Scottish Clans

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Episode 25 The Gallowglass Pt 2 - Gallowglass Clans Feb 17, 2019

Show notes

In the last episode we did an introduction to the Galloglass. In this episode we discuss SOME of the prominent Galloglass kindreds, specifically the MacDonnells, MacDougalls (MacDowells), MacRorys, MacCabes, MacSheehys and MacCoys. In the next episode we'll introduce some clans that are well-known but not as Galloglass. This is also available on iTunes and Spotify. Hope you enjoy! facebook.com/clansofscotland

Episode 24 The Gallowglass Pt. 1 Feb 11, 2019

Show notes

The Gallowglass were some of the most fearsome fighters of their day. Hailing from the Western Highlands and Isles, these clans of mixed Gaelic and Scandinavian descent provided the Lords and Chieftains of Ireland with elite infantry that became famous in western Europe for their prowess on the battlefield.

Episode 23 The Montgomery vs. Cunningham Feud Jan 31, 2019

Show notes

Our first visit to Ayrshire in this podcast, I relate the main events of the Montgomery vs. Cunningham feud. This feud was inextricably entwined with the dynastic struggles and the religious conflicts of their nation.

Episode 22 The Structure of a Clan Pt. 2 Jan 21, 2019

Show notes

In this second part of the series on the structure of a clan, I discuss what the membership of a clan would look like. Did everyone who rallied to the chief's call bear the same surname? Were they related to the chief in any way? Check out this episode to see what I've read on this subject.

Episode 21 The Battle of Melrose, Henry Sinclair, Does a Clan Need a Chief? Jan 13, 2019

Show notes

This episode is mostly in response to listener engagement and feedback. Thanks to those of you who have pursued the conversation! Your comments have been interesting and insightful. I also added a little storytelling at the end. Here's to the Border Reivers!

Episode 20 Clan Structure, Pt. 1 Jan 06, 2019

Show notes

This is the first in a series where I discuss how a clan was put together. This episode focuses on the chief and his retinue, to include: the military commander, the poet/historian, piper/harpist, and the physician.

Episode 19 The Gordon vs. Forbes Feud Dec 29, 2018

Show notes

This episode doesn't cover the whole length of the feud between these two prominent Scottish kindreds. Rather, it relates the conflicts that happened in 1572 as related by Alexander MacGregor in "The Feuds of the Clans", published in 1907. I might add that it seems like MacGregor's account is biased toward the Gordons. Sorry. Forbes, do you have any other sources for this time period? Share them in the comments.

Episode 18 The Last Clan Battle, Altimarlach Dec 22, 2018

Show notes

When John Campbell of GlenOrchy takes possession of lands in Caithness, the title of Earl of Caithness, and George Sinclair's widow as payment for the debt Sinclair owed him, George Sinclair of Keiss isn't having it. That's his inheritance and he won't take this intrusion laying down.

Episode 17 Alliances: MacFarlane and MacGregor, Modern Surname Locations Dec 12, 2018

Show notes

Today we flesh out the histories of the MacFarlane and MacGregor clans in the first of a series on alliances. These two clans shared more than neighboring territory across Loch Lomond. They stirred up trouble together and fought through thick and thin. I also highlight a website that displays the current geographical distribution of surnames within the UK. Here's the link: named.publicprofiler.org Here's Michael Newton's website which will give you access to a lot of his fine work on the Highlands and Gaelic history. I have this link also on the Scottish Clans facebook page: https://virtualgael.wordpress.com/. The MacFarlane source I used the most can be found here: https://archive.org/stream/historyofclanmac00macf/historyofclanmac00macf_djvu.txt. I believe from here you can download the pdf. Here's where you can download the pdf of Dr. MacGregor's PhD thesis. https://www.era.lib.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/6887

Episode 16: Highland Clans and the 1724 General Wade Report Dec 06, 2018

Show notes

In the service of his king, General Wade spent time in the Highlands, taking notes on aspects of Highland culture that would be militarily relevant. His report on this experience offers interesting insight into the culture of the clans, such as clan structure and cattle stealing. https://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/geog/chapter8.htm named.publicprofiler.org facebook.com/clansofscotland

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