by Philip Beddows
Seanachaidh to the Chief, Clan MacBean
Written for publication in the 2022 edition of ‘Touch Not’, the magazine of The Clan Chattan Association.
The role of the Seanachaidh or ‘Sennachie’ – as it is often spelled in its anglicised form, appears to be making something of a comeback within Highland clans, and I was humbled and honoured to be appointed recently to the role by Richard McBain of McBain. Before this was announced, he and I had conversations about the role, the traditional part it once played in the life of a clan and what relevance it may have in the modern world. I sought out and connected with people who fulfil the role today to learn more about it, and I am very grateful for the insights and guidance they have provided, not least our Clan Chattan kinsmen Grahame Thom, and William Shaw of Easter Lair.
The Seanachaidh, or ‘Sennachie’, is a personal appointment by the Chief, rather than an officer of the clan organisation, and its origins go back very far into the mists of time. As the legendary Sir Fitzroy Maclean, the model for Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 has written, in the Highlands of Scotland the seanachaidh was also the clan bard, half poet and half historian and had an honoured place in the household of every clan chief, alongside the clan piper and others. Sir Fitzroy saw the seanachaidh as embodying ‘the very essence of the clan’s spirit’. I was lucky to be able to have a conversation with the current seanachaidh to Sir Lachlan Maclean of Duart – Scot AnSgeulaiche, who shared that he sees the seanachaidh as being ‘the collective memory of the clan’, and as historian, oral history keeper, keeper of agreements, genealogist, lauder of praise, decrier of the decriers, poet, storyteller, advisor to the chief and performer. William Shaw of Easter Lair, who served as seanachaidh to the previous Chief of Clan Shaw and continues to fulfil the tradition for his own branch the Shaws of Crathienaird, Glenisla and Glenshee, sees the seanachaidh as ‘the keeper of the flame’.
Our own Dr Alexander MacBain of Inverness, the 19th century Gaelic Scholar, described the seanachaidh in his etymological dictionary as a reciter of ancient lore and a historian. Edward Dwelly, the well-known 20th century author of a multi-volume gaelic dictionary, defined the seanachaidh as a reciter of tales or stories, an antiquarian, one skilled in ancient or remote history, a historian, recorder, keeper of records, and genealogist. The seanachaidh has also been described as akin to a ‘herald-bard’, and for some the role continues to have an important responsibility as the Chief’s herald, helping to preserve respect for, and correct use and display of the Chief’s heraldry.
Grahame Thom was appointed as Sennachie for Clan MacThomas by his Chief in May 2010, and for him the role today involves being the custodian of genealogies, records and histories of the Clan and its Chiefs, and members within the greater clan family. Also, to tell stories of the clan, and write up the histories of its chiefs and people, and could also be as master of ceremonies, for example at the inauguration of a new chief. A wonderful account of just such an historic moment in 1971 has been preserved within the pages of the Clan MacThomas magazine ‘Clach na Coileach’ (Vol. 1, page 96), at which the Seanachaidh formally presented Andrew MacThomas of Finegand at the famous Cockstane south of Glen Shee, delivered to him the insignia of chiefship and declaimed aloud his genealogy back to Tomaidh Mor, the founder of the clan.
In the historical past, it is likely that the chiefs of Clan MacBean and those of all the other clans of Clan Chattan would have had a seanachaidh; but in the case of Clan MacBean no record of the role exists within any surviving historical records or memory, so there is no established template to follow. Our clan already has an excellent Clan Genealogist and supporting team, so for us the seanachaidh would focus most importantly on the records and stories of the family of our chiefs and the traditions and history of the clan as a whole – a role that is well established historically, one of the seanachaidh’s most important roles being genealogist of the Chief’s house. Additionally, being available to offer advisory support and guidance to the clan’s Genealogist, when helpful.
It is the intention to allow the role of the seanachaidh in Clan MacBean to evolve in a suitable and supportive way for the Chief and the community of the clan.
Written for publication in the 2022 edition of ‘Touch Not’, the magazine of The Clan Chattan Association.
First published in Touch Not, the magazine of the Clan Chattan Association, 2022.