If there is a Chief, it's a clan! Some have Commanders appointed in the absence, and that I think is the exception.
Hmm...I don't know about that. The Lord Lyon appoints a Commander, like Iain Gunn of Banniskirk, to lead the clan until a Chief with a direct bloodline to the last heriditary chief can be found. But I don't think the Gunns have been "demoted". As a Commander, he is not a member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, though.

I know the UK liason for the Clan Gunn Society -- he follows the search for a Gunn Chief -- I'll see what his take on this is.



Regards,

Todd