Clan MacThomas

2010 is the 40^th anniversary of Andrew MacThomas of Finegand’s Chiefship of Clan MacThomas and so it is an apt time to celebrate this with the publication of his updated history of the Clan MacThomas.

Finegand’s sense of pride and enthusiasm for his clan is tangible throughout the book, combined with his dedication to the development and promotion of the flourishing Clan MacThomas Society.  Having bought the land round the ’Clach na Coileach’ for the Clan Society in the 1990s, the book also coincides with the re-design of the site of the famous Cockstane in Glenshee, which the MacThomas Clan celebrated at their Gathering in August 2008. The close links with Clan Mackintosh, Clan Farquharson and Clan Chattan are highlighted, with the historic importance of the Clan Chattan Association to Clan MacThomas emphasised.

The story of Clan MacThomas is set within the wider context of the history of Scotland as a whole, with a timeline highlighting key MacThomas events and achievements throughout the years.  Each chapter is enhanced by illustrations of clan lands, key buildings and descriptions of aspects of Scottish history, such as living conditions in Glenshee and descriptions of the claymore or ferrara sword.  The book, therefore, brings to life many aspects of Scottish social and cultural history in an accessible way, with associations to aspects of MacThomas clan history.   He also explains the geographical locations of different sept names of MacThomas, such as McComb, Thom, while explaining the differences between MacThomas and MacTavish, with the former being a member of the Clan Chattan Association and the latter not!

The MacThomas clan history is rich with culture and colour – the heraldry, flags and tartans associated with the clan are beautifully illustrated and clearly described.  Explanations are given for the detail of the thread count of the tartan, as well as the protocols of the wearing of the tartan and also for the raising of the standard and other clan flags.  There is also a wealth of poetry, songs, pipe and dance tunes associated with the clan, which are compiled in the book, highlighting the depth of feeling for the clan lands in Glenshee.