Tartan Tales of Clan Keith

Tom shared a photo of his Keith Ancient fly plaid and brooch:

"I am a member of Clan Keith, and wore that fly plaid and brooch to a Burns Supper this year. I wore that with my Bonnie Prince Charlie when I Addressed the Haggis for the Knights of St. Andrew in Pittsburgh."

Stevan sent in this wonderful story of synchronicity:

"This is a true story about a personal experience related to the Keith and Gunn clans.

There are many accounts of a long-standing feud existed between the Keith clan and the Gunn clan in history books. The feud was formally concluded in 1978.

About ten years ago I was invited to a friend-of-a-friend’s home here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to take a lesson on how to play the bagpipe chanter. His last name is Mueller. After several gatherings at his home, the subject of family tree came about, and we became aware that our lineage tied us to the Keiths and Gunns, which was interesting.

What was more interesting, however, was that upon further discussion we realized we had several other things in common. We discovered that we both grew up in the same neighborhood of Akron, Ohio, hundreds of miles from where we now lived. We ascertained that my brother and his sister attended the same school and grade, which prompted a quick cell phone call that confirmed they both know each other.

Further discussion discovered that the parents of each of us had (decades later and from different cities) retired to the same city in Georgia, and even lived in the same neighborhood. A quick cell phone call also found that not only did they live in the same neighborhood, they had met and become friends.

Truly, the connections were astounding to us, and left us wondering if the there was something more than coincidence bringing these once fierce foes together in friendship."

We spoke to Laurie Scott, Founder of Discover Britain and Ireland, about his bespoke Clan Keith tours in Scotland, a fantastic way to explore the clan's history.

As these tours are tailored, Laurie shares an example of his three day Clan Keith tour, which would start in Edinburgh to spend the day exploring the Capital, wandering along the Royal Mile, where medieval and Georgian architecture meets vibrant street life. There is the iconic Edinburgh Castle, perched on an extinct volcanic hill, and a visit to the National Museum of Scotland to delve into Scotland's past.

While you are in the city, book a personal appointment at ScotlandShop to browse our extensive collection of Keith Clan's ancient and modern plaid, bespoke clothing and unique items to take home.

The tour then travels North to Dunnottar Castle, a symbol of strength and resilience perched dramatically atop a cliff near Stonehaven. There is time to explore the ruins of this medieval fortress, where the Keith clan left their mark through centuries of history. Stand where battles were fought, and marvel at the breath-taking views of the North Sea. Dunnottar Castle offers a glimpse into the history of the Keith clan.

Next stop in immersing yourself in the grandeur of Clan Keith is a visit to Keith Hall, the ancestral home of the Earls of Kintore. Nestled in the picturesque countryside, this stately residence offers a fascinating insight into the lives of the Keiths who held the esteemed title. Experience the noble heritage of the Keith clan amidst the tranquillity of the Aberdeenshire countryside.

Finally, the journey heads to the historic coastal town of Peterhead, founded by George Keith, the 5th Earl Marischal, in 1587. Visit the statue of Field Marischal James Keith, a revered figure in the clan’s history, and explore the ruins of Boddam Castle nearby built in the early 16th century as a seat for the Keiths.

Sounds like an amazing tour to us!

Image credit: Visit Scotland / Kenny Lam

We received a lovely contribution from Caitlyn and Scott:

"I wanted to share from our big Clan Keith celebration - our wedding! We're living in Columbia, South Carolina in the USA and the family is scattered all over the world, but we came together for the last big Keith wedding. Every one of the three kids has had Mr. Keith and the whole crew in their full Highland kit. And as a nod to joining the clan, I even bought my wedding shoes from you all! (And your customer service for that was AMAZING, thank you! You really went above and beyond). It was a marvellous day.

I'm an Episcopal priest (the Episcopal Church has a close relationship with Scotland - your bishops made our church possible by doing ordinations for us after the Revolutionary War when England was uh...not a fan of us anymore). Scott is a theatre-maker. Between the two of us, the church ceremony and the reception, we made it into a big production!

It was a day all about the little details. It was so meaningful getting wrapped in the stole after the mass had ended and extremely precious seeing all the nieces and nephews carrying on the colors of our family. We had thistles hidden in my bouquet along with columbines (the flower of my home state). We met and bonded over a love of scotch seven years ago, and shared a special dram of Glen Keith whisky to mark the day. It's a bottle that only gets brought out for the most special occasions - the last time we poured a dram was my ordination.

All around, the most fantastic day in the most handsome tartan there is!"