A little slice of Highland clan history

[Rex_Tremende]

I really dig the graphics, Scott. Thanks for posting - interesting links.

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati.

[Cawdorian]

Some of the clans were noted for their ships and "navy", Clan Campbell had numerous longboats of different sizes, many of these were leased to the king for certains periods of time to supplement their fleets. (See "History of Clan Campbell", Vol I by Alaistair Campbell) I would also presume Clan McDonald was noted for their ships, one of the symbols on their clan badge is a longboat.

The reliance on longboats by some of the clans is not very well documented, but with the some of the clans scattered out over the islands, it would seem reasonable that longboats were a common mode of transportation.

Can any of you historians shed any light on the longboats?

[kiltedjaz]

Hi Scott.... I just found your posting today...don't know how I managed to miss it :rolleyes:
VERY interesting. The site is fascinating well worth a visit. The Western Isles must be one of my most favourite places, so barren in places but so beautiful.
Many thanks for the post.
James

[Scott Gilmore]

VERY interesting. The site is fascinating well worth a visit. The Western Isles must be one of my most favourite places, so barren in places but so beautiful.

I envy you your familiarity with that place. Someday soon ...

When I started investigating my heritage, to be honest I wasn't (and still am not) particularly interested in finding out who specifically my distant relatives were so much as the kind of life they lead, what motivated them to do the things they did. Why so many of them moved (back to) Northern Ireland, and then later on to North America, and in my family's case, on to Western Pennsylvania.

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm more interested in the content of the character of my ancestors than what their names and dates of birth were. The Western Isles were the genesis of my father's family, and as such, I think may give me some clues about our past.

That search lead me to stories of Dun Eistean, the Blackhouse Village, Andrew Morrison (a.k.a. Viscount Dunrossil honorary British Consul in San Antonio, Texas), and a wealth of facinating historical society Web sites with their photo galleries* and tales of times past.

Carol and I have a dream of retiring to that part of the world. If we can swing it - and we're working hard to make it happen - we'd like to spend many years visiting and becoming intimately familiar with Ireland and Scotland. In the meantime, I find myself pleasantly immersed in the subject as often as possible.

Thanks all for the friendly conversation.

Regards,
Scott Gilmore

* Nice to know us Yanks aren't the only goofy looking kilt wearers in the world. That link leads to one of my people. Yupper!