Clan MacEwen's Fight for Chiefship: Interview with Sir John McEwen

My grandfather Jock McEwen (1894-1962) was approached in the 1950s regarding the absence of a McEwen Chief. I think he had just been made a baronet. He expressed some interest but nothing further happened. Neither the second baronet, my Uncle Jamie (1924-71), nor the third, my father Robin (1926-80), seem to have made much headway with the question.

However, my brother James, the fourth baronet (1960-83), was keen and became quite heavily involved with the Clan Society before his untimely death. I was aware of the society but the question only really became urgent in about 1995 when the society contacted me because the MacLachlans had been advertising for MacEwens in their literature, implying that our Clan was a sept of theirs. We could do nothing to counteract this serious inaccuracy because we had no chief and therefore no representation on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.

I was asked to consider putting myself forward for the Chiefship. I did agree. After lengthy negotiations we staged a derbh fine in 2014 and I was appointed Commander, a sort of apprentice Chief. This appointment is to be re-emphasised this year and this should lead to the Chiefship before long, we hope.

Clan MacEwen was once of considerable importance but seems to have lost its status partly because of some bad decisions by the last known Chief, Swene MacEwen (?-1492) and partly because the Campbells at the time were a ruthless bunch. It feels to me like an important Clan still. We have the finest tartan, the noblest crest, the most stirring motto - "Reviresco" "We shall rise again". We are a Clan of poets and musicians, actors and writers, doctors and politicians, artists and visionaries, shop-keepers and brewers. We have spread all over the world and we seem to have proved a benign presence wherever we have ended up. There is just something about a MacEwen... a certain glint in the eye. Always gallant but not to be crossed...

What has always interested me has been the sense of kinship felt by all for fellow Clansman and Clanswomen. The friendship and the laughter. I wish Jimmy McEwan was still with us to share this moment.

Seeing old friends and making new ones. Watching my daughter Georgia and sons Joseph and Robin grow in appreciation of what it means to be a McEwen. (My eldest daughter Susanna can't be with us.) The oath I am going to make to serve the Clan. Walking to the site of our ancient castle on Loch Fyne. The ceilidh. Kirking the tartan.

It would feel like a very great honour and deeply humbling especially in view of all the fine fellows who might have been Chief before me. I will be thinking in particular of the four baronets mentioned above. But I shall feel the link with Swene MacEwen and feel that the wound has been healed at last. I really do think that this will matter. (And thank you for asking the question which has made me realise how much I think that this matters!).

I want Clan MacEwen to be a force for good, and to play an active part in the cultural life of Scotland. I want us to be a helpful presence - perhaps assisting young Clansfolk to achieve their dreams - and for the MacEwen Clan to contribute to a revival of interest in the Clans and for the Clans to become relevant to 21st-century Scotland.