clan associations

[Urchurdan]

Clans are a relic of the distant past to me.

I know they are to many people Jock, but certainly in my own case, it lead me into finding long lost relatives, and also into making great friends all across the world, it is a magic thing in my life having this extended family in it.

I look forward to our Clan Gatherings, when we can all get together - however, I do realise it's not for everyone.

[Jock Scot]

Clans are a relic of the distant past to me.

Spoken like a true student!

I wonder if you will be saying the same thing in 40 years time? The fact that you are member on this web site says you won't!

[Mipi]

I'm just kilt lover. Celts were in my part of the world in 5., 4. and 3. century BC (as much as I know), so no reason at all to be a clan member.

Mipi

[Mike_Oettle]

JockinSkye wrote: “Clans are a relic of the distant past to me.”

What comes to mind is an earnest fellow student who remarked to me about 40 years back: “Patriotism is an outdated notion.”
It was very trendy back then to dismiss patriotism, not to mention courage, valour and gentlemanly conduct.
And patriotism has had a bad press because of ultra-patriots. In my own country alone, the white and black nationalists have appealed to patriotism.
But that does not stop me from taking pride in my country despite the evils committed in the name of patriotism.
Clans? Outdated they may be, but there is something of value in the clan spirit.
Regards,
Mike

[JockInSkye]

JockinSkye wrote: “Clans are a relic of the distant past to me.”

What comes to mind is an earnest fellow student who remarked to me about 40 years back: “Patriotism is an outdated notion.”
It was very trendy back then to dismiss patriotism, not to mention courage, valour and gentlemanly conduct.
And patriotism has had a bad press because of ultra-patriots. In my own country alone, the white and black nationalists have appealed to patriotism.
But that does not stop me from taking pride in my country despite the evils committed in the name of patriotism.
Clans? Outdated they may be, but there is something of value in the clan spirit.
Regards,
Mike

Patriotism is very different to clan and clan asociations though. Patriotism is a relevent concept which has affect that is felt through legislation, culture, ideology and politics (I would consider myself a patriot to a degree). Where as a Scottish clan is an effectively redundant concept that is nothing more than a group of people with the same last name. And I do not say that with a sarky tone, I do realise that it is important for people as it gives them a fraternal connection with the Scots, however to most Scots it has never played any kind of specific part in their life.

It depends on the person how relevent a clan or clan associations and I apoligize for not making that clear, just because it is not relevent ot me, does not mean that it is not relevent to others and I should have pointed out that it is entirely my opinion.

Cheers

[BoldHighlander]

I know they are to many people Jock, but certainly in my own case, it lead me into finding long lost relatives, and also into making great friends all across the world, it is a magic thing in my life having this extended family in it.

Well said sir!

[YoungLady]

I'm considering joining the Clan Young Society but I don't know if I really have the time to devote to it. I don't want to just pay the fee and forget about it. If I join I'd like to have something useful to contribute

[McConnell Mor]

Proudly commissioner for the Clan Donald USA for the State of Louisiana. Family hailing from Islay, and Ballymena, Antrim to include the McDonald's, McDaniel's, McConnell's, Curry's, McLergan's, Gillespie's, Henderson's, Kenedy's, Burke's, Alexander's, Gowan's etc.... I felt the overwhelming urge to cast my lot with the Clan Donald. I believe we should keep the traditions alive by gathering as often as we can, and if nothing else, pass this on to our children and youth.

[BoldHighlander]

I felt the overwhelming urge to cast my lot with the Clan Donald. I believe we should keep the traditions alive by gathering as often as we can, and if nothing else, pass this on to our children and youth.

Well said cousin!

I'm considering joining the Clan Young Society but I don't know if I really have the time to devote to it. I don't want to just pay the fee and forget about it. If I join I'd like to have something useful to contribute

I hope you will take that step & join/support your clan society. You don't have to devote all your time to it. Even if all you can do right now is to show up at a local games, and man the booth for a half hour so, giving the full-time volunteers a chance for a break, I guarantee that gesture will be greatly appreciated!

[Jack Daw]

I'm Italian (Sicilian), Irish, and Danish in that order. Even though I represent for the Irish clan of McMahon of Thomond (mom's paternal grandmother) here in southeast Texas, and we have a "chief", I voted "NO". I usually sponsor and run an all-Irish table at the local highland games to provide hospitality to the Scots-Irish and any stray Irish that pass by. Maybe once DNA testing drops to a really affordable level and enough people get tested, we'll start forming more and more family name associations (we don't have septs, but we do have family groupings like O'Brien, McMahon, McKennedy based on descent). We even have a Standing Council of Irish Chieftains which included 2 roguish fraudsters. First pipes, then kilts, then caubeens, and now evil lairds: what other Scottish tradition are we going to pick up?

Give up Guinness stout for Belhaven stout.