Reference CBBC NEWSROUND April 23 2022 online
An Ancient Scottish clan are planning to reunite for the Inauguration of a new Chief for the first time in over 300 Years.
The Buchanan Clan will make John Michael Baillie-Hamilton Buchanan, Chief in October 2022.
This is the first time the Clan have had a Chief or an assembly of Clan leaders -known as a Parliament -since the 17th century.
The Clan are hoping that as many Clan members, or Clansfolk, and people associated with Clan Buchanan, will come together for the inauguration.
An inauguration is a ceremony that is held to swear someone into a position of power.
John Michal Baillie-Hamilton will make promises to the Clan, and take a position of leadership after the ceremony.
His heritage to the crown was discovered after years of research by expert, Hugh Peskett.
The ceremony will take place on October 8 2022 and will be held at the modern Clan’s base, the Cambusmore Estate in Perthshire.
The new Chief said “For centuries our ancient Clan was left without a Chief or Clan parliament, but this year we are finally gathering in Scotland.
This is a chance to restore Scottish traditions that have been confined to the history books for hundreds of years, bringing them back with a thoroughly modern twist. “
CLAN BUCHANAN dates back to 1010 in Scotland
The last Chief was John Buchanan, who died in 1681. He died without a son, so there was no one to pass the chief seat to.
What will the gathering be like?
The weekend of October 82022 will have millennia-old Clan rituals and a stone throw carved by specialist craftsmen . New Clan jewels have been made to look like the ones that would have existed in the 17 century. This will include the ancestral sword of Leny which is a white rod to symbolise Clan justice , and a falcon -shaped sguian dubh , the small knife worn with a kilt .
Families who are associated with a Clan used to be known as septs.
There ae over 5 million members of the Clan across the world and the new chief will lead them as the head of the Clan parliament. He aims to discuss how the traditions of the Clan can be modernised and brought into today’s world.
Clan members around the world
In Scotland, Clan members can be traced back to 1010. There are also Clan members elsewhere in the UK , USA, Canada, Australia , New Zealand and other places across the globe .
There are 120 surnames associated with the Clan.
Clan Buchanan are represented by the Buchanan Society, the oldest Clan Society set up in 1725. David Byrne , President of the Clan Buchanan Society international said “what has been most encouraging to Clans folk scattered across the world, is the Chief’s modern approach ,while still embracing our heritage and traditions . We’ve used this as an opportunity to renew pride in the history of Clan Buchanan alongside a new sense of purpose as we look to the future”
February 16 2023
