MARCH/APRIL 2017 THE DESERT SHAMROCK
Family Ties
PHOTOS BY JOYCE JONES, MEMBER, CLAN WALLACE SOCIETY
SCOTS
16
in Tartans What Is a Scottish Clan? BY LOIS A. WALLACE
I
often get that question when I explain to people that in my business I specialize in travel to Scotland. They may have seen Clans portrayed in movies, like Rob Roy, Braveheart or the Outlander STARZ-TV series. But what really is a Scottish Clan? And why is it important today? In North America, we are a land of immigrants, unless of course you are of Native American blood, or, as Canadians call them, First Nation. Most of us trace our heritage back to other nations. Those of us who can trace our ancestry to Scotland, be it centuries ago or mere decades, I feel have a distinct advantage: The Scottish Clan System. Time for a definition. According to Wikipedia, “A Scottish Clan (from Gaelic clann meaning “Children”) is a kinship group among the Scottish people. Clans give a sense of shared identity. In modern times have an official structure recognized by the court of the Lord Lyon who regulates heraldry and coats of arms.” The first part of that definition to many of us is the most important. In our modern fluid society of shrinking families. We search for meaning and understanding of who we are by studying who came before us. It is that sense of kinship and shared identity that a clan provides. Some people were lucky enough to have close family who instilled a sense of Scottish heritage in the younger generation. Many of these are carrying on the tradition involving their children in Scottish Clans and Culture. Others like my husband, Bob, knew Wallace was a Scottish name but little else. So how did we get so involved and immersed in all things Scottish. Twentytwo years ago we attended Scottish Games in Angels Camp, CA. There, we found the Wallace tent, were greeted and educated in all things Wallace by a dear older couple, Jan and Dick Wallace from Marysville, CA. We were hooked, as members of the Clan and the Society, we now had an extended
family all over the world. Dick has passed but Jan is still a dear friend. We recently attended the 50th Anniversary gathering of Clan Wallace Society in Salado, Texas. Our Chief, Andrew Wallace, came from Scotland to join in the celebration. This was his first official visit as Chief and a Chief of a Games. Here is what he had to say about that experience: Roots, and a sense of belonging, are an important part of the human condition but there can be few, if any, countries which have the power that Scotland has to excite the imagination and inspire such loyalty to the mother country. Here in Scotland we live with our history on a daily basis and, needless to say, treat it rather casually. On my recent visit to the Highland Gathering in Salado, Texas, I was overwhelmed by the passion, enthusiasm and loyalty to Scotland exhibited by so many different people from so many walks of life. It certainly has made me think about things that I have probably taken too much for granted. Scotland should consider itself very lucky indeed to have such enthusiastic ambassadors in so many parts of the world. Andrew R. Wallace of that Ilk, 36th Chief of the Name and Family So if you really want to know what a Clan is, come to a Highland Games event, find the clan tent area and experience. You will be welcome!
50th Anniversary Gathering of Clan Wallace Society held in Salado, Texas
Wallace tartan, published Vestiarium Scoticum Chief Andrew Wallace from Scotland
[See page 15 for this year’s Phoenix Scottish Highland Games on March 4-5] Tartan photo By Celtus (Own work) [CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
Lois Wallace is the owner of Authentic Celtic Travels, based in Phoenix, AZ. Not only is her heritage Scottish and Irish, she married into Clan Wallace. Her business focus is on all Celtic nations. She has extensive knowledge of Scotland, having traveled there numerous times individually and leading groups.
Mount Everest
was named after Welshman Sir George Everest from Gwernvale, Breconshire. www.1stcontact.com
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, but he isn’t Irish. Interactive museum at The Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland
WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM
He was born in Britain, around 385AD. His parents Calpurnius and Conchessa were Roman citizens living in either Scotland or Wales, according to different versions of his story.
As a boy of 14 he was captured and taken to Ireland where he spent six years in slavery herding sheep. He returned to Ireland in his 30s as a missionary among the Celtic pagans.
www.telegraph.co.uk