The most distinctive feature of Scotland's history, nationally and internationally, is that of clanship. Although the clans are no longer the social force they once were, the continuing interest in them is testimony to the hold on the imagination that the sense of the clan identity still has for very many people.
However, the desire for knowledge about the great clans and families of Scotland frequently outstrips the ability of published works to satisfy it. The Scottish Clan a& Family Encyclopaedia redresses this situation. Beautifully illustrated throughout, and featuring many specially commissioned illustrations, this is the most comprehensive and authoritative work yet published on the subject. It provides the histories and heraldic details of over 300 of Scotland's best-known and most famous clan and families, as well as highly informative essays on key elements of clan life and society including:
- The history and development of the clan system
- The law of the clan
- Tartan and Highland dress
- Heraldry
In addition, an extensive collection of appendices draws together a wide range of information which has never before appeared in a single volume.
The Scottish Clan a& Family Encyclopaedia is the work of a team of renowned specialists and, in addition to their own contributions, has been compiled and edited by George Way of Plean, Falkland Pursuivant Extraordinary and the late Romilly Squire.
Revised and updated to reflect changes in the clan society since its original publication in 1994, the Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopaedia is the definitive single-volume reference work on the Scottish clans and will appeal to everyone of Scottish ancestry throughout the world.