The Fauquier Scottish Heritage Society, FSHS, is a group of individuals interested in promoting, preserving and expanding Scottish heritage, culture and history.  We are not a clan society, but an umbrella organization, accepting anyone who is interested in our goals.

            We promote Scottish heritage and culture by supporting various local Scottish dancers, National Tartan Day, and St. Andrew’s Day.  On or around January 25th of each year, we sponsor a Robert Burns’ Supper to commemorate the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland’s beloved poet.  Our meetings are fun, informal, and educational.  We always include a short program related to the history, heritage, or culture of Scotland. 

A Brief History of Ancient Scotland

          When the Roman legions invaded Britain, Scotland was originally inhabited by a people called the PICTS.  The Picts were warriors whose ferocity prevented the Romans from establishing control over Scotland.  Following the withdrawal of the Romans from Britain, the migration of Angles, Saxons, and Jutes drove the Celts of England into what are now Wales, Cornwall, and southwestern Scotland.  The Anglo-Saxons occupied southeastern Scotland.  Meanwhile another group of Celts, the SCOTTI, migrated from Ireland to Scotland settling on the western islands and along the western coast of Scotland.  The Scots gained control of what is northern Scotland about 800 AD.  Viking raids had gained control of the isles, but the Scots did not gain control of southern Scotland until about 1000 AD. 

            To the south the Anglo-Saxons had established a kingdom of their own, known as England.  The Normans, from Normandy in France, under William the Conqueror, invaded in 1066 AD and established themselves as the rulers of England.  The Anglo-Norman desire for control of all of Britain and the battling of the Scots amongst themselves led to the constant strife in Scotland. 

The Clans

Many people have misconceptions about the word “CLAN.”  Clan derives from the Gaelic “Clann” meaning “children.” However, its meaning in Scots Gaelic can be “tribe” or “race” and it can also represent a family unit.  A clan is made up of people who have sworn allegiance to a CLAN CHIEF, who is head of the clan. 

            Clans are primarily associated with the highlands and western isles.  The lowlands, which were originally occupied by Roman-Bretons or Anglo-Saxons, adopted the feudal system of the Anglo-Normans, as did the various kings of the Scots.

            Many clan names derived from the way the Gaelic Scots designated themselves.  The word “Mac” or “Mc” as it is often seen today, means “son of.”  Thus, the name “MacDonald” means “son of Donald.”  This led to many people or families being associated with a clan, but who did not possess the clan name.  Also many smaller clans swore allegiance to a larger clan for protection.  These names associated with a clan name are called “SEPTS.”

TARTANS  

The distinctive national dress of Scotland is based on the TARTAN.  The tartan represents everything that is admirable, honorable, and wholesome about Scotland.  The various tartan designs are associated with names, areas, or organizations.  However, many people do not know what a tartan is. 

            Tartan is cloth woven from threads that cross at right angles and form a repeating pattern called a SETT.  The number of threads used, called the THREADCOUNT, determines whether the color will appear as a line, square, or rectangle.  There are many rules that are followed in the designing of a tartan, which are too complicated to explain here.  Suffice it to say, these rules establish a pattern based on squares, rectangles and lines called tramlines. 

             For ladies the Scottish National dress is the kilt skirt or the sash.  Once again there are many resources available on the correct wearing of the sash.  Thompson’s book contains a chapter on the correct way to wear the sash, so one book can serve a couple.