The Scottish Clans Podcast

Episode 13, The Border Reivers, An Introduction

The Borders Reivers are not what you imagine when you think of Scottish icons.  They weren't kilted light infantry swinging claymores, charging into battle to the sound of the Highland pipes.  But their history is not less colorful, nor their stories any less exciting than their northern countrymen.  Join me as I discuss these raiding, feuding, daring Borderers and tell the tale of the Battle of Dryfe Sands!

Episode 12 The Battle of Harlaw

One of the bloodiest battles in Scottish history, Harlaw involved a multitude of clans and pitted the men of the western Highlands and Isles against the men of northeast Scotland.  Included in this campaign was the Battle of Dingwall, near Inverness, where the men of the Mackenzie, Mackay, Fraser, and Dingwall clans tried, unsuccessfully, to check the advance of the Lord of the Isles and his men.  Hope you enjoy.

Episode 11 The Origin of the Lords of the Isles

Somerled, the founder of the Lordship of the Isles...or was he?  In this episode, I discuss some of the things I have found through reading "Kinship, Church and Culture".  Where did the Lordship of the Isles have its beginning?  This is a huge topic for those of you with MacDonald, MacDougall or MacRory ancestry.  I also discuss the connection between the MacRorys and the MacDonnells of Clan Ranald.  

Episode 10 Is Your Clan Really a Clan? and Thoughts on Kilts

There is a difference in the way Highland clans and Lowland clans are presented in many of our clan sources.  This leads us to wonder how similar they really were.  Were the Lowland clans really more like English aristocratic families (with the exception of the Border clans, who are portrayed more like the Highland clans)?  I found some answers and look forward to sharing my research with you.

Episode 9 The Problem with our Sources

This episode is meant to help those of you who want to do some of your own research on the clans of Scotland.  There is a discrepancy between what is available on a general internet search and what the scholarly community has accomplished.  As long as we know what we're getting into, we can handle some of these flaws in the sources.

Episode 8 The Appin Stewarts vs the Rest of Argyll

This has got to be one of the most exciting stories in Highland history.  Feuds, ambushes, sieges, plotting.  This story needs to become either a bestselling novel or a blockbuster hit.  The Stewarts of Appin are in the center of the story, with John, Lord of Lorn, trying to pass on his inheritance to an illegitimate son, Dugald, if he can live long enough to do it.
Also, there is some information on the MacFarlanes, who play an antagonistic role.  Below are some links.  The first is to Electric Scotland, which was the source I read the story from.  Follow more links at the bottom of that webpage for more study.
https://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/stoz/appin_stewarts.htm

Episode 7 The Cameron vs Mackintosh Feud

The Cameron vs Mackintosh feud is one of the most infamous and long-lasting feuds in Scottish history.  Who won?  Well, that depends on what perspective you take.  Which clan won the most battles that we have record of?  Which clan was in better shape when the feud ended?  Which clan achieved their objective?  These are the questions we seek to answer in this episode.
Here is a link to the Scottish Clans facebook page: facebook.com/clansofscotland or fb.me/clansofscotland.  To message me, follow this link: m.me/clansofscotland.  
Use the Facebook page to continue this conversation.
Here are some links to the sourced I used for this episode.
http://www.clan-cameron.org/battles/1570.html
http://www.clan-cameron.org/battles/1665.html
http://www.clan-cameron.org/battles.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand-off_at_the_Fords_of_Arkaig
 

Episode 6 Popular Presentation of the Scottish Clans

When someone wants to learn more about the Scottish clans, or about a specific clan, where do they go?  On an internet search, which websites pop up at the top of the list?  I look into this subject, describing and critiquing these sources.  What's your primary source to learn about the clans?  Find the Scottish Clans Facebook page and let me know there.