This one is the stuff best-selling novels, movies or series are made of! We take a story I've told before here and, using a paper written by Prof. Steve Boardman, peel back the layers to reveal and even more compelling story than I originally ever imagines. Loyalty, betrayal, feud, alliance, romance, infidelity, and action all come together to make…

You won't agree with everything Dr. Pittock says but hopefully you've considered the possibility that some of your conceptions about Scottish clans are off. What are some of the misconceptions that are widely held that Dr. Pittock corrects? What ideas of your own did he challenge? This episode is sure to stir the pot but I hope you enjoy it and tha…

During the Jacobite Rising of 1745, clans that were already at feud chose different sides and continued the conflict. But with the failure of the rising and its disastrous conclusion at the Battle of Culloden, sometimes the fighting didn't stop. Check out this story of conflict between the Stewarts of Appin and the Campbells. Website: www.scottish-…

I hope you enjoyed the part of my discussion with Dr. Martin MacGregor. Here is the rest of our conversation. Now that we've established the origins of both clans, we get into their turbulent relationship with each other, which ended far away from where it began. This is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Stay tuned for YouTube clips wit…

What a great experience it was to learn these two well-known clans, the Campbells and MacGregors, and their turbulent relationship from one of the most knowledgeable people on the subject! I hope you enjoy this conversation I had with him. This is only the first half of our discussion. Stay tuned for part 2 as well as YouTube content complete with …

I'm excited to share part 1 of the discussion that I had with Dr. Aonghas MacCoinnich!!! He focuses on the Clans Mackenzie and MacLeod of Lewis. You could not get a more knowledgeable person for these two clans. This was truly a feast. If you have any interest in either of these two clans, this and the next episode are for you. I hope you enjoy thi…

I'm excited to share this discussion that I had with Dr. Aonghas MacCoinnich!!! He focuses on the Clans Mackenzie and MacLeod of Lewis. You could not get a more knowledgeable person for these two clans. This was truly a feast. If you have any interest in either of these two clans, this and the next episode are for you. I hope you enjoy this as much…

As promised during last episode, I share a couple more examples of earlier kindreds that begat clans that we are more familiar with today. I also discuss why I feel this is an important thing to consider when understanding where clans come from and what they really are. Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Sponsor: USA Kilts Scottish Clans…

Many of the clans we recognize today formed between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries. What is less well-known is that many of these clans evolved from previous clans. Some of these previous kindreds are well-documented. Others remain obscure both regarding their history and their antiquity. Here are some examples of clans that emerged from earl…

The Highland charge was a devastating military tactic that scattered enemy forces on numerous occasions. The big question is, "Which specific clans actually executed the Highland charge?" Many people see Alasdair mac Colla MacDonnell as the author of this tactic and it was specifically the clans fighting under him that performed this feat of arms. …

One of the most dynamic and exciting aspects of seventeenth century Highland history was the Highland Charge. We'll go over what a Highland charge was and why it was so effective. In subsequent episodes we'll go over which battles it was used in and therefore which clans have engaged in this fearsome military tactic. Scottish Clans website: www.sco…

Just to get to the battlefield, the Marquis of Montrose and his Royalist forces pulled off "one of the greatest exploits in the history of British arms." I take this episode from John L. Roberts' Clan, King, and Covenant: History of the Highland Clans from the Civil War to the Glencoe Massacre. Learn about the incredible march as well as the epic b…

This is the last segment of my discussion with Mike Doyle of the Clans and Dynasties YouTube channel. Many thanks to him for sharing his knowledge with the Scottish Clans audience. In this episode, we discuss the relationship between the Irish and Scottish clans, using the MacSween/MacSweeneys as an illustration. Mike's YouTube channel: https://www…

This is a continuation of a discussion I had with Mike Doyle of the Clans and Dynasties youtube channel. In this episode, we discuss: The need to trace your ancestry to a specific location to know what clan you might tie into, and not just go off of the last name. The Northern Ireland element. Did all Scottish names in Ulster come from Scotland? So…

This is a continuation of a discussion I had with Mike Doyle of the Clans and Dynasties YouTube channel. In this episode, we discuss: The Gall-Gaedheil. The Galloglass, their origins and cultural identities. Specific Galloglass clans, like MacDonald, MacDougall, MacKay (MacCoy), and MacCabe. Clans and Dynasties: https://www.youtube.com/@Clans_Dynas…

I hope you enjoy this continuation of my discussion with Mike Doyle, from the Clans and Dynasties YouTube channel. We discussed such topics as: The Ethnic foundations of the Scottish clans How much do the Scottish clans owe to Ireland vs other groups like the Picts, Britons, Angles, etc.? Where does Scotland derive its Gaelic language from? Was it …

I'm excited to share with you the first part of my discussion with Mike Doyle from the Clans and Dynasties YouTube channel! He brings a great value to the Scottish Clans audience. He has a solid understanding of the history of the Scottish clans but he also has a great depth of knowledge of the Irish clans. His YouTube content involves history rega…

There are so many misconceptions, misunderstandings, and straight up myths regarding the Scottish clans. For this episode I'm taking comments from Scottish scholar, Prof. Murray Pittock, who teaches at the University of Glasgow. These comments come from an interview he did on the History Extra Podcast. Get ready to have some of your current underst…

Through thick and thin, the MacRaes were there for the Mackenzies. In this episode I discuss what it might have meant that the MacRaes were "Mackenzie's Shirt of Mail." I share one example of this from the battle known as Blar na Pairce. Sources: https://archive.org/details/historyofclanmac00macr for a pdf download https://electricscotland.com/webc…

I read this story and had to share it with you. It's a story of a man's love for a woman, but it's not romantic. It's two brothers taking care of their sister in a heroic way. Having a sister myself, I love it! Contribute to the Cause! www.scottish-clans.com/team Sponsor: www.usakilts.com Podcast website with other resources: www.scottish-clans.com…

This is the second part of my discussion with Prof. Ali Cathcart, of the University of Stirling. If you want to know more about the Scottish clans, then this is a must. Sponsor: www.usakilts.com My website: www.scottish-clans.com. You will find links to: my online course on the origins of the Scottish clans. Where you can contribute to the cause. f…

I'm excited to share with you my conversation with Ali Cathcart! We covered such topics as: The Highland/Lowland divide (did clans exist in the Lowlands?), Variety among the Highland clans, information on specific clans like the Mackintoshes, Gordons, MacPhersons, and more! Enjoy Prof. Cathcart's wealth of knowledge in helping us understand the Sco…

For the last episode in this mini-series, I take a look at a few more clans and their claim to have fought at Bannockburn. Did these clans even exist at the time? Is it plausible, if they weren't yet a clan, that their ancestors were still there, stomping the English alongside Robert the Bruce and his allies? This episode was inspired by a video by…

This episode is part 2 of 3 as I go over additional claims of clans that claim to have fought at Bannockburn. Were they even in existence long enough for this claim to be true? Part 3 will be delayed as the next episode I publish will be my interview with Professor Ali Cathcart who teaches at the University of Stirling. I hope you enjoy this episod…

Many clans claim to have fought at the Battle of Bannockburn on 23-24 June, 1314. This battle happened at an interesting time for the clans as we would recognize them. Some of them had taken shape by this point and some hadn't. My goal here is not to proclaim whether they were definitively there or not. Rather, I look at scholarly sources and the a…

This second part of the MacNeil episodes is taken from a book called "Highlanders: A History of the Scottish Gaels," by John MacLeod. It focuses on the MacNeils of Barra and their piratical activities. I hope you enjoy! Check out the links below for more great content! Podcast website: www.scottish-clans.com New online course on the origins of the …

This clan only has one chief: Macneil of Barra. Should there be another? This and more on the MacNeils in this episode. Make sure to check out the next episode, a part 2 on the MacNeils, which is already available. Check out the links below for more great content! Online course on the origins of the Scottish Clans: www.scottish-clans.com/origins. P…

Highland clan origin legends were not intended to convey absolute truth to later generations about how the clan started. Well, then what were they intended for? For this episode, I share from a book by Michael Newton, The Everyday Life of the Clans of the Scottish Highlands. We start by learning about some of the purposes of these legends generally…

In this episode, Ethan gets more specific with how the study of DNA helps us understand the history of specific clans, their origins (both in support and in denial of some legends), and their relationships to each other. Among the clans we discussed were Clan Sorley (MacDonalds, MacRorys, and MacDougals), Sìol Ailpein (Grants, MacGregors, MacKinnon…

I'm excited to share with you all a milestone in this podcast's history. Ethan Hunt joins us to teach us how the DNA helps us understand the history of the Scottish clans. This is the first interview that I have run (USA Kilts ran the only other interview I've done for this)! Expect to see more of these in the future. In this Part 1 episode, Ethan …

Between last episode, setting the foundation, and this episode, this is the first time we've been to the Northern Isles (in this case Orkney) since I started this podcast! It's always fun to try new things. You know what's not fun, Sinclairs fighting Sinclairs and a mother accidentally killing her son. In these respects, the Battle of Summerdale wa…

Let's get to know a little bit about the Sinclairs and lay the foundation for the story of the Battle of Summerdale. The Sinclairs are a really interesting clan that controlled a large territory in the far north of Scotland as the Earls of Caithness. They had other branches of the family. How did these branches interact with each other? Were they a…

This is the unbelievable backstory to a strong theory about why the MacLeod of Harris and Dunvegan and the MacDonalds of Sleat switched sides from being Jacobites in 1715 to raising troops for the British Government in 1745. My website: www.scottish-clans.com Do you want to contribute to the cause? Go here: www.scottish-clans.com/team My sponsor: w…

Last time we looked at the Frasers of Lovat and examined their reasons for fighting on different sides during the Jacobite Risings of 1715 and 1745. That made me curious about other clans that switched sides in the same conflicts. Here I list eleven clans that found themselves on one side during the 1715 Rising and another during the 1745 Rising. N…

The Clan Fraser of Lovat sided with the Hanoverians in the 1715 Jacobite Rising but then sided with the Stewarts in 1745. In this episode I explore why I believe they switched. If you like these podcasts and would like to contribute to the effort, go to www.scottish-clans.com/team. My website: www.scottish-clans.com My sponsor: www.usakilts.com…

A few episodes ago I shared some history on the professional kindreds. Robert Currie, Commander of the Name and Arms of Currie, reached out to me with a small booklet about the MacMhuirich kindred, who were sponsored by the Lords of the Isles as bards. Here's a few things I learned. Thanks, Robert! Scottish Clans website - http://www.scottish-clans…

It's alway nice when you can get the words of the Gaels themselves to describe their own culture. Here, I use an excerpt from The Everyday Life of the Clans of the Scottish Highlands, by Michael Newton, where a MacLeod of Raasay woman composed a lament for her brother in 1671. In it, she describes what he wore, which is enlightening but not what yo…

Was there a branch of Clan Cameron is Atholl? Not according to Wikipedia;). Here's some cool details on something Cameron found in his research. My apologies to Cameron Moser, who was running the tent for Clan Cameron at the Scots on the Rocks festival in Moab, UT in October. This is my interview with him.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVefgJWXdh…

Here's an episode on a few things I find interesting about the Munros, some of which get us into conversations about broader questions about Scottish clans. How does DNA evidence connect with their traditional origins? Why did they choose the sides they did during the Scottish Civil War and the Jacobite Rebellions? My Youtube channel: https://www.y…

Most often we see members of a clan come together for a common cause in the realm of warfare. This episode highlights a welcome break from the bloodshed as we look at clans that embraced certain professions. Which clans were physicians, historians, craftsmen, etc.? This is a fascinating aspect of the topic of Scottish Clans. Visit scottish-clans.co…

This is a continuation of the last discussion regarding the difference between what a clan chief owned and the place where his kindred called home. Looking at clan maps can give a person the wrong impression about this topic, so we dive into it and bust some misconceptions. Website: scottish-clans.com Do you like this content? You can give back at …

In the USA, it's Thanksgiving Day, and I'm thankful for you all! Thank you so much for listening. Many of you have followed up with comments and questions and allowed this conversation to grow and develop. I hope this episode helps some of you better understand the nature of clanship and hopefully erase some misconceptions that could be gained by l…

In another installation of 'Clan Founders' we take a look at a very influential member of the native, Gaelic aristocracy who helped Scotland become what it is today and founded the Ross clan. Learn what made him such an important person in Scottish history! This is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify as well. Thanks for listening. Scottish-clan…

Here's an episode that comes from a listener request. The Kerrs were everything that we think of when we hear the term "Border Reivers". Here's a few things about them that I consider noteworthy. If you like this and other episodes, consider contributing to the cause at scottish-clans.com/team. Pick up your free pdf of the 1587 Act of Parliament th…

Often lumped in with and undistinguished from the Normans, this group of bold adventurers begat kindreds that had a disproportionate influence on Scottish history compared to their actual numbers. Check out Amy Eberlin's research on them and their involvement in Scottish history in the link below. https://flemish.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/author/ae29/ Sp…

The Redeswirer Fray, or Raid on Redeswire, is considered by some to be the last official conflict between England and Scotland. Follow me as I describe the role the Rutherfords played in this this battle. Useful links: YouTube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SQHovR98R4 Scottish-clans.com Scottish-clans.com/1587 for a free pdf of the Roll …

There is so much misunderstanding at the beginner level when people learn they have Scottish ancestors. What they picture in their minds, unless they have verified Highland ancestry, is often wrong. Those from the Borders looked (in dress) and sounded (in language) much different from their Highland counterparts. In this episode I endeavor to untan…

Following the last episode, here are my interviews with Helen at the Young Clan tent and Steven Argyle and Lois Ann Garlitz at the MacGregor tent from the Payson Scottish Festival. I've spent most of my time studying the Scottish clans in their original context so it was interesting to learn about a more modern incarnation from those deeply involve…

This was a new experience for me. We recently had the Payson Scottish Festival and I had the chance to interview Tom Campbell at the Campbell tent and Alex and Ted at the MacDonald tent. What a cool experience and a look into an aspect of our subject that I haven't spent a lot of time studying. Thanks to Tom, Ted, and Alex for taking the time to vi…

I get a lot of people asking me for more information about the clan they're descended from. In this episode, I give 3 tips for the beginner to start down the road of learning more about their Scottish ancestors. This road is one that can give them starting information but also lead them to more advanced sources. Sponsor usakilts.com and https://www…