A Modern Scottish View of Clans (and Gathering)

[Phil]

Have you ever considered Phil, that many people of Scottish heritage join clan (and other Scottish) societies not to celebrate feudalism and the "real" history of the clan system, but instead (and these are your words) "... their [ancestors] hard work and determination that they survived in such hostile places and that their descendants survive to this day"?

I don't believe I've ever said that the clan system was something "romantic". Any serious student of Scottish history, regardless of their nationality, can certainly tell you that. However, as a trained historian, I'm also very wary of sweeping generalizations brought on by personal opinions and beliefs. Your description of the Scottish clan system could just as easily describe the American South and the romantic "moonlight and magnolias" view that some still hold today, yet history goes much deeper than such generalizations.

Regards,

Todd

Thanks for commenting on my post, Todd.
I did not, of course, say that you held the view that the clan system was something romantic, rather that the whole concept conveyed a notion of romanticism. Whether or not you subscribe to that is, of course, a personal view, coloured by the depth of knowledge of the subject. Your example of the American South is obviously a similar phenomenon and, while I am unaware of this myself, from what you write I imagine it to be something where opinions are similarly polarised. And, of course, history does go much deeper than such generalisations so that it is only by seeking the truth that one can approach the true picture. In all of this, however, we must also be conscious of the axiom that history is written by the victors and the whole truth is not always presented as a result so that inconvenient truths can be suppressed.

[macwilkin]

Thanks for commenting on my post, Todd.
I did not, of course, say that you held the view that the clan system was something romantic, rather that the whole concept conveyed a notion of romanticism. Whether or not you subscribe to that is, of course, a personal view, coloured by the depth of knowledge of the subject. Your example of the American South is obviously a similar phenomenon and, while I am unaware of this myself, from what you write I imagine it to be something where opinions are similarly polarised. And, of course, history does go much deeper than such generalisations so that it is only by seeking the truth that one can approach the true picture. In all of this, however, we must also be conscious of the axiom that history is written by the victors and the whole truth is not always presented as a result so that inconvenient truths can be suppressed.

Phil,

Romanticism and mythology aren't necessarily always bad. I frequently use them as a teaching tool to get at the "real" history behind such myths. However, I do not advocate throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Todd