"With God's help, I will overcome envy"
 

                                            The Clan Society

The Clan MacThomas Society was founded in Edinburgh in 1954, for the purpose of developing interest in the clan and to promote its welfare. The Chief of the Clan, Andrew MacThomas of Finegand, FSA (Scot), the 19th Chief, is a member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, and is President of the Society.

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Tartan and Badge

The tartan of the Clan is the MacThomas tartan (which is quite distinct and not to be confused with MacTavish, Thomson or Mackintosh tartan). It is composed of blue and green divided by narrower bands of black; two adjacent lines of magenta crossing over the blue squares and two lines of lilac over the green. The tartan is available commercially in both ancient (illustrated) and modern shades (which respectively reproduce the softer shades anciently achieved by the use of the old vegetable dyes, and the darker colours made possible by the introduction of chemical

dyes).

The crest badge consists of the Chief's crest within a buckled strap bearing his motto.  It is normally worn as a bonnet badge or as a brooch for fastening ladies' tartan sashes, etc.
This crest may not be used without the strap and buckle since it is personal to the Chief, as are his arms. There is no such thing as 'Clan Arms'.

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Membership is extended to all those having some connection with one or other of the Clan Surnames, although interested wellwishers without such a connection are welcome.

To apply, write to one of the addresses below, and include the equivalent of GBP10. This entitles you to a copy of the annual Clan Magazine 'Clach a' Choilich' and periodic Newsletters.

Members are also entitled to attend the Clan gathering held each year on the 4th Saturday in August in Glenshee, Perthshire, and other clan functions which take place at various locations around the world. (See branches).
In addition, members may purchase such items as MacThomas ties, shields, sashes, etc., which are produced by the Society; a list of goods, with prices, is shown below, in the Clan Goods section.

Scotland:
The Honorary Secretary
15 Gardiner Road
Edinburgh, EH4 3RP    Scotland

Local Branches are as follows:

USA and Canada:
Clan MacThomas Society US and Canada Branch
Cathy Ludemann, Convenor
1653 Hydram Ave.
Oakdale, MN  55128
Email: Convenor-USA@clanmacthomas.com

Australia:
Clan MacThomas Society Australia Branch
Ken and Jill McColm, Convenors
350 Whanregarwen Road
Alexandra, Victoria, 3714
Australia
Email: kmccolm@virtual.net.au

New Zealand:
Clan MacThomas Society New Zealand Branch
Cameron McOmish, Convenor
Strathearn Farm
RD 1
Little River
Banks Peninsula
New Zealand
Email: ceedee@ihug.co.nz

If you are ready to join, go the Forms page, select the appropriate application, and mail it to either the Society Secretary, or your local Branch.

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History of the Clan MacThomas

Thomas, a Gaelic speaking Highlander, known as Tomaidh Mor (Great Tommy), from where the clan takes its name, was a descendant of the Clan Chattan MacKintoshes, his grandfather having been a son of William, 8th Chief of the Clan Chattan. Thomas lived in the 15th century, at a time when the clan Chattan confederation had become large and unmanageable, so he took his kinsmen and followers across the Grampians, from Badenoch to Glenshee, where they settled and flourished, being known as McComie (phonetic form of the Gaelic MacThomaidh), McColm and McComas (from MacThom and MacThomas). To the government in Edinburgh, they were known as MacThomas and are so described in the Roll of the Clans in the Acts of the Scottish Parliament of 1587 and 1595, and MacThomas remains the official name of the Clan to this day, notwithstanding the fact that few of its members have ever actually been named MacThomas.

The early chiefs of the Clan MacThomas were seated at the Thom, on the east bank of the Shee Water opposite the Spittal of Glenshee, the site thought to be that of the tomb of the legendary Diarmid of the Fingalian saga, with which Glenshee has so many associations. In about 1600, when the 4th Chief, Robert McComie of the Thom was murdered, the chiefship passed to his brother, John McComie of Finegand, about three miles down the glen, which became the seat of the chiefs. Finegand is a corruption of the Gaelic 'Feith nan Ceann' meaning 'burn of the heads' and refers to the time when some tax collectors were attacked by some clansmen, who cut off their heads and threw them in a nearby burn. By now, the MacThomases had acquired a lot of property in the glen, and houses were well established at Kerrow and Benzian with shielings up Glen Beag. The time was spent breeding cattle and fighting off those seeking to rustle them, one such skirmish, in 1606, being remembered as the Battle of the Cairnwell.

The 7th Chief was John McComie (Iain Mor) and his deeds have passed into the folklore of Perthshire and Angus, wherein he is generally known as 'McComie Mor'. The legends surrounding this Highland hero abound: he puts to flight some tax collectors in defense of a poor widow single handed; he kills the Earl of Atholl's champion swordsman; he slays the man who insulted his wife; he fights his son in disguise to test his courage; he overcomes a ferocious bull with his bare hands; and he is even familiar with the supernatural. Today, we find a large stone at the head of Glen Prosen known as McComie Mor's Putting Stone, a nearby spring known as McComie Mor's well, and at the top of Glen Beannie, a rock shaped like a seat known as McComie Mor's Chair.

Iain Mor joined Montrose at Dundee in 1644, and fought for the King's cause throughout the campaign, personally capturing Sir William Forbes of Craigivar, but after the defeat at Philiphaugh, he withdrew from the struggle and devoted his energies to cattle raising, during which time the clan extended their lands and influence into Glen Prosen and Strathardle; Iain Mor purchased the Barony of Forter in Glenisla from Lord Airlie. Forter Castle had been burnt eleven years earlier, as recounted in the ballad, 'The Bonnie House of Airlie' and so Iain Mor made his home at Crandart, two miles north of the castle. The government of Cromwell won Iain Mor's admiration for the prosperity it brought Scotland but this soured his relationship with Airlie, and on the restoration of Charles II in 1660, he found himself in trouble with parliament, who fined him heavily and at Airlie's instigation a lawsuit decreed that the Canlochan Forest, part of the Forter estate, belonged to the latter. This Iain Mor refused to recognise, continuing to pasture his cattle on the disputed land which Airlie had leased to Robert Farquharson of Broughdearg. Broughdearg was Iain Mor's cousin but the dispute over the forest led to a bitter feud culminating in a skirmish at Drumgley, just west of Forfar, where at a spot, now known as McCombie's Field, Broughdearg was slain on 28th January 1673, along with two of Iain Mor's sons. The fine, feud and the crippling law suit that followed ruined the MacThomases, and following Iain Mor's death, his remaining sons were forced to sell their lands.

The MacThomas chief is mentioned in Government proclamations in 1678 and 1681, but the clan was by now drifting apart with some going south into the Tay valley changing their name to Thomson, or into Angus or Fife where they became Thomas, Thom or Thoms. The 10th Chief, Angus, who took the surname Thomas and later Thoms, settled in Northern Fife where his family thrived as successful farmers, until they moved to Dundee and became prosperous merchants at the end of the 18th century, finally buying the estate of Aberlemno near Forfar. Others moved north into Aberdeenshire, where the name became corrupted to McCombie as well as the anglicised forms Thom and Thomson. In Aberdeenshire, the principal MacThomas family were the McCombies of Easterskene, who were descendants of the youngest of Iain Mor's sons, and it is one of their party, William McCombie of Tillyfour, M.P. for South Aberdeenshire at the end of the last century, who is today regarded as the father of the world famous Aberdeen-Angus breed of cattle.

Patrick Hunter MacThomas of Aberlemno, 15th Chief, was Provost of Dundee from 1847 to 1853, while his heir, the eccentric George Hunter MacThomas, advocate, bon vivant and philanthropist, became Sheriff of Caithness, Orkney and Shetland in 1870, donating during his lifetime large sums to St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and, upon his death in 1903, his vast fortune to St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, together with the Aberlemno estate. Although having lost Aberlemno, in 1967, the latter's great-nephew was once again officially recognised by the Lyon Court by the historic designation 'The MacThomas of Finegand'. Patrick MacThomas of Finegand, 18th Chief, married Elizabeth Clayhills-Henderson of Invergowrie in 1941, and it was during his lifetime in 1954 that the Clan MacThomas Society was founded. He died in 1970, being succeeded by his only son, Andrew, the present Chief, who is called in the Gaelic MacThomaidh Mhor (pronounced 'McHomy Vor').

Andrew MacThomas of Finegand, the 19th chief, was educated in both Scotland and England. He has recently retired from his role as Director of Public Affairs for one of the world's leading financial services companies based in London, where he lives with his Dutch-born wife, Anneke and their two children, Tom and Amy.

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                  The spread of the Clan Worldwide (Historic)

Migration map of MacThomas within Scotland (.jpg image, approx 76kb in size)

Australia and New Zealand

Canada (awaiting contributions)

South Africa

USA (awaiting contributions)

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                                 Annual Gathering of the Clan

                                Members are entitled to attend the Clan Gathering.

During formal gatherings, the Society meets the weekend of the 4th Saturday in August, in Glenshee, when the Strathardle Games take place.
The Clan has its own Gathering Place 'Claich na Choilich' The Cockstane in Glenshee.
The Society will formally gather every 3^rd year

However, the 2009 Clan Gathering will take place in conjunction with the International Gathering of the Clans in Edinburgh. 

Specifically, on Sunday 26^th July 2009, the location and exact time at still to be confirmed.

The full agenda will be published in the 2009 edition of Clach A’ Choilich which will be mailed to current members before the meeting.

Advance copies of the agenda are available now from the Society Treasurer who can be contacted by e-mail:

Treasurer-Clan@clanmacthomas.com

Will members please also let Treasurer know if they intend to attend the meeting so that we can ensure there are enough seats and handouts.

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 Family History Research

There is a great opportunity for members to become actively involved in investigation of their family history, especially within the context of the clan, affording immense interest and satisfaction. However, none of this is compulsory, and many Members may wish to take a less active part, satisfied by the knowledge that their membership helps to make possible the broadening of our knowledge of the clan and its history, and the preservation of its traditions.

The Chief's Family Tree (displays best with Internet Explorer)

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To order, post request to:

The Hon. Secretary, Clan MacThomas Society, 15 Gardiner Road, Edinburgh, SCOTLAND, EH4 3RP

Please include your name and complete address in capital letters. All prices include postage and package and insurance, but please allow up to six weeks for delivery. Payment can be in British currency, or in your local currency.

You may also send an email to clanmerchandise@clanmacthomas.com; a return email will provide you with payment information, etc.

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Special Appeals

Would any clan member or potential clan member please e-mail us at info@clanmacthomas.com, so we know you are out there.

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Society News

Society AGM - 2007
 The 2007 AGM was held in Edinburgh on 8 September 2007.  Please see comments above for 2008.

USA and Canada Branch Gathering
The USA and Canada Branch holds an annual gathering, but it is held in different cities around the country, to give members an opportunity to enjoy the many places our members live.  Stay tuned for news about the 2008 gathering.

New Members
We are keen to see new members joining our society. Local initiatives are often best.

The Clan magazine, Clach a’ Choilich

Scott Thomson is the editor of our annual magazine.  Members may reach him at editor@clanmacthomas.com.

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