The Clans, Septs & Regiments Of the Scottish Highlands

This was long the "gold standard" work on the Highland Scottish clans, tartans, and military regiments. First published in 1908, there was a second edition in 1924 and a third in 1934. The late Sir Thomas Innes of Learney edited and revised the fourth edition (1952). It went at least as far as an eighth edition of 1970. It is a detailed and highly foot-noted work, and includes chapters on Scottish history and culture, the Highlands, Highland garb, the tartan, Highland surnames and titles, Highland regiments, coats of arms in the clan system, Highland chiefs and chieftains, badges of clans and families, and lists of clan septs and dependents. While once the authoritative reference (and still very valuable), many of the concepts of the original author, later editors, and contributors and cited authorities have since been challenged by later authorities and new evidence. For example, the meaning and use of the term "sept" as once describing a blood or locale-based subsidiary of a major clan was being challenged even in Innes of Learney's 4th edition, and is now considered almost meaningless. However, it is still a great asset and much of the information remains of value to the scholar and genealogist. Contributed by Seamus mac an tailleur - http://sites.google.com/site/glencelt