A Clan can be defined as a close-knit group, whose members typically share descent from a common ancestor (www.dictionary.com).  The word Clan originates from the Gaelic word ‘Clann’ meaning: family, and children (www.scottish-at-heart.com). However it’s meaning to the people of Scotland is tribe, a representation of a family unit. 


The origins of the Scottish Clan system can be traced back throughout history to when the Romans left Britain with the intent to form a independent country.  Scotland was then divided into 5 distinct groups, the Celts, Picts, Britons, Norse and the Saxons (www.scotclans.com).  It was believed that these were the basis of the Scottish Clan system, from which the first clans descended.  The rise of the Clan system in the Highlands occurred during the second half of the 11th century, when a man by the name of Malcolm Canmore became King, relocating the power of government to the Highlands (www.scotclans.com). 

A collection of Clan creates from the great Scottish Clans 

Gaelic, was the first language of the Highland Clans and became the dominant language of the country (www.yourscottishdescent.com ).  However it began to create a great divide between the Highlands who spoke the language of Gaelic and the Lowlands who predominately did not.  As a result of this it separated the Lowland families from the Highland Clans.  Thus enabling two very different cultures to emerge. (www.yourscottishdescent.com)

The Highlanders and Lowlanders of Scotland