SCOTTISH CLANS AND SOCIETIES
Historians believe that the clan system has existed for 1,000 years emerging in the 11th century in Scotland. The word clan comes from the Scottish Gaelic clann, which means kindred. A huge part of the tradition of Scottish festivals and games is the gathering of the Clans. Each Clan has a unique tartan with a pattern that belongs exclusively to them.
Were my ancestors part of a clan?
Visiting the festival is the perfect opportunity to learn whether your surname or that of one of your ancestors is connected with a Scottish clan. Clan hosts can help you learn more about a clan, including their tartans, as well as welcome you into membership should you decide to officially join a clan.
In addition to more than 50 Scottish clans participating, the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games features a number of cultural heritage organizations that can also help you become better acquainted with the history of the Scottish immigrants and Scots-Irish in east Tennessee.
Honored Clan for 2026
Clan Murray
Clan Murray traces its origins back to the 12th century and Freskin, a Flemish knight who was granted lands in Moray and Sutherland by King David I of Scotland. Freskin’s descendants took their name from the region—de Moravia, meaning; “of Moray”—and laid the foundation of one of Scotland’s most famous clans.
Over the centuries, the Murrays earned a reputation for their loyalty to the Scottish Crown and their military leadership. One of the most celebrated figures is Sir Andrew Murray, a hero of Scotland’s Wars of Independence. Fighting alongside William Wallace, Murray led the northern uprising of 1297 and played a key role in the victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge, though he died from wounds soon after. His legacy remains as one of Scotland’s greatest patriot leaders.
Another renowned clansman is Lieutenant General George Murray, the brilliant Jacobite commander who served as Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s main strategist during the Rising of 1745–46. The Scottish historian Andrew Lang said
that if Charles Edward Stuart had slept through the 1745–46 campaign and left command to Lord George Murray, he would have woken up to find himself king.
Today, the clan is led by His Grace, Bruce George Ronald Murray, 12th Duke of Atholl, Chief of Clan Murray, and head of the historic Atholl Highlanders, the only private army in Europe. The Duke continues to uphold the traditions and heritage of the clan from Blair Castle in Perthshire.
Clan Murray is proudly represented worldwide through active clan societies in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. These groups keep alive the ancient ties of kinship, culture, and Highland spirit. “Furth, Fortune, and Fill the Fetters!”
2026 Clans
Clan Anderson
Clan Arthur / Macarthur
Clan Bell North America
Clan Buchanan Society, Int.
House of Burnett
House of Boyd Society
Family of Bruce
Clan Cameron – Grandfather Mtn. Branch
Clan Campbell
Clan Chattan
Clan Cochrane
Clan Crawford
Clan Cunningham
Clan Davidson Society of NA
Clan Donald
Clan Donnachaidh Society of the Mid South
Clan Douglas Society of NA
Clan Elliot
Clan Farquharson USA
Clan Fergusson Society of NA
Clan Fraser
Clan Graham
Clay Gray
American Clan Gregor Society
Clan Grant Society
Clan Gunn Society of North America
Clan Guthrie
Clan Hamilton Society
Clan Hay
Clan Irwin Association
Clan Johnston/e in America
Clan Keith
Kennedy Society of North America
Clan Lamont Society
Clan Leslie
Clan MacAlister Society
Clan MacLaren Society of North America
Clan MacDougall
Clan MacDuff
Clan Macewen
International Clan MacFarlane Society
Clan MacGillivray
Clan Mackintosh of North America
Clan Maclean
Clan MacLellan
Clan MacLeod
Clan MacNachtan Assoc Worldwide
Clan MacNicol Society of North America
Clan MacPherson
Clan MacQueen
Clan Montgomery
Clan Munro
Murray Clan Society of North America
Clan Ramsay
Clan Rose international
Clan Ross
Clan Scott
Clan Sinclair
Clan Skene Association
Clan Stewart Society of America
Clan Thompson
Clan Wallace
Clan Young Society -USA
