CLAN CONVENERS- Registration Form at the bottom of this page
TORCHLIGHT PARADE & CALLING OF THE CLANS CEREMONY IS SATURDAY OCTOBER 10th BEGINNING AT 6.45PM with Line Up at 6:30 in front of Clan Row
The word clan is from the Gaelic word “clanna” meaning “children.” Originally each clan was made up of the descendants of one man and his children. The clan names which are in use today have come down from the founders of the royal dynasties of the Picts, the Scots and the Vikings in the Highlands as well as the noble families of the Britons, Flemish, Normans, Angles, and Saxons in the Lowlands and Borders.
Almost all Scottish clans have more than one tartan attributed to their surname. Although there are no rules on who can or cannot wear a particular tartan, and it is possible for anyone to create a tartan and name it almost any name they wish, the only person with the authority to make a clan’s tartan “official” is the chief. In some cases, following such recognition from the clan chief, the clan tartan is recorded and registered by the Lord Lyon. Once approved by the Lord Lyon, after recommendation by the Advisory Committee on Tartan, the clan tartan is then recorded in the Lyon Court Books. If in at least one instance a clan tartan appears in the heraldry of a clan chief, the Lord Lyon considers it to be the “proper” tartan of the clan.
The Clans Tents offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience a living part of Scottish heritage. Clan representatives, called Conveners, gather to share stories, traditions, genealogy and the enduring and very active legacy of Scotland’s clans. Some of the features of our convener booths include;
Genealogy & History: Access experts who can trace your family surname, history, and lineage.
Hospitality & Seating: Enjoy a friendly place to sit, rest, chat, and escape the main festival crowds.
Tartan Displays: View specific family tartans, crests, maps, and historical battle artifacts.
Networking & Maps: Connect with regional or international society members and local representatives.
Exclusive Swag: Purchase or view specialized clan merchandise, badges, and memorabilia.
2026 HONORED CLAN- CLAN MACLEAN
Clan Maclean Association in the United States (CMAUS) is an independent, non-profit national organization open to all Macleans (regardless of spelling), and recognized related families. CMAUS is a member of Clan Maclean International along with Maclean associations in other countries. Our members are passionate about preserving and sharing the history of our ancient clan and its families. We work to preserve the genealogical records of our families, collect stories, music, and history for future generations. We host educational activities that preserve and continue the traditions of our ancestors, and a tent for the Clan Maclean at most of the Scottish games and gatherings in the U.S. and other events throughout the year.
The Clan Maclean Association is a community that encourages the sharing of clan and family history, the preservation of genealogical records, the collection of clan traditions, music, stories, and the education of its members in all maters to our shared history and Scottish culture. The Association, through its volunteer members, represents the Clan Maclean at Scottish games and gatherings throughout the United States.
The Clan Maclean is one of the oldest living Scottish clans with a history that has been traced back to the Loairn kindred of Dalriada. Throughout most of its history, it was concentrated around the Isle of Mull in Argyle and the Inner Hebrides and is numbered among the Highland clans. Following the Jacobite Uprising, macleans spread across the globe, particularly to Americans, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa creating the diaspora of cousins we know today. The Maclean History Project conservatively estimates that there are approximately 308,000 Maclean families in 132 countries around the world; and they are 11 associations around the world that form Clan Maclean International.
The Chief
Today the 28th hereditary chief of the Clan Maclean is Sir Lachlan Maclean, Bt, CVO, DL. Sir Lachlan is known as kind, humble, soft-spoken, and genuinely warm. He was born in 1942 to Lord Charles and Elizabeth Maclean, née Mann, in Windsor, Berkshire of southeast England; weeks later Sir Lachlan was taken to Duart because the western Highlands were safer than suburbs of London while World War II raged. He would spend much of his early years at Duart.
Sir Lachlan became the 12th Baronet of Duart and Morvern in 1990. He was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and Deputy Lieutenant of Argyll & Bute. Additionally, he is a Lieutenant in the Royal Company of Archers (the monarch’s historic body guard in Scotland); In this role he served as Silver Stick for Scotland during the 1999 state visit of Queen Elizabeth II for the opening of the Scottish Parliament.
A Graduate of Eton, Sir Lachlan attained the rank Major in the Scots Guards and was selected to serve in the Special Air Service (SAS). Among his classmates were 20 future government officials and politicians, 5 future judges, 4 members of royal households, and several future celebrities. Sir Lachlan served in combat operations for which he was awarded the General Service Medal and the the United Nations Medal.
Following his retirement from military at age 29, Sir Lachlan enjoyed a full career as a corporate executive and served on the Board of Trustees and as Secretary of the Robertson Trust, an independent charitable Scottish trust whose priorities are community-based care, health, education, art, and sport.
Keenly aware of the significant role the Macleans have played in Scotland and around the world throughout the last eight centuries, Sir Lachlan has worked to preserve the Clan’s history and historical sites. He was instrumental in creating the Clan Maclean Heritage Trust, and he continues lead the modern world-wide family the ancient clan has become.
CLAN CONVENERS 2026
Motto: Gardez Bien! (Watch Well)
Motto: Jamais arrière (Never Behind)
Motto: Sub Sole Sub Umbra Virens (Flourishing both in sunshine and in shade)
Motto: Luceo Non Uro (I shine, not burn).
Motto: Semper paratus (Always prepared)
Motto: Ne Obliviscaris” – Latin for “Do Not Forget” (Pronunciation: NAY ob lee vis KAR iss)
Motto: Manu Forti (With a Strong Hand)
REGISTRATION
Scottish Clans and Family Associations are welcome to set up a 10×10 booth for Free which includes weekend admission for up to 4 members. Additional 10×10 spaces can be added for $25 each. You must provide your own extension cords, tents, tables and chairs. Onsite RV or Tent Camping spaces are available but limited for an additional fee. There is power and water but no campsite sewer however there is a dump station on the grounds. A full service campground is located next door to the park if you prefer full facilities. Timberlake Campground Register early and tell them you’re coming for CelticFest.
Optional CLAN VIP SPONSORSHIP for Registered Conveners to eat and drink in the VIP Hospitality Tent all Weekend is $75 per person.
Set up Arrival Times; FRIDAY anytime or SATURDAY before 7:30am Parking will be behind your booth for one car. All others will park in the first parking lot inside the gates to the left.