Clans

Connect with your Clan! Many Scottish Clan Societies will be on hand with great information about clan history, genealogy resources, upcoming social and educational activities and how you can get in on the action. You can find out about Scottish and Irish Clans & Families-- you may have some connection with a clan. People are often surprised to find they have lots of ancestors who were Scots, Irish, Welsh, Cornish, Manx, Breton, or from some other "Gaelic Nation."

This year, clan societies will be in the pine trees of Casey Jones Park (just south of the baseball fields). Clan Societies exist to help create interest in their clans, to encourage those people with a "clan surname" to join the society, and to do social activities together (in the context of the clan). Clan Cunningham Society, for instance, hosted a tour to Scotland and their clan's historic sites. They also have a Clan Cunningham golf tournament.

According to Lord Lyon, the ultimate authority on heraldry (coats of arms, etc.), "Every person who has the same surname as the chief is deemed to be a member of the clan. Equally a person who offers allegiance to the chief is recognized as a member of the clan unless the chief decides that he will not accept that person's allegiance." No clan society demands a pedigree chart or documented family history to join; they (typically) seek people with a sincere interest and some declared connection to their clan. Clan society members are enthusiastic promoters of their clan's history and traditions specifically, and about Scotland and things Scottish. Scotland, especially, has benefited by all these "world-wide extended families." In essence, by joining a clan, you become a "Scottish citizen of the world."

At Day's End on Saturday (around 8:15-9:00 p.m. or so) there will be the torchlight "Calling of the Clans" featuring clan members and pipers in a twenty to forty minute reenactment of gatherings hundreds of years ago in the Highlands of Scotland.

After the torchlight ceremony, we will have complimentary ingredients to make s'mores (that is, hersey's chocolate bars, marshmellows and graham crackers) or to roast marshmellows over the campfire, plus something to drink (that would be a soft drink, like punch). The location for the "Calling of the Clans" will be in Casey Jones Park, meeting near the Front Gate. Clans wanting to carry a torch and participate are asked to check in with Larry Augsbury, Clan Chairman, during the day on Saturday (and make sure that you mark on your Clan Application that you plan to take part, so that we have enough torches).

The Kirkin' of the Tartans will take place on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. at the Celtic Dance Stage (located this year at the Dublin Stage). Participating Clans and anyone interested in taking part in the procession that begins the service, should meet near the Front Gate at 9:15 a.m. The procession will go up the Main Path (Brigadoon Lane), over Blake's Bridge and over to the Dublin Stage (this year's Celtic Dance Stage), where the service will take place.