A History of the Clan System
The origin of the Scottish Clans is a subject of some controversy but it is generally
acknowledged that the Highland clans were in existence at least during the early 1100s.
The Norman conquest of England in 1066 and the subsequent subjugation of King Malcolm
Canmore (Malcolm I) were significant events in the developing history of the Scottish clans. The
introduction of feudalism produced a total change of English culture and major changes in
Scotland within three generations. “English” and “Scots” languages merged and were often
replaced by the language of the Normans.
In Gaelic, clann means children, and, by extension, descendants. The head of each clan was often
a “king,” which over the years evolved into “chief.” Members of the clan did not necessarily
bear the same name. At first, only the chief and his family used fixed surnames to indicate their
descent from the founder of the clan. Around the 17th century, the use of surnames among all
clans in the Highlands became the norm.
In the early history of Scotland’s clans, to avoid corruption, the king was not permitted to own
property. The clan provided for all his needs in return for his wise leadership. Succession was
hereditary within a family, with each clan electing a new king. It was a unique system, whereby
the lowest member shared a common bond with the king, totally different from feudalism, in
which each rank in society owed their lord everything.
As the clan system developed, “broken” men --men without a connection to any clan--were
allowed to join. Sometimes, tenants of clan lands who came from outside the clan became
members after three generations of tenancy. In spite of that affiliation, however, these tenants
were still not considered blood members of the clan.
In yet another variation of membership, an entire clan or “sept” (a branch of a clan) could be
accepted into another clan after losing the last of its chiefs or its territory. Smaller clans
sometime swore fealty to a larger clan for safety.
Traditionally, the men of the clan were called together by a fiery cross (crois taraidh), which
was made from two pieces of burned, or burning, wood. A relay of runners tied the pieces of
wood together with a rag soaked in blood and carried the cross from glen to glen.
Generally speaking, the men in most clans fought and hunted, while the women and older
children did the work at home. A steady source of income for some clans was “blackmeal,”
or protection money, which the Lowlanders or other neighbors paid to buy off the raiders.
In spite of his often humble surroundings, a clan chief tended to create the kind of pageantry
usually associated with royalty. Whenever he traveled, his huge entourage followed. First, were
his henchmen or personal bodyguard. Next, came the bard (Seanachaidh). It was the bard’s
duty to record the chief’s heroic deeds, including those of the clan and the chief’s forebears.
Following the bard was he piper. The piper ’s position was hereditary one, passing father to
son. The bard and the piper often followed the chief into battle, “the former that he might
witness with his own eyes his leader ’s acts of valour, and the latter to inspire the Clan to
greater heroism by his playing,” wrote Scottish historian Fitzroy MacLean. Next up was the
chief’s spokesman (Bladaire), who functioned as a king of protocol officer. The spokesman’s
role was to issue proclamations for the chief or argue the chief’s position on a dispute. Finally,
bringing up the rear of the company was a ghillie, or two, who carried the chief’s broadsword
and shield (targe).
The last rites given to a Highland clan chief were no less renowned for spectacle than his
entourage. Regardless of the distance, custom dictated that the chief had to be buried with his
fathers.
The chief’s corpse was carried feet first, with the piper ’s place at the head. Tightly furled in
front was the clan standard. Following behind were the Clansmen with drawn swords. Attending
every funeral was the piper, whose music honored the dead as well as inspired the bearers on
the march. The women of the clan followed the funeral march as far as the first brook
(burn). At that point, they presented a cup of wine, which symbolized a prayer for the departed.
Because the distances to the burial ground could be quite lengthy, the custom of wakes began
among the Gaelic-speaking descendants of both the Scots and the Irish. Although they now
have a reputation as being somewhat rowdy, wakes evolved gradually from the quiet, reverential
vigils of Roman Catholicism.
Inclement weather was no obstacle to a proper and ceremonious burial for a Clan Chief. In fact,
if anything, it spurred the burial party to even greater pride in their duty as the procession chanted:
“Blessed be the corpse the rain rains on.”