We're taking it back to the foundations folks!  The Scots of the kingdom of Dal Riata made important contributions to the concept of the Scottish clans.  Find out what they were in this new take on one of my earliest episodes for this podcast.  This is the first in a series of podcasts revisiting the ethnic roots of the Scottish clans. Sponsor: usakilts.com Scottish Clans YouTube Channel Scottish Clans Website Check out a list of resources for studying the Scottish clans ..read more

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 this one of my all-time favorites.  I hope you enjoy it to. University of Strathclyde Course on the Highland Clans Scottish Clans YouTube Channel Scottish Clans Website Contribute to the Cause Here! Get yourself a kilt and other coo ..read more

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 that it is helpful.  Check out Dr. Pittock's books on Amazon (links below)!  They're pretty reasonably priced.  This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and a video version is on YouTube. Books:  S ..read more

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-clans.com Contribute to the cause!   Online Course:  Origins of the Scottish Clans 101 Scottish Clans YouTube Channel Sponsor:  www.usakilts.com   ..read more

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 with visual aids. Scottish Clans YouTube channel Scottish Clans Website Sponsor: USA Kilts ..read more

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 visual aids coming soon. YouTube Channel for Scottish Clans Scottish Clans Website My Sponsor: USA Kilts ..read more

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 this as much as I did. Scottish Clans YouTube channel Sponsor:  USA Kilts Contribute to the cause ..read more

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 I did. Scottish Clans YouTube channel Sponsor:  USA Kilts Contribute to the cause!   ..read more

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 website Contribute to the Cause Free Resources   ..read more

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 earlier clans, whether familiar or mysterious. My website: www.scottish-clans.com My sponsor's website:  www.usakilts.com Contribute to the team: www.scottish-clans.com/team My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel ..read more