Scottish "Clan Map" Many different maps claim to indicate the areas controlled by specific clans in Scotland. However, most “clan maps” appear to be pleasant fictions that bear only slight resemblance to actual ancestral family lands. Few maps specify the basis for the selection, whether the land was owned by the clan chief; whether members of the clan resided there; or whether the land was under the influence of the clan. Another problem is that the date of the determination is rarely mentioned. This is a problem because the land owned or influenced by a specific clan ebbed and waned over time. The lands could be the “origins” of the clans before the 13th century, the height of clan rivalries in the 15th and 16th centuries, or during the 17th and 18th century Jacobite uprisings after many many families’ ancestral lands were seized by the government. COSCA has reviewed four such “clan maps” and found only one to be the most accurate. “Scotland of Old,” first published in 1956, was crafted by Sir Iain Moncreiffe of That Ilk, Bart., (1919 –1985) Albany Herald and Don Pottinger (1919–1986), Unicorn Pursuivant of Arms. This version was also approved by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and the Lord Lyon King of Arms. The map notes that the lands indicate “general spheres of influence, usually about the time of King James VI but taking the history of each district or family as a whole.” Learn more here: https://www.cosca.scot/clan-map |
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Clan and Family Museums and Heritage Centers With the normalization of travel after the COVID-19 outbreak, more people are planning their Scotland heritage tours. One major destination for members of Scottish heritage societies are their clan and family museums and heritage centers. These sites range from a display at a local museum or chief’s home to an area of a former church to an entire building. Here are just a few examples: Clan Donnachaidh Museum: Bruar, Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland. Clan Gunn Heritage Centre & Museum: Old Latheron Parish Church, just east of the village of Latheron in Cathness, Scotland. Clan Macpherson Museum: Main Street in Newtonmore, Inverness-shire, Scotland. Clan Colquhoun Heritage & Visitor Centre: Shore Cottage in Luss, in Argyll and Bute, within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Scotland. Clan Macdougall Center: 1745 House, Oban, on the west coast of Scotland in Argyll, Scotland Clan Grant Centre: Old Church at Duthil, close to Grantown-on-Spey, Moray, Scotland. Strathnaver Museum – Clan Mackay: Clachan, Bettyhill, Thurso, Caithness, Scotland. Museum of the Isles - Clan Donald: Armadale Castle in Sleat on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Douglas Heritage Museum: Dower House, Douglas Castle in Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Clan Cameron Museum: Achnacarry, Spean Bridge, Lochaber in the region of Highland, Scotland.
Learn more here: https://www.cosca.scot/post/clan-museums |
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Please take six to ten minutes to take this important survey so that COSCA can focus on developing services that satisfy the needs of your Scottish heritage society! While this particular survey focuses on the needs of clan and family associations, COSCA will be asking for ways we can also assist local Scottish heritage societies such as St. Andrew’s Societies and Highland Games and festival organizations. You will be asked about your membership management, membership acquisition, newsletters and communications, participation in Highland games and festivals, genealogy services, website and Facebook pages, grants and scholarships, relationship wth your chief or commander, and other topics. Please take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2TNLPYQ COSCA will share the results in an upcoming COSCA Update. Thank you! |
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Join or Renew Today Join the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations! We welcome clan and family groups, St. Andrew's Societies, local and national Scottish heritage organizations, games and festival organizers, and purveyors of Scottish goods and services. Your organization will receive our e-newsletter, gain access to the Members Services section of the website, become eligible to vote, and receive all other benefits of members. Scottish heritage societies are stronger together! Join or renew here: https://www.cosca.scot/join |
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