As hereditary Chief of a Scottish Clan, I feel a strong sense of duty, reaching out to my fellow kinsmen worldwide, to bring them together in friendship, embracing our past and enjoying all aspects of our Clan Society today. Our activities are far reaching, from Highland and Celtic Games and Clan Gatherings to exploring our history, ancestry, Highland dress, tartan, music, dancing, Gaelic traditions and whisky.
I greatly enjoyed my first visit to Australia last year, when I was privileged to be Games Chieftain at the Bundanoon Highland Games in April. My Clan Society team, headed by Hon Troy Grant, took me on a splendid tour over the Mountain Range from Sydney to Brisbane, taking in local Scottish heritage sites at Glen Innes and Maclean.
I was delighted to be invited by Ian Young and the Committee to be Chieftain at the Melbourne Highland Games and Celtic Festival on 29 March. I am very much looking forward to that occasion, visiting Melbourne and meeting both Grants and fellow Celtic followers alike.
My great grandfather Frank, being a second son, emigrated to New Zealand in 1870, seeking fame and fortune, as was typical at the time. He farmed near Otago, stood for Parliament in 1884 and became the Earl of Seafield in 1888. He died shortly after and was buried in Oamaru.
His eldest son, James inherited and returned to the UK, only to die in the trenches in 1915, passing the Seafield titles to his daughter Nina and the Grant titles and Chieftainship of the Clan to his brother Trevor, my grandfather, who became Lord Strathspey. He returned to the UK with his family in 1912, the year his son Patrick was born, my late father.
I therefore have a strong connection with New Zealand. We are re-starting our Society there, which in the 80s had more members than our US Society! Canada also has a special significance for me, as a Baronet of Nova Scotia. The title was granted in 1625, by King James 1st of England and 6th of Scotland to my forebears, who helped fund an early settlement mission to Nova Scotia.
I attended a 400-year Anniversary Celebration at Stirling Castle last July, which included lectures about the Mission, early settlers and the present day. My title of Lord Strathspey is a Barony, which allowed my forebears to sit in the House of Lords in Westminster. As the senior title, this takes precedence over the Baronetcy title of Sir and is therefore my correct form of address.
The Chieftainship of the Clan is my most significant position
I regard the Chieftainship of the Clan is my most significant position. My mission is to support our Clan worldwide, increase global participation in events and history, developing and sustaining our bond of kinship. I helped my late father set up the International Societies in the 1980s and am following his footsteps in my various trips abroad and Clan activities. Life is now so very different, the internet and social media bringing instant connectivity, the sharing of ideas and events as they happen. This necessitates a change in the way our Societies are run, embracing the new technology.
Personal contact remains all important and thankfully meeting together, whether at a Gathering, Games or just socially remains key, IT (in theory!) simply making all such arrangements easier to set up and manage.
Our Societies in the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand are either re-starting or evolving in a similar manner. We have agreed to set up a global website and a digital historical archive for all to share, access and enjoy.
Meanwhile, we have launched the Grant 1714 tartan, one of the earliest Clan tartans on record, the traditional Clan tartans, including Grant, having been registered in the 1850s. We are following this with the launch of a Grant 1714 branded Highland single malt Scotch whisky.
I work closely with all those involved in the Societies, trying to help bring about change, expand our “offering” and reach out to members, both old and new, embracing the spirit and bond of Kinship.
Our Annual Gathering in Scotland will take place from 7-13 August in Grantown on Spey, including the Abernethy Games on 8th and the Grantown Show on 13th. All Grants, affiliated families and friends are all most welcome!
I feel blessed to work with our Clan Grant Society teams and to meet the ancestors of longstanding Grant families from around the world.
Standfast Craigellachie!
Your Chief, Michael, Lord Strathspey
For details on the Clan Grant Society visit: www.clangrant.org or Clan Grant USA at: www.clangrant-us.org.
The Melbourne Highland Games and Celtic Festival takes place on Sunday March 29th for information visit: www.melbournehighlandgames.org.au
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