Who Belongs to the Clan?

[BCAC]

I think this (quote below) poses a very interesting perspective, and one that I am in a mind of to beg to differ with ThistleDown and Father Bill somewhat. While I'm sure these twa braw heelan gentleman have given the letter of the law, so to speak, I would say that this is not the be-all-end-all given the current situation of Scotland's clan system (in my own humble opinion and experience, of course, qv). By this I mean to say that, particularly from my experience in the Clan Gregor Society, the Scottish Clan Societies, by and large, are what I would deem to be the equivalent of a modern clan system (the original having been dismantled after the '45). Thereby if you wished to be a member of your "living" clan with practical opportunities to support and further its heritage and general preservation in addition to fellowship, joining a clan society could well be a particularly fulfilling lifetime endeavor, with the one caveat you'll likely get out of it only what you put into it. This is not to say that personal acceptance by your Chief is anything to sneeze at- hardly! More likely a moment you will personally cherish and never forget. But after the moment is over, for most of us it is quite possibly the last time we ever personally meet our chief for all practical intents and purposes. So to say you are a member of the clan by virtue of the chief's personal acceptance is essentially nominal outside of sentimental value. Or at least that is all it is likely to be for the vast majority of clan "members." And this may very well be all some hope or wish for out of their clan/heritage. To each their own, and I will most certainly not endeavour to rob them of their joy.

I will admit that this viewpoint is certainly subjective, as it is more the spirit of the "law" than the letter, so to speak (again). But it's the way I see it: reality versus "on paper". Have sort of lost track of where else I was going with this, so am going to "drop back and punt" as they say (in America anyway)...

ADDENDUM: I can't speak for all clan societies of course, but with regard to Clan Gregor (and it's my impression it is likewise with many clan societies), the Chief is our patron (of the Society) and of a very similar mind to the Sinclair, if I'm not mistaken. So in a sense it is a package deal as far as being a member of the Society AND the "clan."

Hope this wasn't too off topic. I think the OP is very poignant (in a positive way for me at least)...

I'm sorry, but I don't agree.

How can you say that "these twa braw heelan gentleman have given the letter of the law" and then "beg to differ"?

The Scottish Clan Societies are no way the "equivalent of a modern clan system".