The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs (SCSC) is an organisation that represents many prominent clan chiefs and Chiefs of the Name and Arms in Scotland. It claims to be the primary and most authoritative source of information on the Scottish clan system.

History

The organisation was originally founded in 1952 by

Diana Hay, 23rd Countess of Erroll Diana Denyse Hay, 23rd Countess of Erroll (5 January 1926 – 16 May 1978) was a British noblewoman. Early life Diana was the only child of Josslyn, Earl of Errol and his first wife Lady Idina Sackville. She was born in Kenya. Their home was a ...

and chief of

Clan Hay Clan Hay (Scottish Gaelic: ''Garadh or MacGaradh'') is a Scottish clan of the Grampian, Grampian region of Scotland that has played an important part in the history and politics of the country. Members of the clan are to be found in most parts ...

, who served as the

Lord High Constable of Scotland The Lord High Constable is a hereditary, now ceremonial, office of Scotland. In the order of precedence of Scotland, the office traditionally ranks above all titles except those of the royal family.p60-61, Bruce, Alistair, Keepers of the Kingdo ...

at the time. Since its founding, the council has convened regularly to discuss matters of importance to the clan system. As of August 2023, Sir Malcolm MacGregor, chief of

Clan Gregor Clan Gregor, also known as Clan MacGregor, is a Scottish Highlands, Highland Scottish clan that claims an origin in the early 9th century. The clan's most famous member is Rob Roy MacGregor of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The clan ...

, is currently serving as the acting convenor of the council. Sir Malcolm assumed the convenor role following Donald MacLaren, chief of

Clan MacLaren Clan MacLaren () is a Scottish Highlands, Highland Scottish clan.. Traditional clan lands include the old parish of Balquhidder which includes the villages of Lochearnhead and Strathyre, and is about long and broad, spanning , long known as " ...

in July 2023. Prior to MacLaren's tenure, Sir Malcolm had previously held the role himself.

Objectives

The non-political Council has several key objectives: # To consider matters affecting Scottish chiefs,

clans A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, a clan may claim descent from a founding member or apical ancestor who serves as a symbol of the clan's unity. Many societie ...

, and their associated names. # To submit views and represent the interests of chiefs, clans, and names to various government bodies, including

HM Government His Majesty's Government, abbreviated to HM Government or otherwise UK Government, is the central executive authority of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

, Departments of State, and the

Scottish Government The Scottish Government (, ) is the executive arm of the devolved government of Scotland. It was formed in 1999 as the Scottish Executive following the 1997 referendum on Scottish devolution, and is headquartered at St Andrew's House in ...

. # To submit views and represent interests to local authorities, the press, and the general public. # To engage with associations connected to clans and families both in Britain and overseas. # To educate the general public about the historical rights, roles, and positions of Scottish chiefs and the clans/names they represent. # To take steps deemed prudent to protect the titles,

coats of arms A coat of arms is a heraldic visual design on an escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the last two being outer garments), originating in Europe. The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic ac ...

, or other insignia of chiefs from inappropriate commercial exploitation or misuse.

Non-members

The following chiefs have, by their own request, been removed as members of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs: *

James Carnegie, 3rd Duke of Fife James may refer to: People * James (given name) * James (surname) * James (musician), aka Faruq Mahfuz Anam James, (born 1964), Bollywood musician * James, brother of Jesus * King James (disambiguation), various kings named James * Prince Ja ...

- Chief of

Clan Carnegie Clan Carnegie is a Lowland Scottish clan. History Origins of the clan Walter de Maule made a grant of the lands and barony of Carnegie, in the parish of Carmyllie, Angus to John de Balinhard in 1358. However, there is no certain record of the ...

The Highlander
the Magazine of Scottish heritage; April 2009; 2009 Directory; Published by Angus J. Ray Associates; ISSN 0161-5378, USPS 579200) *Charles Fergusson - Chief of

Clan Fergusson Clan Fergusson is a Scottish clan.Way, George and Squire, Romily. ''Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia''. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). Published in 1994. Pages 136 ...

* Alexander Haig, 3rd Earl Haig - Chief of

Clan Haig Clan Haig is a Lowlands Scottish clan. History Origins The 13th century poet, Thomas the Rhymer, made the prophecy ''Tyde what may, what'er betyde, Haig shall be Haig of Bemersyde''.Way, George and Squire, Romily. ''Collins Scottish Clan & Fam ...

* Robert Lindsay, 29th Earl of Crawford and 12th Earl of Balcarres - Chief of

Clan Lindsay Clan Lindsay is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands. History Origins of the clan The Lindsays were prominent in both England and Scotland from the late 11th century. The surname derives from the region of Lindsey, Lincolnshire, Lindsey in ...

*David Menzies - Chief of

Clan Menzies Clan Menzies (IPA: Help:IPA/English, /ˈmɪŋɪs/ - ); ; a member is a ''Mèinnearach'') is a Scottish Highlands, Highland Scottish clan. History Origins of the Clan Mesnières in Normandy was the original home of the Normans, Norman fam ...

* Bruce Murray, 12th Duke of Atholl - Chief of

Clan Murray Clan Murray () is a Highland Scottish clan. The chief of the Clan Murray holds the title of Duke of Atholl. Their ancestors were the Morays of Bothwell who established the family in Scotland in the 12th century. In the 16th century, descendants ...

Grey Ruthven, 2nd Earl of Gowrie Alexander Patrick Greysteil Hore-Ruthven, 2nd Earl of Gowrie, (26 November 1939 – 24 September 2021), usually known as Grey Gowrie or Lord Gowrie, was an Irish-born British hereditary peer, politician, and businessman. Lord Gowrie was also ...

- Chief of

Clan Ruthven The Clan Ruthven () is a Lowland Scottish clan.Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). ''Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia''. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 310 - ...

References

External links

The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs website
Organisations based in Edinburgh {{Scotland-clan-stub British nobility Scottish nobility Nobility associations Scottish clan chiefs

History

Objectives

Non-members

See also

References

External links