Who are Scotland's Clan Chiefs?

[MacRob]

Women cannot be clan chiefs under traditional clan law I thought. If no suitable male heir is available then the chief is meant to be chosen from within a male kingroup, the derbfine. It's the principle of tanistry which is how the Gaels of Ireland and Scotland selected their leaders. The reasoning in part is that clan names are taken from a supposed male ancestor, they can't be conferred from the female line though I suppose adoption is a possibility.

Not so at all. The Chief of Clan Gunn has a son who has three daughters. Unless something changes, the eldest girl will be chief at some point.

A derbhfine is actually a meeting of leading members of the clan to decide on important questions, like who will be chief. Tanistry is more flexible than is usually believed.