What does "my clan" or "my chief" mean?

[Scotus]

I am very aware, however, that absence makes the heart grow fonder, that distance can obliterate memories of hardship and suffering and give the individual a pair of rose-tinted spectacles about many things others might prefer to forget.

What you say is true. I think this is why many Americans and Canadians participate in Highland games, eating haggis, etc., as you say. To be fair, there are Scotsmen, born and raised, who also love to participate in these things, and see it as an important part of their culture.

As long as they don't take the next step down the road and start believing "that tartan is mine and no-one else must wear it" or worse still "my clan right or wrong". That way is the way of division and strife.

I agree. As I state, for me it's more of a point of reference, sense of belonging to something that is related to my ancestry, etc. I believe history and the past are very important.

[timseh]

As a relative newcomer here, I'd like to share my thoughts on this...

I've been doing a lot of digging into my family history recently and have learned some fascinating things, especially when it comes to my ties to Scotland (and other countries as well) and the history behind it.

The very idea of the old clan system is a highly romanticized fantasy for me. (did that make sense?) It's an ideal that represents, as others have said, something bigger than myself. Something I can be a part of and that helps me to define, somewhat, what I am and where I came from.

Being separated from that for several centuries, however, made it difficult for me to really make that connection solid in my mind. That was a bit disappointing until I realized that I currently belong to what I see as one of the best modern examples of what the clans once were... true, the analogy isn't perfect. The members of my clan don't tend to be blood relatives, but we have a shared history, shared experience, strong traditions and can easily identify our "Chief".

I'm a Marine. (There is no such thing as an Ex Marine, after all.) My Tartan is the USMC Leatherneck, my Clan Motto is Semper Fidelis and my Clan Chieftan is General James Conway. My brothers are all those who wear or have worn the Eagle Globe & Anchor with honor.

I've identified ties to Clan Stirling and Clan MacAlpine if I take my lineage back far enough, but those mean little to me. The Corps is my clan.

Just my thoughts for what they're worth.

[wyldathart]

What others in this thread have stated is pretty much true for me as well. I know the the word clan holds something different now and that it was highly romanticized. I also know that the Tartans aren't that important in this day and age.
The reason I enjoy the whole Scottish thing is because it appeals to me. I like wearing a kilt in my clans tartan. It makes me feel good. I like wearing a Balmoral with my clan badge. I like wearing a 13 " blade on my belt because it makes me feel good. I think thats where folks get the idea that wearing a kilt changes your demeanor, because it does. It makes you feel good and you act differently. It puts a spring in your step.
Now do I take it really seriously? Not really, I know my chief isn't gonna ring up one day and call me to arms lol. I know that I'll never have to pull out my dirk and slice some fool to bits ( Although sometimes I think some people deserve it LOL ) The point is all of it makes me feel good, and in a time like this we all need something to put a spring in our step.