Roots and Historic Lifestyles

The Scotts were one of the most powerful of the Border clans. They were at their greatest as a clan between 1455 and 1603 - from the fall of the Douglases' to the union of the Scottish and English crowns. The original home of the Scotts, more or less at the center of the territory later acquired, was a small area around Bellenden, a high plateau near the source of the Ale Water (a river) in Roxburghshire, This plateau became a rallying-ground and the battle-cry of the clan. The Scott surname can be traced back as far as the late 1200s and descends from a Gaelic tribe, called the Scotti, who invaded the Scotland area from Ireland in the sixth century. Scotti was the Late Latin term for "Irish" which the tribe applied to themselves. The Scott crest, illustrated in the background, consists of a stag in trippant stance. The motto is Amo (I love) and the war cry is "A Bellan Dean!".

Scotland is traditionally divided into the Highland and the Lowland territories. The historical residents of these regions differed in racial background, religion and customs. The Highlanders of Western Scotland are largely of Celtic origin, descending from Gaelic or Pictish tribes. The Lowland territories, having once been a part of Roman Britain, is Populated by people with a mixed background from the Celts, Romans, Frisians, Angles, Saxons, Vikings, Normans and Flemins¹.

As recently as the mid 1700s, the Highlanders were considered by most accounts to be much more barbaric than the Lowlanders, While life for both groups, by our standards, was extremely harsh, the Lowland peoples had enough of the "English influence" to live under slightly more structured lifestyles than their Highland neighbors. The Lowlanders lived in an agrarian feudal society. Most people had small farms on which they could produce enough food to live on and pay rent with, but not to trade or export. The farms were kept small and split up by the lairds or noblemen to suppress the general population. Many people also raised cattle, the source of what some accounts claim to be the primary livelihood of the Highlanders, cattle stealing.

¹ Dunaway, Wayland F. The Scotch-Irish of Colonial Pennsylvania Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 1944.

² Grant, Neil. Scottish Clans & Tartans, New York: Crescent Books, 1987.

1.    WHERE IN SCOTLAND WAS THE CLAN ORIGINALLY LOCATED?

Originally the Scotts were located in the borders region of Scotland in the middle and eastern Marches areas of West Teviotdale, Ewesdale, Eskdale and Liddesdale, around the towns of Hawick, Selkirk and Melrose in the district of Roxburghshire. The heart of the Clan area was at Bellendain. There have been major migrations of Scotts from this area to areas throughout the former British Empire for centuries.

While the borders region is located in the lowlands of Scotland, families from this particular area prefer the distinction of being known as Borderers rather than the term Lowlander.

The Scotts were one of the 6 major riding Clans of Scotland, and "one of the most powerful families in the entire Borders, active as both reviers and officers", reaching their peak in the 16th century. Border clans are more loose family associations today than those from the Scottish highlands. Nevertheless, our Chief stresses that feelings of kinsmanship and family ties are no less strong than those of the highland groups.

There are many answers. Early sources indicate a gaelic origin; A geographic description designating one from Scotland; The earlier race of 2nd century invaders from Ireland called Scoti; Blue Men One who colors the body blue (tatoos); Another meaning is "one not from here". Early records spell only one t; use of a second t became common in the 17th century to distinguish a member of the Scott family from "one from Scotland". It is said that Clan Scott lent its name to the sovereign country.

The history of border warfare is very complex. They fought at Floridan with King James IV. Many families or clans shifted alliances to benefit their needs and our ancestors were no different. The most notable episodes for Scott feuds occurred in the 16th and 17th centuries with the Kerrs, Elliotts, Charltons and others. George MacDonald Fraser's book, Me Steel Bonnets describes this era and is a good source for life in the borders.

There are normally few septs among border clans and families. Clan Scott is a borders clan. Historically, the Laidlaws, Langlands, Geddes, Napiers, and Buccleuchs, with varied spellings, have long standing relationships and are listed as septs of Clan Scott.

This is not a coat of arms. This badge signifies allegiance to the Chief. The Scott clansman's badge bears the crest and motto of the clan chief s coat of arms: a Stag Trippant, encircled in a leather strap inscribed with the chief s motto "Arno" meaning "I Love"; ironically a somewhat romantic motto for a strong feudal border clan.

The Clan Chief of the name Scott as recognized by the Lord Lyon, King of Arms in Scotland, is his Grace, The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, who resides at his borders home, Bowhill, near Selkirk, Scotland.

Membership is open to anyone and their spouse affirming a reasonable presumption of descent in their paternal or maternal bloodline to Scott or one of the Septs. Associate membership is open to others. To join, simply complete the application form and submit it together with the appropriate dues to our Membership Secretary:

10. HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MY FAMILY HISTORY?

The best sources are your own relatives. Question older members of your own family and start collecting information. Try to locate family Bibles, obituaries, wills, birth, baptismal and death certificates. Visit local Courthouses and search records in the Clerk's Offices, state and federal Archives offices. Our own Clan Genealogists are:

Craig Scott, Rt 1, Box 15A, Lovettsville, VA 22080-9703. Tel: (703) 822-5292

and for the Laidlaws:

Kurt Laidlaw, 1006 Valley Dr, Alexandria, VA 22302. Tel: (703) 820-5960. Email: Klaidlaw@aol.com

Most Scottish Games and Festivals throughout the country have vendor tents which contain merchandise for all clans. Clan Scott also offers special Scott related merchandise, the small profit therefrom helps to support clan activities. Our Clan Storekeeper is Carl Schnecke, PO Box 681033, Schaumburg, IL 60168-1033. Tel: (708) 822-5817.

Yes. Actually there are at least 11 Scott tartans listed by The Scottish Tartans Society of Comrie Perthshire. The most common referenced is a "Green Scott", also "Red Scott" and "Brown Scott". Most are actually the same sett or pattern, only different colors. Please see our other literature for a more detailed explanation of the Scott tartans. An excellent reference is the book "Tartan for Me" available from our Storekeeper.

The Clan Scott Society, formerly known as Clan Scott, USA, was organized in 1976 and includes members primarily in the United States and Canada, but there are members in other parts of the world too. The Society was incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1981 and is the only -recognized organization on record. The titular head of the organization is the Chief, His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, K.T.

Sir Walter, novelist and historian, born to the borders family Scott of Harden in 1771, did more to give Scots (one t) a national identity than any other and is largely responsible for the survival and popularization of Scottish culture in modern times. His home was in the borders at Abbottsford and acclaimed the 5th Duke of Buccleuch as his Clan Chief and patron. Clan Scott is dedicated to elevating his recognition in the Scottish community.

Border festivals and gatherings are more commonly known as "Common Ridings" and more accurately portray the historical character of the local region.

"A Bellendain" is the rallying or war cry of the Scotts. Other associated sayings include: *There'll be moonlight again!". The cry "The Scotts are Out!" struck terror in the hearts of Englishmen.

Many famous border ballads have been set to popular music. Lady Buccleuch, wife of an earlier Chief, wrote the words to the most popular version of "Loch Lomond". The Clan Scott Society has adopted a version of "When the Scotts, Come Marching In" as the unofficial Clan song.

(c)1995 Clan Scott Society