles such as Earl, Lord, Duke, Viscount
Clan descendants from all over the world come to Scotland to trace their heritage back centuries, including visiting the family seat of their Clan.
If you, a friend or a family member have Clan lineage why not celebrate your ancestry by buying a piece of Scottish land, along with the title of Lord, Lady or Laird of Loch Ness?
Each Loch Ness Title grants you ownership of one square foot of land overlooking the world-famous Loch Ness. Your purchase also contributes towards maintaining and protecting Scotland’s wildlife and promoting and sustaining our rich history and culture.
If you’re looking for more information about how to buy a title with Loch Ness Titles, and help the conservation efforts of Brackla woods, read through our How to Buy a Title guide. You can also get more information from dedicated Buy a Scottish Lord Title, Buy a Scottish Lady Title, and Buy a Scottish Laird Title.
