Scottish Clans

The Biggest Clans in Scottish History P t 1

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Which Scottish clans were truly the largest and most powerful? In this episode of the Scottish Clans podcast, we look at the 15 biggest Scottish clans...

The Keppoch Murders: Darkness within Clan Donald

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I read and discuss the story behind the Keppoch Murders from Stuart McHardy’s The Well of the Heads, one of the most haunting episo...

The Complex World of Gaelic Scotland

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I step away from a simple Highland–Lowland divide and draw on research from Wilson McLeod’s PhD thesis, Divided Gaels: Gaelic Sco...

The Galloway Clans: MacDowall

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Clan MacDowall (often rendered MacDougall or MacDowell in later forms) represents one of the most significant Gaelic kindreds of medieval Galloway, ro...

The Galloway Clans: McCulloch

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This episode tells the story of Clan McCulloch, a proud Galloway family with deep Celtic ties but a surprising genetic signature. We examine their doc...

The Galloway Clans: MacLellan

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Scottish Clans, we delve into Clan MacLellan, a powerhouse of medieval Galloway whose story is one of meteoric rise, bloody feuds, ...

Galloway’s Clans in the Wars of Independence — The Balliol Connection

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this second installment of our series on the Gaelic clans of Galloway, we dig deeper into a pattern that kept surfacing in every clan’s story: th...

A Small Clan with a Great History!

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join us on Scottish Clans as we journey to the wild cliffs of Trotternish on the Isle of Skye and uncover the remarkable tale of the Martins – a pro...

The Gaelic Clans of Galloway

09 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When people talk about the Gaelic clans of Scotland, they usually picture the Highlands and the Isles. But what about Galloway? In this episode, I div...

191 Betrayal in Lochaber: Clan Cameron’s Internal Clash

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we uncover a dramatic chapter in the history of Clan Cameron—a time when internal rivalries turned deadly. During the late sixteent...

190 Blood and Power in the Lennox: The Colquhouns, MacGregors, and MacFarlanes

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode traces the violent struggles that engulfed the Lennox in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, where the Colquhouns of Luss...

189 Clan Donald Heritage Hangs in the Balance

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Armadale Estate on the Isle of Skye - the modern beating heart of Clan Donald - may soon be sold. In this powerful interview, four members of the ...

188 How Gaels Really Pronounce Scottish Clan Words (Pt2)

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Aonghas MacCoinnich—native Gaelic speaker and lecturer at the University of Glasgow—we continue exploring ho...

187 How Gaels Really Pronounce Scottish Clan Words (Pt 1)

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Aonghas MacCoinnich, lecturer at the University of Glasgow and native Gaelic speaker from the Isle of Lewis. Toge...

186 The Truth about Clan Slogans/War Cries

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Where do Scottish clan slogans come from—and are they the same as heraldic mottos? In this episode, we explore the Gaelic origins of the word "...

185 Border Reivers, Ulster, and the End of the Lowland Clan World

10 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When King James VI of Scotland became James I of England, he brought sweeping changes to the Anglo-Scottish Borders and Ulster that few today connect ...

184 Clan Menzies: A Peaceful Power in Turbulent Times

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we explore the lesser-told story of Clan Menzies, a Highland clan known more for its diplomacy and loyalty than for bloodshed. While ...

182 Colonel Anne Mackintosh: The Jacobite Heroine & the Rout of Moy

15 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

During the 1745 Jacobite Rising, Colonel Anne Mackintosh defied expectations by rallying the Mackintosh clan for Bonnie Prince Charlie—despite her h...

181 How the Campbells and MacGregors went from Allies to Enemies

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we delve into the fierce conflict between Clan Campbell and Clan MacGregor, a struggle for survival that would shape Highland history...

180 Clan Chiefs and Lords: How Feudalism Relied on Kinship Pt 2

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Thanks to Christopher Menzies in our Scottish Clans Podcast Facebook group, who came up with a great question about how clan society interacted with t...

179 Clan Chiefs and Lords: How Feudalism Relied on Kinship Pt 1

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Thanks to Christopher Menzie in our Scottish Clans Podcast Facebook group, who came up with a great question about how clan society interacted with th...

178 The Last Clan Battle? Pt 2

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Was the last clan battle that which happened at Altimarlach in 1680 or the battle of Mulroy in 1688? In this two-part episode I consider the events t...

177 The Last Clan Battle? Pt 1

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Was the last clan battle that which happened at Altimarlach in 1680 or the battle of Mulroy in 1688? In this two-part episode I consider the events th...

176 These Clans Still Have Chiefs!

14 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is a small sampling of clans that still have chiefs. Some of them come from a line of chiefs which is unbroken since the founder of the clan. Oth...

175 A Different Macintyre Origin and MacDonnell of Keppoch's Candlesticks

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The book The Well of the Heads: Historical Tales of the Scottish Clans is a new addition to my library (amazon link below). It's a wealth of semi-hist...

174 10 Castles Still Owned by the Original Clan

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Fortunes rise and fall but these clans managed to hold on to these castles throughout the generations. Some of them are even still lived in by the chi...

173 Scottish Clans Foundations: The Normans

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Normans' impact on Scotland was disproportionately large compared to their genetic contribution. They were the "cool kids" and native magnates fro...

172 Scottish Clan Foundations: The Vikings

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Vikings had a profound impact on the development of Scotland (read/listen to some of Dauvit Broun's work) as well as founded several Scottish clan...

171 Scottish Clan Foundations: The Angles of Northumbria

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This group is often overlooked when discussing those groups that contributed to the foundations of the Scottish clans. Then why discuss them? Join m...

170 Scottish Clan Foundations: The Britons of Strathclyde

08 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This kingdom of Britons was a major power in what would become Scotland from the fall of the Roman Empire to it's annexation by the Scottish kings...

169 Scottish Clans Foundations: Joining the Gaels and Picts!

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I start by sharing the traditional narrative of the Gaelic takeover of the Picts. Next, I add important historical context around thi...

168 Scottish Clan Foundations- The Picts

11 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We continue with the miniseries detailing the various groups that contributed to the Clans of Scotland! In this episode, we discuss myths and traditio...

167 Scottish Clan Foundations - Scots of Dal Riata

20 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're taking it back to the foundations folks!  The Scots of the kingdom of Dal Riata made important contributions to the concept of the Scottish cla...

166 The Fight for the Lordship of Lorne: Stewarts, Campbells, and MacDougalls

06 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This one is the stuff best-selling novels, movies or series are made of!  We take a story I've told before here and, using a paper written by Prof. S...

165 Destroying Myths and Revealing the True Scottish Clans with Dr. Murray Pittock

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You won't agree with everything Dr. Pittock says but hopefully you've considered the possibility that some of your conceptions about Scottish clans ar...

164 The Appin Murder: Post Culloden Intrigue

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

During the Jacobite Rising of 1745, clans that were already at feud chose different sides and continued the conflict.  But with the failure of the ri...

163 Campbells and MacGregors with Professor Martin MacGregor Pt 2

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I hope you enjoyed the part of my discussion with Dr. Martin MacGregor.  Here is the rest of our conversation.  Now that we've established the origi...

162 Campbells and MacGregors with Professor Martin MacGregor!

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What a great experience it was to learn these two well-known clans, the Campbells and MacGregors, and their turbulent relationship from one of the mos...

161 The MacLeods of Lewis and Mackenzies with Dr. Aonghas MacCoinnich Pt 2

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I'm excited to share part 1 of the discussion that I had with Dr. Aonghas MacCoinnich!!!  He focuses on the Clans Mackenzie and MacLeod of Lewis.  Y...

160 The MacLeods of Lewis and Mackenzies with Dr. Aonghas MacCoinnich

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I'm excited to share this discussion that I had with Dr. Aonghas MacCoinnich!!!  He focuses on the Clans Mackenzie and MacLeod of Lewis.  You could ...

159 Pre-Clan Clans pt 2

02 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As promised during last episode, I share a couple more examples of earlier kindreds that begat clans that we are more familiar with today.  I also di...

158 Pre-Clan Clans

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many of the clans we recognize today formed between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries.  What is less well-known is that many of these clans evolve...

157 Scottish Clans and the Highland Charge! Pt 1

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Highland charge was a devastating military tactic that scattered enemy forces on numerous occasions.  The big question is, "Which specific clans ...

156 The Highland Charge!

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most dynamic and exciting aspects of seventeenth century Highland history was the Highland Charge.  We'll go over what a Highland charge w...

155 The Battle of Inverlochy!

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Just to get to the battlefield, the Marquis of Montrose and his Royalist forces pulled off  "one of the greatest exploits in the history of British a...

154 Irish and Scottish Clans Pt 5

23 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the last segment of my discussion with Mike Doyle of the Clans and Dynasties YouTube channel.  Many thanks to him for sharing his knowledge w...

153 Irish and Scottish Clans Pt 4

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a continuation of a discussion I had with Mike Doyle of the Clans and Dynasties youtube channel.  In this episode, we discuss: The need to tr...

152 Irish and Scottish Clans Pt 3

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a continuation of a discussion I had with Mike Doyle of the Clans and Dynasties YouTube channel.  In this episode, we discuss: The Gall-Gaedh...

151 Irish and Scottish Clans Pt 2

03 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I hope you enjoy this continuation of my discussion with Mike Doyle, from the Clans and Dynasties YouTube channel.  We discussed such topics as: The ...

150 Irish and Scottish Clans Pt 1

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I'm excited to share with you the first part of my discussion with Mike Doyle from the Clans and Dynasties YouTube channel!  He brings a great value ...

149 Busting Scottish Clan Myths with Murray Pittock

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are so many misconceptions, misunderstandings, and straight up myths regarding the Scottish clans.  For this episode I'm taking comments from S...

148 The MacRaes or ”Mackenzie’s Shirt of Mail”

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Through thick and thin, the MacRaes were there for the Mackenzies.  In this episode I discuss what it might have meant that the MacRaes were "Mackenz...

147 Mackenzie vs Huntly Over a Woman!

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I read this story and had to share it with you.  It's a story of a man's love for a woman, but it's not romantic.  It's two brothers taking care of ...

146. Professor Ali Cathcart- A feast of Scottish Clan History Pt 2

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the second part of my discussion with Prof. Ali Cathcart, of the University of Stirling.  If you want to know more about the Scottish clans, ...

145 Professor Ali Cathcart- A feast of Scottish Clan History Pt 1

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I'm excited to share with you my conversation with Ali Cathcart!  We covered such topics as: The Highland/Lowland divide (did clans exist in the Lowl...

144 Did These Clans Fight at Bannockburn? Pt 3

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the last episode in this mini-series, I take a look at a few more clans and their claim to have fought at Bannockburn.  Did these clans even exis...

143 Did These Clans Fight at Bannockburn? Pt 2

27 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is part 2 of 3 as I go over additional claims of clans that claim to have fought at Bannockburn.  Were they even in existence long enoug...

142 Did These Clans Fight at Bannockburn?

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many clans claim to have fought at the Battle of Bannockburn on 23-24 June, 1314.  This battle happened at an interesting time for the clans as we wo...

141 The MacNeils: Hebridean Pirates!

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This second part of the MacNeil episodes is taken from a book called "Highlanders: A History of the Scottish Gaels," by John MacLeod.  It focuses on ...

140 The MacNeils: One Clan or Two? More?

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This clan only has one chief: Macneil of Barra.  Should there be another?  This and more on the MacNeils in this episode.  Make sure to check out t...

139.Highland Clan Origin Legends: Macintyre and MacRae/MacRath

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Highland clan origin legends were not intended to convey absolute truth to later generations about how the clan started.  Well, then what were they i...

138 DNA and the Scottish Clans Pt 2 w/ Ethan Hunt

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Ethan gets more specific with how the study of DNA helps us understand the history of specific clans, their origins (both in support ...

137 DNA and the Scottish Clans Pt 1 w/ Ethan Hunt

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I'm excited to share with you all a milestone in this podcast's history.  Ethan Hunt joins us to teach us how the DNA helps us understand the history...

136 The Battle of Summerdale: Sinclairs vs Sinclairs

20 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Between last episode, setting the foundation, and this episode, this is the first time we've been to the Northern Isles (in this case Orkney) since I ...

135 The Sinclairs!

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Let's get to know a little bit about the Sinclairs and lay the foundation for the story of the Battle of Summerdale.  The Sinclairs are a really inte...

134 The Kidnapping MacLeod Tacksman

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the unbelievable backstory to a strong theory about why the MacLeod of Harris and Dunvegan and the MacDonalds of Sleat switched sides from bei...

133- 11 Clans that Switched Sides in the Jacobite Risings

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last time we looked at the Frasers of Lovat and examined their reasons for fighting on different sides during the Jacobite Risings of 1715 and 1745.  ...

132 Clan Fraser of Lovat and the Jacobite Rebellions: Switching Sides

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Clan Fraser of Lovat sided with the Hanoverians in the 1715 Jacobite Rising but then sided with the Stewarts in 1745.  In this episode I explore ...

131 The Bardic kindred of MacMhuirich (Currie)

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A few episodes ago I shared some history on the professional kindreds.  Robert Currie, Commander of the Name and Arms of Currie, reached out to me wi...

130 Symbols of the Scottish Clans: Kilt and Tartan

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's alway nice when you can get the words of the Gaels themselves to describe their own culture.  Here, I use an excerpt from The Everyday Life of ...

129 The Atholl Camerons? An interview with Cameron Moser

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Was there a branch of Clan Cameron is Atholl?  Not according to Wikipedia;).  Here's some cool details on something Cameron found in his research. ...

128 The Munro Clan

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Here's an episode on a few things I find interesting about the Munros, some of which get us into conversations about broader questions about Scottish ...

127 The Professional Clans

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Most often we see members of a clan come together for a common cause in the realm of warfare.  This episode highlights a welcome break from the blood...

126 Clan Territory vs Chief’s Property Pt 2

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is a continuation of the last discussion regarding the difference between what a clan chief owned and the place where his kindred called home.  ...

125 Clan Territory vs Chief’s Property

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the USA, it's Thanksgiving Day, and I'm thankful for you all!  Thank you so much for listening.  Many of you have followed up with comments and q...

124 Clan Founders: Ferchar Mac an tSagairt, Founder of Clan Ross

12 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In another installation of 'Clan Founders' we take a look at a very influential member of the native, Gaelic aristocracy who helped Scotland become wh...

123 The Kerrs - True Border Reivers

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here's an episode that comes from a listener request.  The Kerrs were everything that we think of when we hear the term "Border Reivers".  Here's a ...

122 Clan Clusters - The Flemish Clans

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Often lumped in with and undistinguished from the Normans, this group of bold adventurers begat kindreds that had a disproportionate influence on Scot...

121 The Redeswire Fray and the Rutherfords!

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Redeswirer Fray, or Raid on Redeswire, is considered by some to be the last official conflict between England and Scotland.  Follow me as I descr...

120 Highland Clans.vs Lowland Clans

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There is so much misunderstanding at the beginner level when people learn they have Scottish ancestors.  What they picture in their minds, unless the...

119 Modern Clan Societies Pt 2, feat. Young and MacGregor

07 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Following the last episode, here are my interviews with Helen at the Young Clan tent and Steven Argyle and Lois Ann Garlitz at the MacGregor tent from...

118 Modern Clan Societies, feat. Campbell and MacDonald

03 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This was a new experience for me.  We recently had the Payson Scottish Festival and I had the chance to interview Tom Campbell at the Campbell tent a...

117 - 3 Tips for Studying Your Scottish Ancestors

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I get a lot of people asking me for more information about the clan they're descended from.  In this episode, I give 3 tips for the beginner to start...

116 Which tartan do you choose?

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I ordered a new kilt!  How does someone pick a tartan for a kilt?  If I had a Scottish last name, it would be pretty straightforward.  But I don't....

115 What was the Origin of the Campbells? - From Stephen Boardman’s ’The Campbells’

04 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Campbells were one of the most powerful clans in Scotland.  What was their origin?  Were they Gaels from Dal Riata?  Britons of Strathclyde?  ...

114 How did the Clans come to the Lowlands?

21 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In and interview with Bruce from Scotland History Tours, Dr. Martin MacGregor of the University of Glasgow shared some fascinating perspectives about ...

113 Did the MacPhersons Stay with Clan Chattan?

08 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this final episode on the MacPhersons, I share how the nature of the MacPherson clan relationship with the rest of Clan Chattan as well as the stor...

112 How the MacPhersons Came to Badenoch

24 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We continue the deep dive into the Clan Chattan and how they, and specifically the MacPhersons, came to be in Badenoch.  Also available on Apple Podc...

111 How Are Clan Chattan and Clan MacPherson connected?

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Clan Chattan, the MacPhersons, and the Chattan Confederation played a major role in the history of the central and eastern Highlands.  At the sam...

110 Did the Clan System Come from Feudalism? Pt 2

05 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Did the clan system emerge out of the feudal system brought by the Normans or did it merge with and influence something that had already been in Scotl...

109 Did the Clan System Come from Feudalism?

05 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Did the clan system emerge out of the feudal system brought by the Normans or did it merge with and influence something that had already been in Scotl...

108 Gaelic Words for Clans and Kinship

16 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In English, we say "clan".  But in Gaelic, the kin-based system is so much more developed, and this is evident in Gaelic vocabulary.  In this episod...

107 The MacSweeneys: A Scottish or an Irish Clan?

24 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The MacSweens/MacSweeneys had a very dynamic history.  One thing is for sure, whenever they were knocked down, they got back up again and improved th...

106 How did Highland Clans Decide Succession? Pt 2

05 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Right after releasing the last episode, I was able to acquire a copy of Alison Cathcart's "Kinship and Clientage: Highland Clanship 1451-1609."  It r...

105 How did Highland Clans Decide Succession?

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In many descriptions of the Highland Clans, Tanistry is often given as the method used to decide succession among chiefs.  I have already done an epi...

Episode 104 The Magical Fairy Flag of the MacLeods Pt 2 and Clan Maps

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I finish what I started in the last one about the MacLeods' Fairy Flag and its use in the Battle of Glendale.  Did it turn out how t...

Episode 103 The Magical Fairy Flag of the MacLeods

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the same vein as the last episode on the Brahan Seer, we dive into some clan folklore.  This time we're with the MacLeods and their Fairy Flag.  ...

Episode 102 The Brahan Seer: A Mackenzie Prophet

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We're taking a bit of a turn in the world of the clans by getting into folklore with this episode.  Coinneach Odhar got a supernatural start to his s...

Episode 101 The Battle of Glen Affric:The Mackenzies vs the Rosses...kind of

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A little-known episode in the Jacobite story, the Battle of Glenn Affric was the result of differing views regarding who had the authority to collect ...

Episode 100! The Chisholms! 5 Interesting Things

01 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Chisholm's started in the Scottish Borders but through advantageous marriages became established in the Highlands.  After a couple of generations...