UK Prime Minister David Cameron has referenced his clan heritage in an appeal to keep Scotland part of the United Kingdom. In a speech given in East London last Friday, Cameron urged Scots and Britons to defend their shared history and heritage by voting against the upcoming referendum on Scottish Independence. With only seven months […]
Half of all men in the United Kingdom with the surname Stewart, or Stuart, can claim ancestry from Scotland’s Royal family. Research released by ScotlandsDNA has revealed for the first time the individual in the 13th century who founded a branch of the Royal Stewart line. In the United Kingdom alone there are about 70,000 […]
Despite our campaign to have the Rowan crowned as Scotland’s national tree, we’re rather blue to report that the Scots Pine has officially taken out the title. Last year thousands of Scots voted for their favourite tree in a nationwide consultation, after a Glasgow tree-campaigner bought forward a petition to Scottish Parliament. The most widely […]
This time tomorrow I’ll be jet-setting across the ditch to Ireland for a quick break with my wee brother who is currently visiting me in Edinburgh. We’ll be spending some time in Dublin and Galway, before heading up to Northern Ireland, then back home to Scotland. I’m looking forward to connecting some ancestral puzzle pieces, […]
A Shetland fire station has been forced to close its doors as the result of a viking fire festival. Two fire fighters from the station on the Island of Bressay have refused to shave their beards ahead of today’s Up Helly Aa festival, which celebrates Shetland’s Viking heritage and culminates with the dramatic burning of […]
This posting is a guest posting by Margaret who works at VieAmhor Apartments, an edinburgh based holiday letting agency set right in the heart of Edinburgh’s old town. As you walk up the Royal Mile, it’s hard to miss the arched entryways that sit on either side. Signposted with odd names like ‘Fleshmarket’, ‘Lady Stair’s’ […]
As dusk fell over Culloden Moor on the 16th April 1746 the last major land battle to be fought on British soil had drawn to a conclusion. With close to 2,000 dead and wounded Jacobites the campaign to restore the Stewart monarchy to the throne had been dealt a decisive final blow. In the days […]
Donors are currently being sought to help preserve ancestral land home to Clan MacNicol/MacNeacail for at least 800 years. The Clan MacNicol Federation are currently seeking donations from around the world to cover maintenance, insurance and upkeep on land known as Scorrybreac at Ben Chracaig on the Isle of Skye. Scorrybreck spans 130 acres of […]
The Clan MacThomas Society has announced that the Clan Diamond Jubilee Gathering will be held in Pitlochry & Glenshee, Scotland over the English Bank Holiday weekend of 22-26 August 2014. Details of the hotel, together with provisional details of the programme, were announced in the 2013 edition of the Clach Na Coileach magazine, which has […]
Hot off the Heraldry press, we’re pleased to report that a new Lord Lyon King of Arms was appointed in Edinburgh last week. Dr Joseph Morrow, an advocate with degrees in theology law, was appointed as the 38th Lord Lyon following the resignation of David Sellar MVO, FSAScot, FRHistS late last year. Dr Morrow has […]
