An Interview with the House of Boyd Society, Inc.

During our Clan Boyd Clan of the Month celebrations in October 2026, we spoke with the President and Tanist & Honorary President of the House of Boyd Society, Inc. to find out more about the Society and Clan.

Rev. Dr. Christian D. Boyd, DLitt, DMin, MBA, FSAScot, FRSA, FRAS, is President of the House of Boyd Society, Inc., a Life Member of the Society, and a Life Guardian of Portencross Castle in Scotland. He has a longstanding interest in Scottish genealogy, Ulster Scots history, and the migration of Presbyterian families to North America.

An ordained Presbyterian minister, he serves as Pastor of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Milwaukee. His professional work also includes nonprofit governance, organizational development, and strategic leadership.

Rev. Dr. Christian D. Boyd, President of House of Boyd Society, Inc.

Thanks so much for joining us today. Have you celebrated your Clan Boyd heritage from a young age, or was it something you discovered later in life? What does being a Boyd mean to you?

My interest in the Boyd family began in high school in southern Missouri, when I discovered a book about my Boyd ancestors who had settled at Fort Neosho before Missouri became a state. I had always enjoyed history, but suddenly I was reading about my own family. That discovery sparked a lifelong interest in genealogy.

As I researched further, I discovered my family’s Scottish and Ulster Scots Presbyterian roots. My ancestors migrated through Ulster to the American colonies, where they helped establish churches in the Carolinas. As a Presbyterian minister myself, I find that connection especially meaningful.

Being a Boyd connects me to generations of people who crossed oceans, built communities, and passed along their traditions. It also connects me to an extended family today, scattered around the world but united by our shared heritage.

Do you have a favourite Boyd story, tradition, or fun fact from your clan history that has always stuck with you?

One of my favorite connections is Portencross Castle on Scotland’s Ayrshire coast, a former Boyd holding associated with my ancestral line. I am a Life Guardian of the castle, helping support the preservation of a place that connects my family history to Scotland.

I find it fascinating to trace the journey from that Scottish coastline through Ulster, across the Atlantic to the Carolinas, and eventually westward to Missouri. It is a story of migration, faith, and families building new communities.

Of course, Boyd history also has its share of royal intrigue! Robert Boyd, 1st Lord Boyd, became remarkably influential during the reign of James III, and his son Thomas married Princess Mary Stewart, the king’s sister. Their fortunes changed dramatically, as often happened in medieval Scotland. I suspect most of us are better off staying out of royal politics!

We offer two Boyd tartan variations, Ancient and Modern. Which one is your favourite, and how do you like to wear or display it?

I definitely prefer the Modern Boyd tartan. I love its vibrancy, particularly the bold red and black accented by subtle touches of royal blue, golden yellow, and green. It is a striking combination that immediately catches the eye.

The Ancient variation is beautiful, but the Modern has a richness and energy that I especially appreciate. Whether worn traditionally at Highland Games or incorporated into everyday accessories, tartan is a wonderful way to celebrate our heritage. It also starts conversations, and you never know when you might discover another Boyd cousin!

How did you first get involved with the House of Boyd Society, Inc.?

I joined the House of Boyd Society around 2001, having already developed a strong interest in genealogy and Scottish history. For many years, I enjoyed being a member and learning more about our extended family.

In the years before COVID, I became more actively involved, eventually becoming a Life Member and later serving as Vice President. My professional experience in nonprofit leadership, governance, and organizational development also gave me an interest in helping the Society grow and prepare for the future.

What has kept me involved, though, is the people. The friendships and connections among Boyd cousins are what make the Society special.

How long have you been President and what do you find most rewarding about being President?

I became President on January 1, 2026, succeeding Lauren Boyd McLachlan, whose decades of dedication helped sustain and strengthen the Society. I am grateful for the foundation she and so many others established.

My focus has been on building upon that legacy while preparing the Society for its next chapter, particularly through stronger governance, greater member engagement, and opportunities for younger generations to participate.

The greatest reward is meeting Boyd cousins, hearing their family stories, and watching friendships develop. We call one another cousins, and I love that. It captures the spirit of a clan society: we are more than members of an organization; we are an extended family.

House of Boyd Society, Inc.

House of Boyd Society, Inc. was founded during the Stone Mountain Highland Games in Georgia this month (October) in 1988. Can you tell us more about how it came about?

The House of Boyd Society was founded in October 1988 at the Stone Mountain Highland Games in Georgia. It was a natural setting for its beginnings because Highland Games have always brought together people interested in Scottish culture, genealogy, and family connections.

The Society was established to unite people associated with the Boyd family, preserve our history, and encourage fellowship. It was incorporated in 1999 and is now a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States.

I love that the Society began at a Highland Games, where conversations among strangers often reveal unexpected family connections. Nearly forty years later, that same spirit continues, although technology now allows us to connect with cousins around the world.

Our fortieth anniversary in 2028 will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate those who founded the Society and everyone who has helped sustain it.

What are your plans or hopes for the future of the Society?

I want the House of Boyd Society to remain a welcoming, active, and internationally connected community. We have a remarkable history, but we also need to think about what a clan society should look like in the twenty-first century.

Our priorities include strengthening governance, expanding membership, preserving genealogical resources, and creating more opportunities for members to connect. Highland Games remain important, but we are also developing online genealogy programs, educational gatherings, and regional activities for those who cannot regularly attend festivals.

I am especially interested in engaging younger generations. Heritage should not be something we discover only after retirement! We also hope to strengthen relationships with other clan societies and Scottish heritage organizations, including through the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations.

My hope is that we will be known not only for preserving Boyd history but also for building a vibrant community for future generations.

How can people get involved with the Society if they’re interested? What do you offer members?

You do not need a complete family tree or extensive knowledge of Scottish history to join us. Curiosity is a perfectly good starting point!

Our members range from experienced genealogists to people just beginning to explore their Scottish roots. Membership offers opportunities to connect with Boyd cousins, exchange family research, participate in Society activities, and support the preservation of our shared heritage.

We also welcome volunteers to help at Highland Games, contribute historical research, and organize regional or online activities. Visit https://www.clanboyd.org/ to learn more, or stop by a House of Boyd tent at a Highland Games. You may arrive as a visitor, but we hope you will leave feeling like family.

Are there any upcoming events you’d like people to know about?

We are expanding our calendar of genealogy conversations, online gatherings, and participation in Highland Games and Scottish festivals. We want members to have opportunities to connect throughout the year, wherever they live.

Our biggest milestone ahead is the Society’s fortieth anniversary in 2028. We look forward to celebrating our founders, recognizing the generations who have sustained the Society, and looking toward the future.

Our website, https://www.clanboyd.org/, is the best place for upcoming announcements. We also welcome members who would like to organize gatherings in their own communities.

Anything you’d like to share we haven’t asked about?

I think it is important to remember that clan history is about much more than castles, battles, tartans, and noble families. My own ancestors were Presbyterian Ulster Scots who crossed the Atlantic, established churches, raised families, and helped build communities in colonial America. Their stories are just as important to me as the more celebrated chapters of medieval Scottish history.

As a Presbyterian minister, I find it especially meaningful that my own vocation connects with the religious traditions of my ancestors. Scottish and Ulster Scots communities played an important role in shaping the religious and civic life of North America, and my family was part of that larger story.

Most of our ancestors were ordinary people who worked, faced hardships, and hoped to leave something better for the next generation. Their lives deserve to be remembered, too.

That is what I enjoy about the House of Boyd Society. We preserve our history, but we also bring people together today. We have a wonderful story behind us, and there is still plenty left to write.

Find out more about the House of Boyd Society, Inc. on their website here.

For more on Portencross Castle, take a look at Wikipedia here.

Discover more about the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA) on their website here.

Thank you so much for participating in our Boyd celebrations. Having such an extended lineage, have you always known about your Clan Boyd heritage and ancestry? Was it a big part of your growing up?

Although I was always aware of my Boyd heritage, it felt somewhat distant to me growing up in London and Buckinghamshire. I think this was partly because I never met my paternal grandparents, had little contact with my uncle, and my father rarely spoke about that side of the family.

By coincidence, I had an aunt on my mother’s side who lived in Ayrshire, and I remember visiting Dean Castle for the first time as a child, thanks to her.

I’ve always had a deep love for Scotland, though, particularly the Highlands. In my late teens, I spent a lot of time walking in the Cairngorms as part of my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. On one occasion, back before mobile phones, our group somehow managed to walk right off our Ordnance Survey map and ended up missing for a couple of days!

I’ll never forget the look of relief on our teacher’s face when he finally managed to locate us. We’d been eaten alive by mosquitoes and midges, and one of my friends had collapsed with heatstroke, but somehow we survived to tell the tale!

For anyone who doesn’t know, can you please tell us a bit more about being a Tanist, how you were elected, and what that means to you?

Having relocated to Argentina in 2007, I gradually became more aware of my Scottish ancestry and decided to get in touch with Lauren, who was president of the society at the time. She was incredibly welcoming and generous with information about the society and its connections to my family.

Through my involvement with the society, I was elected Tanist, or chief-in-waiting of the House of Boyd, at the beginning of this year. While the role is largely symbolic, it also carries practical responsibilities, and I am consulted on various matters relating to the society’s activities and future.

Since his election as chairman, Christian Boyd has kept me informed about the running of the society and sought my input on a range of issues, including ways to improve the organisation and the choice of our annual charitable cause. I have been very impressed by his enthusiasm, commitment and dedication, and he is an absolute pleasure to work with.

I believe it is important that the society reflects the diversity of Boyd and Scottish heritage around the world today, embracing people from all backgrounds who share that connection, wherever they may live. I feel proud to be part of that tradition and to help ensure it continues to thrive in a modern, global context.

Hon. Simon Boyd, Tanist of the House of Boyd Society, Inc.

Do you have a favourite Boyd story, tradition, or fun fact from your clan history that has always stuck with you?

I had an eccentric upbringing, to say the least, which was probably a reflection of my father’s own childhood. Growing up in the 1980s was very different from today, and health and safety awareness hadn’t quite reached the levels we’re accustomed to now!

We used to visit a friend in North Wales who had a house by the sea. He would lend us his inflatable rubber dinghy, a Tinker, which was fitted with a small outboard motor. Armed with a few flares and life jackets, my father, my brother and I, aged about eight and ten, would head out into rough seas to fish for mackerel.

At the time, it never really occurred to my brother or me just how perilously rough the sea could be! We’d trail a few spinners behind the dinghy, and whenever we came across a shoal of mackerel, we’d drop our feather lines and jig away, bobbing about in the choppy water.

On one occasion, a large yacht passed us, and the skipper shouted across to my father, “You must be fecking crackers to be out in that!”

I have so many amazing memories from my childhood like this…

We offer two Boyd tartan variations, Ancient and Modern. Which one is your favourite, and how do you like to wear or display it?

I prefer the Ancient Boyd tartan, perhaps because I’m a traditionalist at heart, although I have to admit that both variations have their own appeal. I particularly like the softer, more muted colours of the Ancient tartan, which give it a sense of history and character.

How long have you been Honorary President of House of Boyd Society, and what do you find most rewarding about it?

I have been an Honorary President for just under a year, and I find the most rewarding aspect of the role is being consulted on various matters, particularly the development of the website and the society’s charitable work. I believe that a clan united by a shared identity, history and sense of purpose has the potential to make a real difference in the world. For me, it’s more than simply celebrating our heritage; it’s about using that shared connection to bring people together and contribute something positive to society.

What are your plans or hopes for the future of the Clan? How do you see your role evolving?

I hope that the Clan continues to grow as an international society, welcoming new members who are interested in exploring their genealogy, discovering their Scottish heritage and strengthening their connection to the Clan. I would also like to see the Clan continue to modernise, embracing new ideas and technology to ensure it remains relevant, inclusive and engaging for future generations, while preserving the traditions and history that make it so special.

As for my own role, I hope to continue contributing to the Clan’s development, supporting its members and helping to raise its profile internationally. I would like to play an active part in encouraging greater participation, fostering connections between members and ensuring that the Clan continues to thrive as a vibrant and welcoming community for years to come.

You’re a talented artist and creative person inspired by where you live in Argentina as well as your English background, but we’re curious to hear how much of your art and music is influenced by Scotland and your Scottish roots, if at all?

Although much of my artistic inspiration comes from the landscapes and culture of Argentina, as well as my English background, I think my Scottish roots find their way into my creativity, perhaps in ways I hadn’t fully realised. I play the saxophone, and a musician friend of mine often jokes that I play it like a bagpipe! Perhaps there is a certain nostalgia in my playing, a Celtic quality that comes naturally. I hadn’t really recognised it myself until it was pointed out, but on reflection, it makes perfect sense.

I like to think that my Scottish heritage is an underlying thread in my artistic expression, both in my music and painting. There is a certain atavistic quality to it, something deep-rooted and instinctive that you can’t quite put your finger on, but somehow recognise. Perhaps it is a connection to something ancestral that continues to find its way into my work, even across generations and continents.

Find Simon's artwork on Instagram here.

Image sources: House of Boyd Society, Inc.

A big thank you to Christian and Simon for their contributions, it's been great to hear more about the House of Boyd Society, Inc.! For more Clan Boyd content from our Clan of the Month celebrations, please head to our Clan Boyd page here.