Council of Scottish Clans & Associations

The Scottish North American Community Conference (SNACC) in December 2024 brought together many leaders of Highland Games and Scottish Festivals local Scottish who shared their reasons why their events were unique, what challenges they are facing, and what innovations they have implemented. Here is a brief summary of their remarks: Teresa (Terri) Wiltse, Executive Director, New Hampshire Scots and the New Hampshire Highland Games admitted that the games are probably the mos

The Scottish North American Community Conference (SNACC) in December 2024 brought together many leaders of local Scottish heritage societies who shared their ideas for meeting their current challenges. Here is a brief summary of their remarks: Gus Noble, President, Chicago Scots (formerly the Illinois Saint Andrew Society) meets the challenge of attracting younger members by promoting the “Top 10 Reasons to Join Chicago Scots.” Charlie Sherwood of the Saint Andrew's Society o

By Lois Ann Garlitz, Chieftain, American Clan Gregor Society, 2016 Any organization composed of volunteers counts heavily on cooperative governance among the officers and members. Whether you are applying for a paid or volunteer position within any business or other group, one of the first things most persons ask about is what will be my responsibilities; what is my job description? American Clan Gregor Society thoughtfully crafted policies and procedures for each elected and

(Editor's note: While other COSCA articles have incorporated some results of Artificial Intelligence, or "AI," this is the first to be entirely written by the generative AI chatbot called ChatGPT. When COSCA was researching the origins of Scottish clans and families, we learned that Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie used a "ChatGPT Maclaine Historian." We learned about the origins of Maclaine and then asked "How can other clan societies set up a ChatGPT historian?" Here is the comple

Many society websites include one long page of the clan or family history, such as the Armstrong Clan Society, Clan Baird Society worldwide, and Clan Cochrane Society of North America. Others has many pages about different aspects of their history, such as the Clan Campbell Society of North America and the Family of Bruce International. Posting regular stories online and sharing them through social media can help build your membership. Studies have found that donors who recei

Explore more of your clan or family heritage with archaeological and historical research funded by Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Grants are available on a competitive basis, to help cover the costs of research relating to Scotland. Grants are generally made on the recommendation of the Grants and Awards Committee and the approval of the Society’s Council. The Society now provides two annual closing dates for grant funding applications: the 30th April and the 30th Novemb

Scottish heritage societies need to build trust among their current and potential members – especially on the internet. In April 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported that it received 880,418 complaints with potential losses exceeding $12.5 billion, which is nearly a 10% increase in complaints and a 22% increase in losses compared to 2022. Most websites collect information from its users through “cookies,” which are small pieces of data created by webserver

If your clan or family society is engaged in researching your ancestral home or associated castles, you may want to take advantage of the grants offered by the Castle Studies Trust. The Trust has announced that it is now accepting applications for the 2025 grant awards. The Trust award grants of up to £10,000 fund or co-fund projects that advance the understanding of castles. These projects could include excavations, geophysical surveys, and topographical surveys, as well a

The most well-known sources of clan and family research are the online National Archive of Scotland and ScotlandsPeople. However, clan and family societies usually maintain their own archive of their histories and genealogies. Most archives are maintained by individual society members. Other sites range from a display at a local museum or chief’s home to an area of a former church to an entire building. At least ten clans and families maintain their own stand-alone museums an

Passion alone does not create, build, and sustain Scottish heritage societies. While some new Scottish heritage societies are created every year, many more organizations languish and die. One of the problems may be the lack of different perspectives and ideas on how to operate. That is one of the reasons why gender equity is critical for our societies, especially on governing boards. In general, gender equity on nonprofit volunteer governing boards can provide: ​ Diverse Pers

Most Scottish heritage societies claim that they are attempting to attract younger members and yet few actually change the way they operate or market themselves. Rather than waiting for a younger person to stop by their table at an event or browse their website, the more successful nonprofits go where younger people get their information: TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. They also produce their content in the format used by these online platforms: vertical videos. Plus, they c

Above: Tom Campbell as the host of the Clan Conclave dinner in 2023 By Adam Wade Campbell, Deputy Utah State Commissioner, Clan Campbell Society of North America UT Deputy This is a summary of an article originally appeared in the July 2024 edition of the E-newsletter of Clan Campbell Society North America. The Society and author have kindly granted their permission for COSCA to reprint the article here. ​ In the fall of 2022, Tom Campbell, the CCSNA Utah State commissioner

Confidence (con) artists have preyed on their victims for centuries. Now the internet has attracted all kinds of online confidence schemes. As a leader of your Scottish heritage society, you should educate yourself and protect your organization from the more common types of fraud. Website Your society’s website is one of your most valuable assets. Hackers can use your online real estate for their own benefit unless you are vigilant. The first line of defense is ensuring that

Insurance is the only product that the buyer and seller hope it is never used. In a call for information, COSCA learned that most national and international clan and family societies don’t have any insurance; a few local societies have general liability and directors & officers insurance, and most all games associations have event insurance. General Liability Insurance (GLI), also known as business liability insurance or commercial general liability (CGL) insurance, covers cl

ScotlandShop has announced its acquisition of House of Tartan, the renowned "original tartan website" and home to the world's first tartan database. ScotlandShop views this less of a corporate takeover and more of a “family coming together.” The House of Tartan team and its experience will remain. Established in 1996, House of Tartan was a true innovator. The brainchild of Blair Urquhart, a visionary with a deep understanding of tartans, the company created the world's first

By Sean J. Logan, Genealogist, Clan Logan Society International NOTE: This is a summary of the article in the Member Services members-only section. I would like to share my learning journey as I went from an aspiring genealogist to my current role as the Genealogist for the Clan Logan Society International. I started by using the tool #1 the amazing work done by four of my family members. You can build off the work done by others. Then I realized that I needed to combin

The defining aspect of a Scottish clan is the Clan Chief. In the system of ancient Gaelic tanistry, these chiefs were elected by family heads in full assembly. In the 21st century, however, becoming chief has become a much more complex process. Historical Context The word “clan” is based on the Gaelic “clann” or offspring used to describe the kin group usually derived from a common ancestor. Clans may segment into subclans or lineages and may include members who have no biolo

The Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada (CASSOC) 2023 Symposium for Growth and Success includes online sessions for Member Connections, (October 28, 2023), Volunteers and Events (November 19, 2023), Heritage (December 16, 2023), and Sustainability (January 20, 2024.) Learn more here: https://www.scotscanada.ca/en/meetings/symposium-for-growth-and-success This is a summary of the fourth session, Sustainability. Symposium for Growth and Success: Sustainability William Petrie

What impact does Scottish law have on clans and chiefs? COSCA conducted a review of the Records of the Parliaments of Scotland (RPS) from the reign of Alexander II (1214 – 1249) to the Act of Union with England in 1707 to answer this question. The results may surprise you. ​ The Scottish Parliament grew out of the monarch’s “General Council” and was comprised of the “three estates” of clergy, nobility and burgesses. The RPS archives include parliaments and conventions of esta

The Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada (CASSOC) 2023 Symposium for Growth and Success includes online sessions for Member Connections, (October 28, 2023), Volunteers and Events (November 19, 2023), Heritage (December 16, 2023), and Sustainability (January 20, 2024.) Pre-registration is required. The full fee of $50 is required for non-CASSOC members. Attendance is free for all who are in member organizations of Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada. Attendance for member