Scottish Clans

[Ánleifr]

So I am interested, out of Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales why is it that only the Scottish have the clan system?

[Ánleifr]

Graham.....where are you? lol

[Graham]

Sorry...I'll put up information later.. Information on clans in the meanwhile. BBC Series. :)


This documentary series tells the story of eighteen of Scotland's most famous Clans. These half hour episodes document the history of each Clan featured - from the MacDonalds to the Armstrongs and the Gordons to the Scotts.

1-9
Clan MacKenzie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP1eAP81ecg&feature=plcp
Clan Fraser
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6htHspk3Io&feature=plcp
Clan Campbell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFDQTu_9Re8&feature=plcp
Clan MacLeod
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whZ7m3_98V4&feature=plcp
Clan MacDonald
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqhZhj6cYVA&feature=plcp
Clan MacGregor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73ILUYJPEAI&feature=plcp
Clan Grant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Dnl26PGDo&feature=plcp
Clan Stewart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPBFOb4rQNs&feature=plcp
Clan MacLean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8Hns4iOJ-0&feature=plcp
10-18
Clan Douglas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deDW69pz0Ho&feature=plcp
Clan Cameron
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c3u_5XO4NU&feature=plcp
Clan Armstrong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79KPZ-AwVp4&feature=plcp
Clan Hamilton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huPd0TkDPSM&feature=plcp
Clan Robertson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ichqtBUHlaU&feature=plcp
Clan Leslie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck29jVPhIVQ&feature=plcp
Clan Gordon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PUJjdbb0Zg&feature=plcp
Clan Scott
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gIE6XYJZFI&feature=plcp
Clan MacNeil
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OquV7geRG4&feature=plcp

[Ánleifr]

So I am assuming that the reason England doesn't have them is because the Anglo-Norman Germanic invaders did not have them and/or abolished it if the Celtic tribes were doing it.

So, why then doesn't Wales and Ireland have them?

[Xenomorph]

Ireland has clans too, I just don't think they're organized as formally as the Scottish clans:
http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/families_clans/

[Ánleifr]

so what tribe started this clan system the Scots?

[Xenomorph]

so what tribe started this clan system the Scots?

The clans have been around for centuries, some maybe for millennia, but I believe the system was formalized by the Stuarts.

[Ánleifr]

I just find it odd that Scotland is the only Celtic country that has this system (maybe Ireland but not like Scotland). Celtic England and Wales do not have this system correct?

[Graham]

I've typed up some from my Scottish family history book. So maybe there will be typos. :P

---------------------------------
Clan System

The earliest mention of clans come from 1100s (the earliest, apparently, is to the clanna Morgan of Buchan) though that probably tells us more about the lack of earlier records than what was actually going on.

The term simply means 'children' or 'family' and the idea derived from the ancient tribal system of the Pict, broken down and modified by the Dalriadan & Viking invasions.

By the time it emerges into recorded history, 'the clan' denoted a family, or mixture of local families who, regardless of their actual ancestry, professed a common descent from their clans founder. They owed allegiance to a chief who was the living representative of the founder, whom they regard as their senior kinsman.

Clans often had several prominent branches, whose kinship was assumed, though could seldom be proved.

Violence underpinned the clan system. The economy, such as it was, was based on farming Black Cattle, and raiding those of neighbouring clans. Raids led to blood feuds and vendettas, with blackmail and demand for 'protection money' thrown in.

The Glencoe massacre of 1692, when the MacDonalds of Glencoe were massacred by Campbell soldiers to whom they were giving hospitality, was merely one in a web of inter-clan conflicts.

To call the his Clansman to arms, the chief would send runners through the region, bearing a blazing or fire-blackened cross. Then would gather and march and march to war.

Actual violence was perhaps less prevalent than posturing, and we know that even blood feuds could be terminated by simple satisfaction of honour: compensation might be paid and signed guarentees would put an end to the vendetta.
---------------------------------
More to come, when I can be arsed typing it. :)

[Ánleifr]

Aw! I was wondering if it was the Picts that established this! Ok, I create another thread on them as to not highjack my own thread :)

[beaver]

Why not photos form radical? Too hard.

[Anusiya]

I guess my answer would lie on whether Scottland is more flat and has more cultivated plains than the rest of the british kingdoms. Anyone?

[Graham]

I guess my answer would lie on whether Scottland is more flat and has more cultivated plains than the rest of the british kingdoms. Anyone?

Scotland has the least fertile lands, especially in the Highlands. Imo, that still reflects in the land inequality.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/53122000/gif/_53122067_ecosystems_464.gif
http://www.audacity.org/images/maps/Habitat-Map-UK-NEA-540.jpg

[Anusiya]

The thing needs some study, I am not hiding I was expecting the opposite. What is the commodity being produced mostly, ale? malt? Would make sense, since clans could control the trade and earn from monopolies.

[beaver]

Download Sccotand wogs in usual way. so that we can to see and move them

[Graham]

The thing needs some study, I am not hiding I was expecting the opposite. What is the commodity being produced mostly, ale? malt? Would make sense, since clans could control the trade and earn from monopolies.

Oats and barley were the staple crop throughout Scotland. Cattle, like I typed before. :)

Scotland is a hilly & wet country.