In most of Scotland, kinship was traditionally based around clans. The clan system is based on local areas, with one family providing the Clan Chief, and giving the clan its name. But you do not need that surname to belong to the clan. Most clans have a number of recognised clan Septs, which are families traditionally enjoying the clan's protection. And other families can be affiliated to the clan by marriage, local residence
MadWelshie
Tartan or Plaid
'Plaid' and 'tartan' really mean the same thing, depending on where you come from. A tartan is simply a unique criss-cross pattern (a 'sett') in a series of coloured threads. This simple principle gives rise to an almost infinite variety of patterns. Each design is identified with a clan, a family, an area, an organisation, etc. and any family can have more than one.
MadWelshie
Family Genealogy
Genealogy research is quite different to clan and tartan traditions. Genealogical records deal in actual family descent, as recorded by official archives and church records etc. To conduct a search into your family history you need to have reliable details of a family member who lived in Scotland since proper record keeping began. But with this information you can often uncover a wealth of detail about your own family history, providing further insights into your clan and tartan heritage.[/i]
MadWelshie
If any of the above if wrong then please free to correct me
