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The Board of Directors of the Williamsburg Scottish Festival and Celtic Celebration is delighted to recognize Clan Shaw as The Honored Clan for 2008. Further, we are pleased to welcome Clan Shaw Society founder and President Meredith L. Shaw as the Honored Guest for this year’s festival, representing Clan chief, John Shaw of Tordarroch the 22nd Chief of the clan. One of the earliest supporters of the Williamsburg festival, the Shaws are always depended upon to bring a large and enthusiastic group of kinsmen and women to the event.
The Clan History The Shaws are an ancient Scottish clan, which has had a considerable impact upon Scotland’s history. The clan traces its ancestry to the old Earls of Fife and thus the ancient royal line of the Scottish kings. Initially, the Shaws were the first Chiefs of Clan Mackintosh. The Clan name derives from Shaw "Mor" "Coriaclich", the 6th Chief of Mackintosh, and Eva, heiress of Clan Chattan. By tradition, he led the Clan Chattan contingent to victory at the famed Clan Battle of the North Inch at Perth in 1396 and was, as a reward, given the lands of Rothiemurchus, which became the first "seat" of the Clan. He is numbered as the third Chief of the Shaws. Unfortunately, the lands of Rothiemurchus, site of the well-known castle Loch-an-Eilean, were sold and lost to the Clan in 1539. Adam (Ay) of Tordarroch, grandson of Shaw "Mor", was the progenitor of the Shaws of Tordarroch. The Tordarroch branch of the Clan became preeminent, acted for Clan Shaw at Inverness in 1543 and Termit in 1609, and signed the Clan Chattan bands. They supported Montrose and raised the Shaw contingent in the Jacobite rising of 1715. John Shaw of Tordarroch is currently the 22nd Chief of the clan. Septs The Clan Shaw Society The Clan Shaw Society is a non-denominational, not-for-profit, educational organization which is based upon the Scottish Clan Shaw heritage, but welcomes all Shaws, regardless of believed national origin. The Society is the only organized entity of, by and for Shaws, and is governed by its membership. Its stated purpose is to offer membership to all persons bearing the name of and/or descended from a Shaw or one of the septs; provide opportunities for communication and socializing among members; further research, information gathering and dissemination on the lineage, heritage and activities of the Clan; provide a mechanism for the exchange of information among Clan members; and, in the course of those activities, bring credit to the Clan Shaw and to the name. The Society has grown very rapidly since its inception and has members throughout North America and elsewhere. The Clan Society participates in a large number of Scottish games and festivals. It has an active genealogical program, with certainly the largest file anywhere of names associated with the Shaws, supports activities of interest to the Shaws, and publishes a quarterly newsletter. The latter contains news and pictures of Shaw activities, a schedule of coming events, genealogical information, lists of new members, and articles on notable Shaws. | ||
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