For all you John Wayne fans, as well as those of you who may have never watched any of his films, this is a good episode. In it, I not only discuss the Morrison surname, but also dive into ideas that will pertain to many of you who are working on strengthening your connection to your ancestors. This episode has been requested a number of times by all you Morrisons and there happens to be some good material on this surname. So whether you're a Morrison, a John Wayne fan, working on your own genea...
Jul 13, 2020•36 min
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
Jul 01, 2020•37 min
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.
Jun 26, 2020•1 hr 6 min
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 ...
Jun 14, 2020•55 min
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.
Jun 09, 2020•49 min
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/h...
May 23, 2020•49 min
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://these...
May 07, 2020•1 hr
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
Apr 26, 2020•42 min
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.
Apr 13, 2020•53 min
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.
Apr 05, 2020•53 min
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.
Mar 19, 2020•1 hr
Once again, listener feedback gives us a great opportunity to discuss matters at the heart of the Scottish Clans. Thanks for the responses, feedback, comments and questions. Please keep them coming. Also, was Highland society more violent than that of the Lowlands, including the Borders?
Mar 10, 2020•59 min
The MacInnes clan hasn't had a chief since the 1300's yet is descended from another, very famous line of chiefs, or are they. I found that, in discussing the MacInnes clan, they provided the platform to discuss several concepts common to a lot of other clans as well. Available on Podbean, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Hope you enjoy!
Feb 24, 2020•1 hr 11 min
Unlike the previous two examples, there was a close connection between the Sutherland kindred and those who would inherit the Earldom of Sutherland. Join me as I endeavor to untangle this relationship. Are there other examples of earldoms and clans that had the same name but weren't the same thing? Let me know on Podbean, Facebook, or Apple Podcasts, which is where this episode can be found.
Feb 16, 2020•1 hr 1 min
Sorry this was so long getting out. I've moved and had to establish myself and get internet to my new apartment, but I'm up and running now. Here's part 2 about the relationship between the Crawfords and the Earls of Crawford. Hope this helps. Available on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and Spotify.
Feb 04, 2020•28 min
It's easy to get turned around when studying the Scottish clans and there is a clan name and an earldom with the same name. Learning about one doesn't necessarily give us a formula for understanding the others. In this episode, we untangle the Clan Ross from the Earldom of Ross.
Jan 18, 2020•46 min
Complimenting the last episode, I continue looking at the Jacobite risings. I mapped out the clans on a Google map, marking which clans took which side using different colors. Looking at the two maps (the 1715 and the 1745 risings) and noticing trends or lack of them, I compare and contrast them and see what value it gives us. I hope this episode sparks some ideas of your own for a more in-depth study. This is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Jan 05, 2020•1 hr 6 min
50 Episodes! My topic here is a more detailed look at the Jacobite rising of 1745. Paintings of the Battle of Culloden, the final battle of the rising, make it appear that this whole effort was the Highland clans in support of the Stewart dynasty verses Lowlanders/Englishmen supporting the Hanoverians. I did a project with Google Maps to dive into this deeper and here I share some of my observations. It's a little more complex than "Highlanders vs. Englishmen". This is available on Apple Podcast...
Dec 23, 2019•1 hr 18 min
Getting to hear your comments, thoughts, and questions and carrying the conversation further with you all is one of the most gratifying things about doing this podcast. Doing these kind of episodes allows us to discuss the Scottish clans starting from where your thoughts and interests are. I didn't get to everyone here so I'll be getting to more of you feedback in subsequent episodes. Available on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and Spotify.
Dec 13, 2019•48 min
The rest of the story and a little more depth regarding a major conflict between Clan Ranald and the Frasers of Lovat with the leadership of Clan Ranald at stake. Available on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
Dec 01, 2019•40 min
A disagreement over the chiefly succession of Clan Ranald leads to a fight that included a few other clans and excluded certain pieces of clothing. Join me for the story of Blar na Leine; the Battle of the Shirts. Available on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
Nov 22, 2019•36 min
The Grahams produced several capable leaders who took part in some of Scotland's hottest contentions, some of their names will be familiar to you. We focus on what's probably not familiar to you, which what DNA tests tell us about the origin of the Grahams. Thanks for joining me. This is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Oct 10, 2019•51 min
I can't believe we haven't covered this already! What is a sept? Is your family a sept of a larger, more powerful clan? Which tartan should you buy a kilt in? Let's talk about it.
Sep 30, 2019•52 min
Clan chiefs only live so long. What happens when the clan needs a new leader? In this episode, I discuss tanistry, the system used amongst the Gaels of Scotland for picking a new leader.
Sep 20, 2019•41 min
In response to listener feedback, here is a reading list for a study of the Scottish Clans. I know it's not comprehensive. We will add to it as we go. There is an accompanying post on the Facebook page. Feel free to add your own titles in the comments. Also, a short note on the Roses of Kilravock. Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Sep 09, 2019•59 min
Finally! This is the content I started out with for the idea of an episode on the Campbells. In this episode, I try to untangle the major branches of the Campbell clan, and by major, I mean these branches: MacArthur of Strachur, Craignish, Loudon, Auchenbreck, Glenorchy, and Cawdor. I apologize if you have a particular branch that I didn't include but there are so many that if I tried to get to them all, I would never finish. I outline the main line of the Argyll Campbells then try to explain wh...
Aug 26, 2019•1 hr 13 min
Fort part two on the Campbells, I continue the story and important points in the early days of this clan. www.ccsna.org
Aug 04, 2019•38 min
Here you go, a special episode on the Campbells. Actually, this is the beginning of at least two, possibly three episodes on the Campbells. The last one will be a Clan Clusters episode where we discuss the many branches of this clan, especially those branches that became notable kindreds in their own right. In this episode, I focus on Campbell origins but didn't get as far as I wanted so I'll save some more of that until next episode. There's so much cool history! Clan Campbell Society of North ...
Jul 27, 2019•35 min
I'm back! Once again, our topics are listener driven. After having to buy a new mic, I'm finishing my responses to some of your comments. Thank you so much for engaging with this podcast through Facebook, Podbean, and Apple Podcasts.
Jul 15, 2019•39 min
It's time to show some love for those of you who have taken the effort to submit comments, questions, food for thought, etc. I'm so grateful for those of you who have done that and hope that today's episode will inspire more of you to comment, submit reviews and share this podcast with your friends. Sit back and enjoy a conversation on the Scottish Clans that is generated by the thoughts of your fellow listeners.
Jul 01, 2019•41 min
