Customer Reviews

Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia

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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.

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.

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.

If this book was sold by weight it would still be a wonderful buy. It is a heavy volume and very high glass paper. Much care went into making this a collector's book. The Binding is sewing not glued, so the workmanship is not often seen in books these days.

Now to the inside...two pages are dedicated to most Clans, showing excellent colour pictures of the tartan. It also lists the Clan's arms, crest, motto. It give a better than average history of each Clan, which takes up the first 2/3s of the book. The later part takes up the Armigerous Clans, many of these are often left out of works in most Clan and Tartan reference works, so this is definitely a plus. In Appendix 1 they give you a good Chronology of dates of importance in Scottish History. For a timeline, it's better than most I have been in works similar to this. Appendix 2 gives Scottish Monarchs for Kenneth I to the Union of Parliaments in 1707. Appendix 3 is a very nice glossary of Heraldic Terms - was very impressed with this section. Appendix 4 for gives septs and names associated with various Clans. I have seen this in other works, and again, this one is much better. Appendix 5 will be of special interests to people tracing their family treat as his gives you information concerning tracing genealogy in Scotland. There is an Index, with excellent fonts, so easy to read.

All in all worthy, quick reference for the Clans of Scotland.

The subject of Clans, heraldry and tartans in Scotland is massive and complex. The authors, apart from having been Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs are also Procurator Fiscal at the Court of the Lord Lyon and Chair of the Heraldry Society of Scotland. They are in an excellent position to speak on these subjects, what the book has not got is a list correcting the urban myths which have grown up about these subjects, and so allows people to think that it is incomplete or wrong. For example, one review has said that the Campbell tartan show is wrong and that clansmen should wear another. There is no right or ban on wearing any tartan, and Lady Saltoun, Chief of the Clan Fraser, points out that there are many Fraser tartans, some of which she has never even seen in use. The same is true of the Campbells.
The book concentrates on members of the Standing Council because all Chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon are invited to join. The much briefer second section relates to clans and families without such a chief. Clan Socities and Clan Associations are private clubs, and it is impossible to include their details.
The encyclopaedia gives a decent and accurate history of each clan. It could be more detailed of course, but then, each clan could fill a book, even a one of this size, on its own.

This book is an absolute bible for those interested in the origins of their surname and what tartan to wear.

As well as listing tartans and associated clans for them, this book gives a history of each clan mentioned which makes for fascinating reading.

Add to this a section on clan history in general and heraldry and you can find almost anything you wish to know about your clan.

A must for all students of Scottish ancestry.

This new book covers the active and dormant clans and families of Scotland and explains Scottish Heraldry, the Clan System, Tartans and Highland Dress. A must read for anyone interested in the history and traditions of Scotland.

Most of the books on this subject beg the issue as it tends to become quite complicated after leaving the matters of the few large, established clans.This one did not make that mistake and makes specific reference to how to obtain additional information.The colour reproductions were first rate in my copy of the book and I now use it as my standard reference on the subject, as the co-authors seem to have a commanding knowledge of the subject. I would hope that they will collaborate and publish further reference books. In a word: Excellent.

I have read more than one review of this book which refer to it as a "bible" but, sadly, this is not the case. The second reviewer from Annapolis, MD is closer to the mark, stating that it is a good companion book.

Do not purchase this book thinking it is the authoritative work on Scottish clans and families - it is not. Perhaps some corrections will be made in future editions?

Regardless, it is worth the price of admission but barely!

This was recommended to me as a valuable resource and it has proved to be so.