Scottish Banner (SB): Can we begin by you telling us a brief bit about yourself and when you took on the role of Clan Chief? Do you have a role outside the Clan itself?
Andrew MacThomas (AM): Since completing my education, I have lived for the past forty five years in Scotland and London. I retired a couple of years ago from my job as Director of Public Affairs at Barclays plc, then the 8th largest financial institution in the world. My wife and I have two children. Our son has just left Edinburgh University with a degree in chemistry and our daughter is studying in Bristol. My father died in 1970 when he was only 60 and I was very unprepared for the role when I became Chief at the young age of 28. I remember that there was an International Gathering shortly afterwards and all the other Chiefs were so much older and more worldly wise than me and I was worried about how I was to meet and greet my own clansfolk. Somehow I survived and am far more relaxed now! Over the past forty or so years, I have been fortunate to attend various Scottish events in Australia, Canada, South Africa and the United States. My wife and I both thoroughly enjoyed the recent Gathering 2009 in Edinburgh, which was such a great success and every few years we always look forward to welcoming clansfolk from all over the world to Glenshee.
SB: Many people are fascinated by the Clan ancestral home? Where is the official Clan residence and do you in fact live and run the property? Also can the general public visit?
AM: My seat is Finegand in Glenshee, but it was sold in the 17th century, and I do not think the current owners would be very happy if hundreds of clans folk knocked on their front door every year! There are clan sites to visit in Glenshee, but sadly no Chief’s residence.
SB: Do you get to meet many international Clan members and if so how/where? And if not how do you best communicate with the international Clan membership?
AM: I was able to meet many Clan members on my overseas visits, and we gather every few years in Glenshee when I meet more. Although I would like to, it is not possible to meet all members of my Clan. That is why other forms of communication are so important. We have an excellent website www.clanmacthomas.com which includes everything a clansman/women needs to know. There is a well produced annual Clan Magazine too in addition to various Newsletters. Clan MacThomas also has active branches in Australia, Canada and the United States and I am keen to see more activity in New Zealand too. The Clan Society is very active around the world and there is a lot going on. Full details can be found on the website.
SB: For those readers who are not part of your Clan, is there a favourite piece of Clan history or information that you find interesting or that may not be general knowledge?
AM: The 7th MacThomas Chief, John McComie of Finegand (McComie being a shortened phonetic form of MacThomaidh i.e.the Gaelic for MacThomas) fought for the King's side alongside the Marquis of Montrose at the beginning of the British Civil War but after the defeat at Philiphaugh in 1645, he returned to cattle raising in Glenshee. He was won over by the prosperity that Cromwell brought Scotland and started to co-operate with Cromwell's men. This was too much for his Royalist neighbours. When Charles ll came to the throne, after law suits, decrees and fines my ancestors were forced to leave their lands. Upon reflection, supporting Cromwell was a terrible mistake!
SB: If it's possible to describe what would you say is the most rewarding aspect of being a Clan chief?
AM: Apart from meeting a huge number of interesting people involved in the Clan Movement globally, who I would never have met if I had not been a Chief, the most rewarding aspect of my Chiefship has been to re-establish the Clan MacThomas in Glenshee. Fifty years ago, this ancient Clan was not well known. Today, the Clan owns its ancient Gathering Ground in Glenshee which has recently been fully redesigned and replanted, a road bridge over Shee Water is called the MacThomas Bridge after the Clan which settled there 500 years previously, and you can not today be in Glenshee without being aware of the glen's connection with the Clan MacThomas. Importantly, visiting clansfolk contribute once again to the local economy. Also, recently I have thoroughly enjoyed compiling a modern up to date History of the Clan MacThomas, which was last written in1887 and was much needed.
SB: What future projects or goals do you have planned for the Clan? Is there anything specific you wish to accomplish whilst Clan Chief?
AM: A successful Clan today depends on the hard work and enthusiasm of a handful of people. I am lucky to have some such dedicated supporters around the world and together we have accomplished a great deal. I should love to see the Clan membership double in a few years time, see more young people become involved in an official capacity, set up an Educational Trust which benefits the children of members and open a museum in Glenshee. Now that would be good to achieve in my life time!
SB: Genealogy is gaining more popularity all the time. What is the importance you feel of belonging to a Clan and the modern day Clan system as we know it?
AM: The Clan MacThomas is unusual because very few people bear the main clan name whereas most carry the more familiar Clan names such as Combie, McColm, McComas, McComb, McCombie, McComie, McComish, MacOmie, MacOmish, Tam, Thom, Thoms, Thomas and Thomson. We live in an increasingly complex fast moving jet set age and so it perhaps not surprisingly more and more people are keen to find out more about their roots. Tracing one's ancestry provides identity and gives a greater meaning to life. If your name or that of your mother is in the list above, then your roots are Celtic and your family probably originates from the glens of Eastern Perthshire in Scotland (although in the case of the last two names shown above a little more research may be necessary). The Scottish Clan Movement has an important role to play in our modern Society in fulfilling such needs and in helping the 40 million people of Scottish descent around the world trace their ancestry (which often turns out to be fascinating), maintain links with their "home" in Scotland and provide a memorable programme of events for those that are able to return to the glens of their forebears.
SB: What message do you have to both your international Clan members and our Scottish readership in general?
AM: Don't ignore where you came from. It is part of you. Become actively involved in your Clan Society. Whether you are interested in genealogy and tracing your ancestors, meeting people with close links and similar interests or keen on social networking, including facebook and twitter, you will have a lot of fun and be able to communicate with people all over the world. It can be immensely satisfying for those of Scottish descent of all ages.
SB: If people wish to know more about your Clan how do they get in touch?
AM: If you know of anyone who carries one of the above names, tell them about our Clan website www.clanmacthomas.com. They will find their names there and much interesting information as well as details on how to contact the Clan Society or their local branch in Australia, USA or Canada.