Clan societies in UK

[Jock Scot]

So how can Americans who want to participate in clan events do so? I’ve never been to a Highland Games or a kirkin of the tartan, but I am very interested in history particularly the history of how in less than 100 years highland symbols came to represent all Scotland. How groups such as the Highland Society of London created this identity for themselves. To me the fact that the Allen brothers, Queen Victoria, Scott, and Wilson’s of Bannockburn had a hand I created the image of highland dress as we know it today is what makes it interesting. Clan tartans didn’t come down from the mists of time.
Really my original question was asking about who and why do some Scots interest themselves in these identities and how do they view them. Heritage is more about the present than the past and I’m fascinated in how the past, or versions of the past, are used and interacted with by people today.
I hope these thoughts make some sense, I’m writing at the end of a long and tiring American thanksgiving day.

Good points.

I really can only speak for myself, but I think most of my answers are fairly universal throughout Scotland.

So speaking for myself, I rarely give my Clan a thought, even when wearing the kilt I rarely give the tartan a thought. I only wear one tartan but I have to admit it is a rare occasion that I actually give it a thought. Yes I know some of the history of my Clan but it most certainly is not in my mind very often, perhaps something like once every month or so. Do I go to Clan events? No. Am I interested in Clan events? No.

Do I do Clan/tartan parades? No.
Kirkin the tartan? No. In fact until I joined this website I had never heard of it. As I understand it, it is a modern non Scottish concoction.
I am fully aware of the romantic history of tartan and the many fanciful ideas that spring from them. I actually rarely give them a thought, other than not taking them seriously. But...............

BUT, I cannot ignore the REAL history, we in Scotland live with a thousand years, or more, of Scottish history all around us! It is hard, impossible even, to ignore! Do I know the historical details of most of it? No. Some of it, perhaps a tad better.

Do I care what Clan anyone belongs to? No. Do I care what part of Scotland those from outwith Scotland and the areas their ancestors came from? No.

So Clan razz-ma-tazz impresses me not. A thousand years and more of Clan involvement with Scottish history on the other hand impresses me a lot and is worth celebrating modestly, even though I rarely think about it.