Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia [Hardcover]

George Way (Author), Romilly Squire (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1995

This reference work on the clans of Scotland is produced with the co-operation of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and features a history of the clan system, the law of the clan, a history of tartan and Highland dress and a history of clan heraldry. It gives detailed listings of the crests, mottoes, tartans, clan seats, chiefs, septs and histories of over 350 clans. The appendices include Scottish genealogy, tartan collections, and important clan organizations in Scotland and abroad.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins (February 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0004705475
• ISBN-13: 978-0004705477
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,355,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Authoritative Work on Scottish Clans, August 31, 2000

By 

Jim Terzian (the San Francisco Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

Scotland's history is a tapestry of heroes, legends, exploits and tragedies, woven on the weft of her Clans. Those wanting to see into this history, to learn about their Clan and being a clansman, or to understand Clan lore, Clan Law, Highland Display, and Scots Heraldry, should have a copy of this book.

The Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia covers Scottish history, Clanship, Tartans, Heraldry, and related matters in general. It then goes on to detail the specific history of each Clan and its leaders, to illustrate the official clan tartans and insignia, and to indicate which families and septs are associated with each clan. The histories and symbols of many prominent Scottish families are also included.

But with hundreds of books published on Clans and Tartans, and more coming out every year, why this one?

Because it is the best fact book on the subject. Written by the Secretary of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and his Deputy, an Heraldic artist in the Court of the Lord Lyon (Scotland's Chief Herald) and at the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland, this book provides the most accurate and up-to-date information on Scots Clans, Chiefs, Tartans, and Heraldic practices.

If you want a coffee table picture book, a novel for bedtime or a traveler's souvenir, I recommend something else.

If you want the authoritative source, this is the one to own.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More comprehensive than any other tartan book on the planet!, January 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

This is the first book I've seen that even lists Clan Leask--tartan, badge and all! It gets my vote. If you're in the market for a book on clan history, tartans, etc. BUY THIS ONE!! Forget the rest.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Good Companion to other Scottish Clan Books, February 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

If only one book on the subject of Scotland's clans and families were truly all encompassing, this book would in fact be the one to buy. But no one book can do the subject of Scotland's people justice. While this `encycolpedia' does provide some very interesting and informative items, such as just what a clan encompasses, it does repeat many of the same errors on family associations that prior authors on the subject have made. One might think with the credentials of the authors that their research would have been much better. For example: On Campbell, the tartan shown is that of Campbell of Argyll, which is the incorrect tartan. The Campbell of Argyll tartan was designed specifically for use by one the Past Dukes of Argyll as his own `personal tartan'. It is not to be worn by members of the clan. The Ancient Campbell tartan, also known as the Blackwatch tartan is the tartan which may be worn by all Campbells.

Additionally this book wants in explaining exactly what The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs is - it is a private association of certain chiefs, and omits from its membership some "officially' recognized chiefs of Scottish clans. The book may give the uniformed reader the impression that the `Council' somehow helps The Court of the Lord Lyon make determinations on who is or is not the Chief of a Clan or Head of a Family. There is a blurring of the facts here. The Court of the Lord Lyon is the only authority in Scotland who may ratify and confirm Chiefs. The Lord Lyon signature on papers known as Letter Patent and on the Matriculation document, amounts to the Queen's signature ratifying the Chief of a Clan or Family. Only Lyon's signature and Seal of Office on such official state documents makes a Chief a Chief. That there is an omission of certain Chiefs and their clans from the work is obvious.

The index of names and clan associations is also lacking. There are many Scottish surnames which have clan or family associations which are not to found within the pages of this work. Likewise there are Scottish surnames which have no clan associations at all, and some names which have no tartans associated with them whatever.

Much of the History and Heraldry contained in the book is well done, there is no denying this. The Heraldry in particular is one of the better features, and there is likely no other book on the market which shows the richness and brilliance of Scots Heraldry. The banners, standards and clan crests badges of the Members of the Standing Council are well done, but for the Armigerous clans and families at the rear of the book, their herldry, history and accuracy is very lacking indeed. In fact, some families or clans are not mentioned at all.

While this book is certainly NOT a Clan Bible, it makes a good companion for other such books. It is still a good source of reference, and a must have for anyone interested in Scotland's colorful past as well as learning about the presence of the clans as they exist today.