The Appeal of the Clan Today
You live in Scotland, your family background is important to you and you are aware of it, you're also aware of Scottish history but not an expert and you are happy with your knowledge in these respects. You have a very busy life and choose how you spend your free time wisely. You see some communications about the clans and a revival of interest. It seems to be driven from international sources and therefore is understandable i.e. you know it's generally driven by those who have a link to Scotland through ancient family lineage and wish to be more connected to the culture of Scotland. When you are born and reside in Scotland then you don't need to constantly and openly celebrate the culture as you live it......however is that strictly true? Do we Scots do enough to celebrate our culture? We have distinct times when we celebrate our culture nationally but these are few and far between to be honest. Do we celebrate St. Andrews Day....not really. Our biggest celebrations are reserved for sporting events nowadays although we are unfortunately a small nation with limited resource pools to pull from and hence our hopes and desires in sport are often dashed. We are all very proud Scots but should we demonstrate that more openly and more regularly than we currently do? One concern is that by continuing our assurity in our Scottishness and not celebrating our culture a bit more, we are at great risk of losing it to those who are more passionate about our country from overseas. Let me give you an example of this that we are currently going through in the clan Logan. We haven't had a clan chief since the early 1800's when our last chief, who was in typical Logan fashion a heavy drinker and who enjoyed partying, drank away his fortune, and died destitute without heir. The clan Logan society international, currently administered from the US and comprising office bearers all of US nationality, have done a wealth of research into finding a clan chief but have to date, not been successful in finding such a person. They have done a great job in this respect and have increased their membership significantly and drawn great interest from around the world on the clan Logan. The one place where they have failed to really break into is Scotland - I imagine this is related to a lot of what is written in the paragraph above however it's not for want of trying. During their research they found out through working with the Lord Lyon’s court that they could hold a family convention to vote a person of the surname Logan into a position of commander. This commander will be tasked to find an heir for the clan chief who is of the last clan chief's family line. This is a long, complex and difficult process, tightly governed by the Lord Lyon's court and over the course of some years (at least 10), if the chosen commander cannot find an heir then said commander may be nominated as the new chief of the clan and his family line will become the new chief of the clan and family for the future. The clan Logan convention is booked for April 2025 and we are trying to get a broad geographical mix of nations to attend either in person or via video conference to demonstrate to the Lord Lyon that there is good support across the Logan family for this endeavour. To date we have much interest from the US and other diaspora however representation from Scotland remains very low. If we do not register to attend and cast our vote than a small piece of our Scottish culture leaves these shores and moves overseas. A commander from the US or Canada will be voted in and the future of our clan chieftain's line will move overseas. This is a small example of the potential dilution of our Scottish culture but be very sure that lots of these small instances have taken place already, are taking place currently and will take place as we go forward. You may be of the opinion that this is the rightful course of events as our family overseas are doing more than us and deserve the rewards for their diligent and hard work. That is a perfectly fine answer however some of us would prefer to retain our culture in Scotland and this is our chance to do a wee bit here. Even if the commander does move overseas, we can all help by working with him to further the search into finding a chief. Our ask at this time is to help us represent the family fully in Scotland and to join us at the convention either in person as a day trip out to West Edinburgh or for an hour or so online on a quiet morning. Given the opening paragraph, I guess the question might be, what's the point in those of us who live in Scotland taking part other than out of a sense of duty or a feeling of guilt that we should be representing our ancestors of the surname Logan? That’s a very good question and I’d like to offer this to not only Logans but to all those who live in Scotland and are missing an opportunity. In a general sense, a clan is a family, so you'd be joining a family. I already have all the family I need I hear you say - yes, we can all relate to “those” family members however you are joining an international family that offers benefits that can introduce a whole new world to you and your immediate family. Let's face it, like it or not, family is a cornerstone of human life and society. It's within the family unit that individuals find the strength, support, and love needed to navigate through life's challenges. The benefits of having a family are numerous and multifaceted, affecting various aspects of personal and social well-being. Engaging with the wider clan opens the doors to a much larger family where commonality of past introduces a new link to discuss and explore. It can also offer the wider benefits associated with family: Emotional Support - One of the most significant benefits of family is the emotional support it provides. Family members are often the first to offer a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear in times of distress. This emotional backing fosters a sense of security and belonging, which is crucial for mental health. Studies have shown that individuals with strong family ties are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Social Connection - Families serve as the primary source of social interaction for individuals, especially during childhood. Through family, children learn essential social skills, such as communication, empathy, and cooperation. These early social experiences lay the foundation for forming healthy relationships outside the family unit. Moreover, family gatherings and traditions strengthen social bonds and create a sense of continuity and shared identity. Financial Stability - Families often provide a safety net in times of financial hardship. Whether through direct financial support or shared resources, family members can help each other navigate economic difficulties. This financial stability allows individuals to pursue education, invest in their futures, and take risks that might otherwise be unattainable. Additionally, families can teach valuable financial management skills and encourage responsible economic behaviour. Physical Health - The benefits of family extend to physical health as well. Family members often encourage and support healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, balanced diets, and routine medical check-ups. The presence of a caring family can also reduce stress levels, which has a positive impact on overall physical health. Furthermore, family genetics can provide critical information about potential health risks and conditions, enabling proactive healthcare management. Educational Support - Families play a pivotal role in the educational development of children. Parents and guardians are typically the first teachers, imparting basic knowledge and values. They also provide encouragement and resources for academic pursuits, helping children to achieve their educational goals. A supportive family environment can significantly enhance a child's academic performance and foster a lifelong love of learning. Psychological Development - The family environment is crucial for psychological development. Positive family interactions help build self-esteem and confidence. Through the love and acceptance of family members, individuals learn to value themselves and others. Additionally, family dynamics teach important life skills, such as conflict resolution, problem-solving, and resilience. These skills are indispensable for personal growth and success. In conclusion, the benefits of family are profound and far-reaching. Families provide emotional support, social connection, financial stability, physical health, educational support, and psychological development. The strength, support, and love found within a family are invaluable resources that significantly enhance individual well-being and contribute to a healthy and thriving society. So, Logans, in Scotland especially, take the opportunity to explore some of these benefits and join us at our convention. All the details are available on the websites listed below and we will offer a very warm welcome to the family either in person or online! Register before 18 February to join a Zoom to meet the commander nominees and hear their thoughts. Register before 13 April to join the convention. www.clanloganscotland.scot www.clanlogansociety.org For support on the process or for help with registration, please contact heritage@clanlogansociety.org or helphub@clanloganscotland.scot
