We are in the home straight to the Great Gathering of the Clans on November 1. I think that there will be RP Highland Games on the Highland Hall Forum. To see a few MacTavishes there would be good. I at least hope to enter in at least one of the competitions (Chief's battle, near the end of the day).
I haven't sent out any more invitations to join our clan today. I feel I've done enough of that. Besides, a lot of the quality candidates have joined a clan by now. I still hope that we'll get one or two more acceptances from those already sent, but am very happy with our clan's membership at present. I think we have a lot to offer Scotland.
I spent a fair bit of time sitting alone in the Whithorn Whistle and Thistle pub or up at MacTavish's Hut, closely examining a lot of maps to help out the Lyons Court in their determination of our 'territory'. Sorry if any of you are historical buffs, but I have opted for our RP version of MacTavish history. I think that will leave us freer to create our own future, and get us out from under the Campbells! I also lodged our historical coat of arms to be considered by the Lyons Court.
I have sent out some invites to various clan leaders, inviting them to visit the Hut on November 1 to commemorate the proclomation of the Founding Clans of Scotland. I hope we get a few MacTavish's passing through also to leave a 'comment' for the future.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
MacTavish Lands
A representative from the Court of Lyons has asked if of the two areas the circle above Loch Lomond is the area that you consider the seat of the MacTavish land?
I answered her thus:
I think ig MacTavishes come from the circled area above Loch Lomond:
Somewhere in the triangle formed by modernday Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Killin. This conincides with border area between Dumbartonshire, Perthshire and Stirlingshire, and clans of MacGregor, MacNab, Bucchanan, Campbell and, to north east, Murray. This should leave some flexibility as to which county to locate the seat. I imagine that the ancestral home in Argyll still exists, but has devolved since the clan's disintegration into a minor though independent family.
I answered her thus:
I think ig MacTavishes come from the circled area above Loch Lomond:
Somewhere in the triangle formed by modernday Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Killin. This conincides with border area between Dumbartonshire, Perthshire and Stirlingshire, and clans of MacGregor, MacNab, Bucchanan, Campbell and, to north east, Murray. This should leave some flexibility as to which county to locate the seat. I imagine that the ancestral home in Argyll still exists, but has devolved since the clan's disintegration into a minor though independent family.
Coat of Arms to be recognised?
I have just lodged the MacTavish CoA to be registered at the Lyons Court of Arms (forum).
If you don't know how to find your way either to or around the forums, let me know.
If you don't know how to find your way either to or around the forums, let me know.
Part time warrior blues
Ragehammer has indeed had to decline attendance at the upcoming Highland Games, waving his hammer convincingly towards his anvil as he declaims the urgent needs of the workshop. Who am I to argue! AND I've just been told that I can't substitute a Champion for myself in the Chieftain's fight. I think I'm gonna get pounded by a Campbell ...
One day soon I'd like to go get me a sword!
.
One day soon I'd like to go get me a sword!
.Monday, October 29, 2007
Things to ponder
Highland Games: Check the post on our clan subforum and see if you can get involved. As a minimum, try and visit MacTavish's Hut during the day (November 1) and leave a comment to mark the celebrations that we will hold there!
Clan Champion :We need a strong person for this. There might be a bit of a call on their time at short notice. I have asked Ragehammer if interested, as probably the strongest amongst us at present. I stand to be corrected on this, and Ragehammer has the right to say no.
Ragehammer has indeed had to decline attendance, waving his hammer towards his anvil as he did so. Who am I to argue! AND I've just been told that I can't substitute a Champion for myself in the Chieftain's fight. I gotta get me a sword somehow before the day!
Clan Membership: There are 14 of us at present, and I am expecting at least a couple more to join in next couple days. That puts us at the big end of the middle sized clans, or the small end of the big sized clans. This is a pretty good position to be in around November 1.
I would like all listed here on November 1 to be regarded equally as 'founding members'. I don't do this out of a love of titles, but for want of a title. The function of Founding Members would be to keep our clan healthy.
In terms of new members of our clan after November 1, I think the process for admission should be a little more involved than it has been until now. This is what I have thought (I'll give my reasons later, most important to get discussion going now):
1. To be considered for membership a person must be born or resident in scotland, or have been resident in Scotland when they joined MacTavish. They may not be a member of another recognised Scottish Clan (though may be related to one or more).
2. For a request for membership to be considered by the clan, they must be
a) nominated publicly (on subforum)
b) by at three clan members of who have each been a member for at least one month
(this requirement waived during November as none of us would yet qualify!),
c) at least one of the three must be a founding member.
3. The nomination would remain up on the forum for a week.
Members should feel free to post any objections or agreements there during this period.
a) If there are no unresolved objections, the person can be admitted then.
b) If there is at least one objection that is still held at the end of the week,
a poll will be held on forum for all intested in voting on the matter.
c) In the result of a tie, the chieftain has a casting vote.
4. Result is final (exception - chieftain may allow another application after at least another month has passed, provided all entry criteria met)
What do you think?
I've put a copy of the membership idea up on our subforum, please comment there.
Clan Champion :We need a strong person for this. There might be a bit of a call on their time at short notice. I have asked Ragehammer if interested, as probably the strongest amongst us at present. I stand to be corrected on this, and Ragehammer has the right to say no.
Ragehammer has indeed had to decline attendance, waving his hammer towards his anvil as he did so. Who am I to argue! AND I've just been told that I can't substitute a Champion for myself in the Chieftain's fight. I gotta get me a sword somehow before the day!
Clan Membership: There are 14 of us at present, and I am expecting at least a couple more to join in next couple days. That puts us at the big end of the middle sized clans, or the small end of the big sized clans. This is a pretty good position to be in around November 1.
I would like all listed here on November 1 to be regarded equally as 'founding members'. I don't do this out of a love of titles, but for want of a title. The function of Founding Members would be to keep our clan healthy.
In terms of new members of our clan after November 1, I think the process for admission should be a little more involved than it has been until now. This is what I have thought (I'll give my reasons later, most important to get discussion going now):
1. To be considered for membership a person must be born or resident in scotland, or have been resident in Scotland when they joined MacTavish. They may not be a member of another recognised Scottish Clan (though may be related to one or more).
2. For a request for membership to be considered by the clan, they must be
a) nominated publicly (on subforum)
b) by at three clan members of who have each been a member for at least one month
(this requirement waived during November as none of us would yet qualify!),
c) at least one of the three must be a founding member.
3. The nomination would remain up on the forum for a week.
Members should feel free to post any objections or agreements there during this period.
a) If there are no unresolved objections, the person can be admitted then.
b) If there is at least one objection that is still held at the end of the week,
a poll will be held on forum for all intested in voting on the matter.
c) In the result of a tie, the chieftain has a casting vote.
4. Result is final (exception - chieftain may allow another application after at least another month has passed, provided all entry criteria met)
What do you think?
I've put a copy of the membership idea up on our subforum, please comment there.
New Chieftain Press Release
After deliberations lasting several days, Clan MacTavish have chosen Dracmuller to be the chieftain of the clan.
Press Release
Preceded by sounds of applause and good cheer, Dracmuller emerged from MacTavish's Hut and announced that the Clan had appointed him Chieftain by acclamation.
"Clan MacTavish and all true friends, hear me!" he said.
"You see before you the Chieftain of Clan MacTavish! The mantle of chieftainship is an honour I will accept humbly but carry with pride!
"My first announcement as Chieftain is to invite any who disagree strongly with any decision of mine to come forth and speak with me before taking any rash action."
Sent to the Scottish Herald
Press Release
Preceded by sounds of applause and good cheer, Dracmuller emerged from MacTavish's Hut and announced that the Clan had appointed him Chieftain by acclamation.
"Clan MacTavish and all true friends, hear me!" he said.
"You see before you the Chieftain of Clan MacTavish! The mantle of chieftainship is an honour I will accept humbly but carry with pride!
"My first announcement as Chieftain is to invite any who disagree strongly with any decision of mine to come forth and speak with me before taking any rash action."
Sent to the Scottish Herald
On new colonies...
There is much talk on forums regarding a new colony for scotland. Many of the most active and experienced governmental type characters are queueing up to go and set up utopia. If they all left right now that could be a problem for us.
Why?
Most of Clan MacTavish were either born here (IG) or migrated as low level 1s. We are not quite ready to step into the roles of level2dom, so we will notice the departure of many valued members of our community. I don't primarily see clans in political economic terms, but do take note of structural factors when they threaten the well being of most of our members.
We would face an influx of new characters, including organised groups of migrants with their own visions and plans for our country. This could lead to interesting Role Play, but it could also lead to us being subject to takeover by organised political factions that are not tied to our evolving system of clan and country and who seek to run us for their own (perhaps wider) agendas.
I think, therefore, that a delay of another month or two would be to the advantage of Clan MacTavish.
That's my view, and I have let it be known in Highlands Hall.
I am also pleased to hear that some of us are prepared to join any new colonies that might be formed.
Why?
Most of Clan MacTavish were either born here (IG) or migrated as low level 1s. We are not quite ready to step into the roles of level2dom, so we will notice the departure of many valued members of our community. I don't primarily see clans in political economic terms, but do take note of structural factors when they threaten the well being of most of our members.
We would face an influx of new characters, including organised groups of migrants with their own visions and plans for our country. This could lead to interesting Role Play, but it could also lead to us being subject to takeover by organised political factions that are not tied to our evolving system of clan and country and who seek to run us for their own (perhaps wider) agendas.
I think, therefore, that a delay of another month or two would be to the advantage of Clan MacTavish.
That's my view, and I have let it be known in Highlands Hall.
I am also pleased to hear that some of us are prepared to join any new colonies that might be formed.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Maps and Territories
Seer of the Lyons Hall sent me a couple ancient maps, asking me to indicate where I thought the lands of the MacTavishes were. The original maps she sent are here and here.
Here are my two extracts from those maps, indicating in red shaded area the two main territories of Clan MacTavish. There will no doubt be other pockets of MacTavishness throughout Scotland (such as in present day 1455 Galloway). The Western most zone is the historical territory, apparantly centred around stronghold at Dunardry. The inland zone, above Loch Lomond, is the region surrounding the original Dunn Tavish.
Here are my two extracts from those maps, indicating in red shaded area the two main territories of Clan MacTavish. There will no doubt be other pockets of MacTavishness throughout Scotland (such as in present day 1455 Galloway). The Western most zone is the historical territory, apparantly centred around stronghold at Dunardry. The inland zone, above Loch Lomond, is the region surrounding the original Dunn Tavish.
Dunn Tavish was a 'colony' of the main clan, set up by a younger brother and his followers after having left the Dunardry following a family squabble (RK mixed with RL). The division of the family at that time is probably what kept it relatively weak despite its illustrious origins (RL).
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Piper Tom
I hope you have enjoyed hearing Piper Tom and wee Roddy playing the pipes in Hut and Hearth. I have given them a bit of a break in here, too many people have visited and have stretched the down/upload limit of the site PiperTom is at.
I don't wish to harm anyone with my use of their band, so I have made it optional to hear him play 'Scotland the Brave' on this site. Just click once to activate the control on the sidebar, and again to ask him to play.
Hope this helps, Soltario!
I don't wish to harm anyone with my use of their band, so I have made it optional to hear him play 'Scotland the Brave' on this site. Just click once to activate the control on the sidebar, and again to ask him to play.
Hope this helps, Soltario!
Wigtown Pubtalk
Have just spent a fairly long day in the pubs of Wigtown. Most significant results, I got off another 10 targeted invitations (no responses yet) and sat down and talked business with O’Broin and Kennedy Chieftains. Quite different characters, but certainly of a similar mind to myself as regards Scotland's short and mid term future.
There is talk of a signing an ‘alliance’ (whatever that might be) in coming week. I had to say that we’ve not gone formal yet, and that, no, this is not my own little sinecure I have going here.
I let it be known that they have our in-principle agreement to the ethic expressed (peace, but not at any price) and let it be known that we would stand strong with those who would defend what is good in our scottish ways of life against those who might attempt to corrupt this. But we will sign nothing until we are ready.
Sitting with these two senior figures made me feel quite The MacTavish, as together our clans numbered between 30 and 40 characters. It was agreed that we must all look to the future, and build our strength so that peace is possible. Especially once roads connect Scotland with our neighbor!
We also agreed that will forgo much to achieve this position, but it will not be at any price. We will remain wary of corruption. We will respect our various ways of handling matters within our respective clans.
These were valuable agreements to reach in principle.
Also of value, a representative of Clan Rose was present throughout. He did not speak for them, but he was alert to the fact of our meeting and confirmed that Rose is stable again in terms of leadership.
You should have heard silence descend when someone else wondered in a couple of times!
And that’ll be it for now, because I have to go to bed after a long day talking.
There is talk of a signing an ‘alliance’ (whatever that might be) in coming week. I had to say that we’ve not gone formal yet, and that, no, this is not my own little sinecure I have going here.
I let it be known that they have our in-principle agreement to the ethic expressed (peace, but not at any price) and let it be known that we would stand strong with those who would defend what is good in our scottish ways of life against those who might attempt to corrupt this. But we will sign nothing until we are ready.
Sitting with these two senior figures made me feel quite The MacTavish, as together our clans numbered between 30 and 40 characters. It was agreed that we must all look to the future, and build our strength so that peace is possible. Especially once roads connect Scotland with our neighbor!
We also agreed that will forgo much to achieve this position, but it will not be at any price. We will remain wary of corruption. We will respect our various ways of handling matters within our respective clans.
These were valuable agreements to reach in principle.
Also of value, a representative of Clan Rose was present throughout. He did not speak for them, but he was alert to the fact of our meeting and confirmed that Rose is stable again in terms of leadership.
You should have heard silence descend when someone else wondered in a couple of times!
And that’ll be it for now, because I have to go to bed after a long day talking.
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