Quote Originally Posted by Ted Crocker View Post
Hmmm, that's interesting. Two questions, though, to bring it back to modern times.

How is it a clan is formed today under Scottish laws or rules?
Under Scottish laws or rules, is an adopted child of a chief not able to become the chief?

On the last question, I'm not understanding how a chief would let the clan become chiefless upon his death.
Generally today if a clan is chiefless and wishes to have a new chief recognized, the clan may convene in a derb finne council to determine who is the next closest living heir to the last chief. Traditionally a chief could appoint a taniste to become his successor according to the old Celtic custom, but the Anglo-Norman conventions of primogeniture have somewhat replaced the Celtic system of tanistry. Under tanistry, the successor need not be the closest heir, but under the system of primogeniture, the heritable line passes to the next closest living heir.