An Interview with the Commissioner of the Clan Campbell Society, North America

The Clan Campbell Society of North America, or the CCSNA, is a huge society made up of 14 regions that aims to re-forge the link between Campbells and their Highland heritage in Scotland and to re-forge their links with their world-wide kinsfolk in the clan. They do their best to educate members and others about the clan history and also provide opportunities to socialise with other members. Even organising trips for North American members to visit Scotland and experience it first hand.

Scott is the Commissioner of Region 1, which is made up of the six New England states; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

"North America is divided into 14 regions for administrative purposes. In each region commissioners of the society are responsible for providing information and representing the society at Scottish festivals and other activities celebrating Scottish heritage. In Scotland Highland games feature competition in athletics, piping, clarsach (harp) and dancing. The only people in kilts are either associated with those activities or officials and important visitors.

In North America Highland games are festivals that include all of the above. Added to that mix are clan and family societies as well as St. Andrews Societies, vendors of Scottish goods, large performance tents with performances that range from Scottish fiddle to contemporary bands playing their versions of traditional music. The societies act to provide information about the history and heritage, and invite interested people to join. St. Andrews societies were initially begun to help immigrants from Scotland who were in need of financial assistance, but have evolved into social groups to celebrate Scottish heritage.

At our festivals not only clan and family representatives wear kilts, but many paying visitors don the kilt as well."

"As is true for many North Americans, my involvement in the society was an attempt to learn about the heritage. I am three generations from my Campbell ancestors who emigrated to Canada, and the tradition and the history were not passed down. As my old friend Charles Edward Campbell used to say about the Scots who moved here; “They got out and they got on.” Thirty three years ago I visited a Scottish festival and walked into the society tent; I’ve been involved ever since."

"The first reward that comes to mind is that I very much enjoy history, and I’ve been able to learn so much that I realize I know very little. Scottish history is lengthy and complex. In order to understand it one must learn other history: that of Ireland, England and the story of the Celts journey westward across Europe.

My favourite part of being involved is the second rewarding aspect; meeting the people. It’s a delight to see the amazement on the faces of individuals who visit the society tent when they first learn of their connections to Caledonia. I’ve gotten to know people around the world, from North America, to Scotland, to Europe, to Australia and New Zealand, ranging from average, every day people, to real historians, to clan Chiefs."

"I have had numerous memorable moments, some of which I’ve listed earlier. However, one story stands out.
Several years ago at our largest Scottish festival in Region 1 - the New Hampshire Highland Games, a three day festival in the White Mountains that attract 45,000 plus - a couple stopped at a display outside our society tent. When I approached them I learned that they were Scottish, were in New England on holiday, and had seen an ad for the festival, so decided to attend. We talked for some time about the festival and I brought up the fact that, unlike in Scotland, one could see people in kilts, costumes, t-shirts and utilikilts. I said I thought they would find it odd and a bit over the top and the husband responded in animated fashion, 'Are you kidding? This makes me proud to be Scottish!'
How could anything be better than his reaction?"

This year, like many big events, the New Hampshire Highland Games will be held virtually in September. You can find our more on their website. If you'd like to find out more about the society or Clan Campbell in general, the CCSNA website has some great resources and if you like a good historical story, I loved the Campbell Tales section of the Region 1 website.