The PC zombies of this world haven’t yet put their slimy little hands on the good old “Happy New Year”, so I needn’t “apologize” for that. Maybe next year. One never knows…

Nollaig Cridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ur!

Sadly it doesn’t always work that way, as the picture shows. Although Celtic Empire in Canada makes beautiful Celtic and Clan stuff that I can generally recommend them for, they are way out of line when claiming copyright on the Clan Fergusson crest. Even if this particular example was drawn by themselves, it’s still Sir Charles Fergusson who owns all rights to each and every version of his crest. No, it certainly isn’t premeditated theft, nor will Sir Charles lie awake about it even one second – but it sure is a prime example of extremely bad manners.

The first ad is for our new international Clannfhearghuis Network, which is intended to be a relaxed meeting place for us all.

The second ad takes people to this very Not the Clan Fergusson Society website that you’ve got on your screen right now.

The third ad carries its visitors straight to the Clan Fergus(s)on Society, home and haven of us all, in the hope that it will boost the membership a bit.

“But where do those ads appear?” you may now ask. That’s at Trafficswarm, a so-called “traffic exchange” where people do… eh… exchange traffic, or something like that. During my years on the internet I have been doing quite a bit of advertising there, and recently I took a “Pro” account that, although it costs money which makes my Scottish and my Dutch blood curdle, offers the possibility of placing many more ads than a free account does, enabling me to throw the above ads into the mix. If you happen to be interested in online advertising or being online advertised to, click the banner below and have a look.

We’ve gone worldwide. Of course we’ve been worldwide all the time (us Fergus(s)ons have been spreading around the globe for centuries)… I mean that we’ve got a truly international network available now with all bells and whistles that one can remotely imagine. At The Clannfhearghuis Network you’ll find it very easy to create your own group or join existing ones, have your own forum or blog, post photos and videos, announce events, and much more. Due to the easy access and all the user-friendly interconnections you don’t need any discernable PC skills or internet knowledge. So: give it a go!

Now I have the advantage of being practically immune for what other people say, think or gossip about me – but most people don’t have that relaxed attitude. So it must be scary for them, I guess, going to wear the kilt for the first time! How will you look? What will your neighbours say? Will your wife still love you? Won’t your knees be getting cold? Will you wear the garment in the proper way? Many questions, and thankfully there are many answers. As for myself: you may count on some fine pictures, the very day I first wear a kilt (wide grin)!

Learn how to wear the kilt with glory!

The situation is different for Sir Charles’ spouse: Lady Fergusson. Even the “home Scots” of the official Clan Fergusson Society website occasionally plunge straight into the trap of calling her “Lady Amanda” or “Lady Amanda Fergusson”. As far as I know, a Lady Amanda (Fergusson) does not exist… and if she does, she certainly isn’t the wife of our Chief! The wife of a Baronet is called “Lady Husbandssurname”, which in the case of “our” lady is Lady Fergusson. Her first name Amanda is not part of this style/title.

If anywhere a Lady Amanda Fergusson were to exist, she would be the daughter of an Earl, Marquis or Duke – which “our” Lady isn’t.

This sermon may now raise the question: “Is this important?” In a personal sense I guess it isn’t: I can hardly imagine that being addressed as “Lady Amanda” would upset Lady Fergusson even in the slightest, nor do I visualize Sir Charles running to the aid of his spouse wielding the mighty claymore in a threatening and truly disturbing way.

On the other hand, in let’s say a “clan sense”, I think there may be at least some importance. Clansmanship is, among other things, about honouring traditions – and addressing people in the correct way is part of those traditions. Otherwise you might as well call our leading couple “Chuck” and “Mandy” (wide and wicked grin)!

This requires no permission from anybody, not even from our Chief himself – on the contrary! In the rather unlikely case that Sir Charles as our Clan Chief disapproves of anybody’s membership, he must particularly state that the person in question is not to be allowed to join the clan – which to my admittedly limited knowledge he has never done. Nor does the Clan Fergus(s)on Society have any say in the matter, and neither does one need to be a Society member in order to be a Clansman. The latter having been said, it’s of course a good idea to become a Society member anyway, even if it were only to enjoy the perks.

Among those perks is, unfortunately, not (yet) a certificate of Society membership, and since the “Clan as such” by definition doesn’t supply any papers, the easiest way to still “show off” your membership of the Clan Fergus(s)on is by documenting your Allegiance to the Chief on a piece of impressive looking paper and sticking it to the wall of your living room or den. Of course you proudly wear our Clan badge on the appropriate occasions, but watching telly in your T-shirt while drinking beer with your mates probably isn’t one of those. It’s clear then: a paper certificate, proudly displayed on the wall, is needed badly!

And here “Not the Clan Fergus(s)on Society” comes to your aid! If you click on the pic above, you will be taken to the full-size certificate which you can then download, print out, calligraph with your own name, add place, date and signature and… voilà!

Of course I’m not much of an artist, and among you are undoubtedly creative people who can make a much better certificate! If you are one of them, please don’t be shy: publish your design on this site and help your fellow Clanspeople!

Well dad, I hope this was good enough for you.
I could also tell you how my day was, but I don’t think that would be very interesting…
That’s about it, I guess!

- Suzanne

Do you think this is the right decision? Let me know via a comment please!

Be well, all of you!