As we approach the Carruthers Gathering where a special occasion in Carruthers history will take place, that being the Inauguration of our Clan Chief. Peter Carruthers of Holmains was been confirmed by the Lord Lyon as Chief of the Name and Arms of Carruthers in 2019 after many years of research to find the chiefly heir, and nearly two years of analysis by the Lyon Court of the proofs, to include two court hearings. Although his recognition as head of the family came about immediately on confirmation by the Lord Lyon. The inauguration itself is a traditional Scottish ceremony following in the footsteps of many chiefs before him, and many coming after and allows Carruthers to formally welcome their chief.
In attendance and to act as witnesses, will be the Chief’s family, invited clan Chief’s, the Shennachie and members of the family.
This will be the first time that a Border Chief has been inaugurated on his ancestral lands for a great many years and as such is not only a Carruthers celebration but a celebration of the history of Border families from the old West March in general.
Following other recognised Scottish clans and families, the question is what is a Grand Council, who sits on it and who chooses the its make up.
Whereas the Clan Society, in our case Clan Carruthers Society (International), will promote the history, tradition, and heritage of Carruthers and Scotland, the Grand Council, also known as the High Council is a totally separate entity. Its role would act as a governing body of the Clan and Family of Carruthers and if called, acts like a parliament. It represents and advises on internal decisions which may affect the name and reputation of our international family. As in ancient times, the Clan had a Representor (aka a Chief ) recognised by the Crown, who in accordance with Scots Law, and accepting Carruthers are an ancient Scottish border family, had legal rights over their clan in certain matters in the jurisdiction of Scotland. It is therefore through the confirmation of our chief, Peter Carruthers of Holmains through the auspices of the Lord Lyon on behalf of the Crown, has raised Carruthers from armigerous status (no chief) to official status and is seen as a ‘Noble Incorporation’ in Scots law.
The make-up of a High/Grand Council, if required would be at the discretion of a Chief, however one ancient format would be as seen below, but could be probably be adjusted to fit modern society as required. It is laid our below as a representation of what could happen if our Chief was inclined to do so.
Clan Chief
Clan Chief recognized by the Sovereign through her Officer of Honour, the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Convenor of this Clan Council: Simon Peter (Peter) Carruthers of Holmains.
Heir
Clan Representor’s primogeniture male heir. Actively participates on the Clan Council as an officer of the Clan. Asher Carruthers, eldest son of Peter Carruthers.
Chief’s Immediate Family
Descendants of the grandfather Chief – Actively participates on the Clan Council as an officer of the Clan.
Household of the Representor (Chief’s Household)
Accepting the armorials of our family list only 14 registered and recognised Carruthers arms, of these only 6 are considered active.
*As such to be classed as a member of the Household, the individual must be, in our case a CARRUTHERS (broadly defined) by birth, and a CARRUTHERS Armiger. These are hereditary positions that transfer with Arms.
Currently there are five living armigers in the Carruthers family, excluding the Chief, all who would be eligible:
Bruce Nigel Mitchell Carruthers,
James Andrew Carruthers,
Iain Arthur Stewart Carruthers,
George Carruthers, FSA Scot
Gary John Carruthers, FSA Scot
Appreciating all these below would be at the discretion and appointment of any Chief, whether listed or in fact, the appointment itself was to be a hereditary position or not.
Hereditary Chieftain
None listed to date (although Dormont could be a possibility)
Seannachie
Clan Historian, Herald & the Chief’s Genealogist :
Dr George Carruthers FSA Scot
Standard Bearer
Could be appointed
Sword Bearer
Could be appointed
Chief’s Bodyguard
Could be appointed
Clan Gentry
*Generally must be a Carruthers (broadly defined) by birth and is a non-hereditary position.
These posts could be filled by other Officers of the clan to include the Regional Commissioners, appointed by the Chief, in our case and as it stand as of now:
The Society Convenor, Michael Carruthers
Ian Carruthers, Commissioner for Africa
Craig Carrothers Monument, Commissioner for Australasia
Andrew James Carruthers, Commissioner for Canada
Cecilia Mitchell Carruthers, Commissioner for Europe
Matthew Carruthers, Commissioner for the United Kingdom
Dana Carruthers Norton, Commissioner for the United States of America
It could also include any other member of Carruthers that the Chief so desires based on their works for the family.
However, would it be formed, called, or required, who knows but it is there to be used and other clans and families use them albeit in part to offer as honours bestowed by the chiefs themselves on those who are working for the furtherance of the name Carruthers.
Bottom line, the Chief decides such things, and having never had one for 210 years prior to 2019, things are slowly progressing, but let’s get the inauguration out the way first and look ahead to ensure our name and our pride in it continues through the generations of Carrutherrs to come.
See you in Annan, Dumfriesshire August 24-25, to be part of a truly historic occasion for our family.
