Over the years we have ensured that we as a society, representing Carruthers worldwide retain our membership of pertinent groups in Australia (SAHC: Scottish – Australian Heritage Council), in Canada (CASSOC: Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada) and in the USA (COSCA: Council of Scottish Clans & Associations) as well as links with such publications as the Scottish Banner.
We are pleased to report that our Chief’s Inauguration in Annan, Dumfriesshire in Scotland is covered in the October edition on page 21. This means that along with our social media presence and other outlets, the Inauguration of Peter Carruthers of Holmains, Hereditary Chief of the Scottish Border Clan and Family is resonating around the world.
The 24th of August saw the final part of the journey initiated by our past Convenor, Dr George Carruthers FSA Scot, in 2007. Carruthers have hit all the targets, and all using correct procedures and official channels. We therefore have arrived and ‘ride’ once again.
OUR JOURNEY SO FAR 2007-2024 (17 years in the making)
The efforts of our Society are always based on the official and legal routes and any publication we produce, on current evidence and proven facts. It is after all our Name, our history and our heritage that is at stake and therefore we strongly feel that it is worthwhile protecting.
As a Society our aim has been to build something long lasting, ensuring both sustainability and a positive reputation for our clan and family for many generations to come is well under way. Under the authority of our hereditary Chief, Peter Carruthers of Holmains to represent our family worldwide, our representation has expanded out from Scotland to the four corners of the earth. We hope that you will continue to support our efforts, not only for us as Carruthers but for the pride in our family to be shared by our children and their children’s children going forward.
The inauguration of our chief was the culmination of years of hard work and effort, but we achieved our goal and now Carruthers can take its proper and legitimate place in Scottish clan and family society, a situation to be celebrated by all of our name and derivations of the same worldwide.
George Carruthers,
Sheannachie to the Chief
From the Scottish Banner:
Behind the scenes for the benefit of the proud and ancient name Carruthers.
Initiated in 2007 by Dr George Carruthers, here is a summary of what has been achieved to date in search of a legally recognised Chief, the inauguration being the final piece in the jigsaw in attaining legal and official recognition for our clan and family.
- Pre-2007 – 2015: The Run Up.
- Pre-2007, based on the correlated work initiated by John J Reid in the mid 1800’s, built on by A. Stanley Carruthers and his son, R.C. Reid in the 1920s and 30’s, and further enhanced by information gleaned from current and passed members of our family, action was initiated. It was decided to look for a way of improving the perception of Carruthers and its history in Scottish clan and family culture and in any future media.
- Pre-2007- 2015, Discussions were held within the family and with Scottish and Clan Historians, Genealogists (both in Scotland and abroad), members of the Lyon Court, Heraldists, Clan Chiefs and other clan dignitaries, to look at a way forward in order to achieve official Clan status.
- 2007, Clan Carruthers Facebook page was set up to gauge interest in our quest.
- Further gathering and analysis of genealogical and historical information on the family and specifically the extinct House of Mouswald and the living senior lines of Carruthers: mainly Holmains and Dormont was undertaken.
- With the last Chief being John Carruthers 12th of Holmains and 8th Baron in 1809, we needed to look at the viability after over 200 years of a Carruthers hereditary chief being confirmed by the Lord Lyon then inaugurated, ideally in Annandale itself.
- 2016: The Preamble.
- Clan Carruthers webpage was formulated and launched. This would act as an evidenced based site for those interested in the Clan and Family of Carruthers.
- On the advice of our heraldist, a petition for arms was made to the Lord Lyon by Dr George Carruthers from Fife, to have arms granted.
- Again, on the advice of a Scottish historian, and to differentiate our Clan from anyone else, including Bruce, a visual signature in the guise of a ‘Carruthers’ tartan was deemed necessary.
- Dr George Carruthers commissioned a design by Brian Wilton MBE, tartan historian and designer to reflect our Reiver past in protecting our family, our homes and our country in the Scottish West March.
- Carruthers Red Tartan was born and duly registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans (STR 11700), a Scottish Government agency in Edinburgh.
- The commission to weave was given to the House of Edgar, Perth, Scotland, where it remains to this day.
- 2017: Formation of CCS(I).
- Gathering support from networking, the Facebook group and the webpages, the Clan Carruthers Society International (CCS-I) was finally fully formed in Jan 2017 and the Carruthers Tartan adopted as the Society tartan.
- Arms were granted by the Lord Lyon to Dr George Carruthers, Clan Convenor. The first Carruthers armiger since Carruthers of Dormont in 1913.
- The CCS-I web page was launched and David Newton (Carruthers) became Webmaster to the Clan. Its purpose would be, in conjunction with the Clan page, to factually inform and educate all those interested in Clan Carruthers, its heritage, pedigree and history.
- The Society’s Executive Council was formed. Dr George Carruthers (Scotland) was elected as interim Convenor with Dana Caruthers Norton (USA) and Cecilia Mitchell-Carruthers (France) as interim Vice- Convenors. It was further agreed that no external finances would be sought until a Chief was confirmed.
- The interim regional Clan Commissioners: Dana Caruthers Norton (USA), Cécilia Mitchell-Carruthers (Europe,) Graham Carruthers – (Australasia), and Michael Carruthers (Canada) were appointed by the Convenor.
- Membership of the Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada (CASSOC) was successfully sought and Graham Carruthers, the Society’s Executive Secretary represented the Clan at its AGM.
- Membership of the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA) was applied for and after being admitted, the Clan was represented by Dana Caruthers Norton, CCS-I Vice Convenor.
- Dana Caruthers Norton was appointed Clan and Society Genealogists, Gary Carruthers appointed as her deputy, the latter covering Australasia.
- After over 10 years of genealogical investigation and networking, the senior member of the Chiefly House of Holmains, Dr S. Peter Carruthers, was located and approached.
- An important marriage contract dated 1762, between John 12th of Holmains and Charlotte Laurie, was finally found confirming that succession would be passed through either the male or female lines.
- Two petitions, with evidenced proofs were presented to the Lord Lyon for his analysis and approval of a confirmation, after over 200 years, of a Carruthers Chief.
- As seniors of Carruthers were still alive, an election/family gathering/derbhfine under the auspices of the Lyon Court, would not be allowed as an option and an evidenced petition by the ‘heir’ needed to be put to the Lyon Court for his perusal.
- At this point, there were two challengers for the Chiefship: one from the Cadet line of Dormont, one from the Chiefly line of Holmains.
- Clan Convenor, Dr George Carruthers received the Order of the Scottish Samurai (OSS) from Charles, Lord Bruce, Mr Ronald Watt OBE ORS and the Consulate General of Japan to Scotland, for his work.
- 2018: Preparing for a Chief.
- The majority of the workload in 2018 was in networking, continued research and support, while securing and solidifying our status and representation both at home in Scotland, as well as on the international stage.
- Meetings throughout the year were attended by the Clan Convenor in Aberdeen, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Lochmaben, Birmingham and Glasgow, in order to publicise and garner support for our cause.
- The petitions for Chief previously presented to the Lyon Court for consideration required two court hearings. One of these was attended by both of the petitioners; Dr Simon Peter Carruthers (Holmains), James Andrew Carruthers of Dormont, while the Clan Convenor, Dr George Carruthers attended both as an observer.
- Dr Simon Peter Carruthers was the only petitioner who attended the second hearing and was represented by his legal counsel, Sir Crispin Agnew of Lochnaw QC.
- The Clan Convenor Dr Carruthers, was honoured as a Burgess and Freeman of the City of Glasgow
- The Clan Convenor, Dr George Carruthers FSA (Scot), was elected into Fellowship of the Society of Antiquaries, in Edinburgh for his work on the Clan.
- 2019: A Chief is Confirmed and Official Recognition.
- After 20 months of investigation and deliberation by the Lyon Court and over 12 years of research by the Clan Society, Dr Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains was confirmed Chief of the Name and Arms of Carruthers with additaments. The first recognised Chief of Carruthers in over 200 years.
- Clan Carruthers Society International – CCS(I) was confirmed and authorised by the Chief as the only official Society representing the Clan and Family of Carruthers and its derivatives worldwide.
- Clan Convenor Dr George Carruthers was recognised and confirmed by the Clan Chief in his roll.
- Both Vice-Convenors were confirmed in their posts by the Clan Convenor.
- The process was initiated to change the category of the red Carruthers tartan from Personal to Clan/Family.
- CCS-I Executive Secretary, Graham Carruthers and Zelda M Carruthers attend Fergus Festival in Canada to represent Clan Carruthers, meeting and speaking with the Lord Lyon on the day.
- Executive Secretary for Australia, Craig Monument (Carruthers), was appointed.
- Clan Carruthers and the CCS-I are recognised as a Society by the Scottish-Australian Heritage Council.
- A Clan Society Genealogy Research Group was set up to bring together our senior researchers under one banner. Based on the badly researched information available, this group offered all Carruthers Society members factual and evidenced based assistance with their own research.
- CCS-I Executive Secretary, Graham Carruthers voted onto the Board of CASSOC in Canada as a Director.
- November 2019, additaments were confirmed by the Lord Lyon and granted to the Chief. These were the added supporters on the Chiefs arms of; two fallow deer bucks rampant Proper.
- The Chief was also granted his banner and pinsel and a sprig of gorse in flower (Ulex europaeus) was officially recognised as the plant badge of Clan Carruthers.
- Clan Carruthers announced it would be in attendance, at the Fergus Scottish Festival, Ontario, Canada, represented by CCS-Canada. (Cancelled due to COVID).
- 2019: Moving Forward
- Led by William Carruthers, Executive Secretary – CCI-USA, Steve Colburn, yDNA Research Director and Dana Caruthers Norton, interim Clan Commissioner to the USA, Clan Carruthers Society – United States of America (CCS-USA) becomes a legally registered entity (501(c)3) but are awaiting non-profit clearance from the IRS.
- Dr George Haig appointed Treasurer to the Society
- Clan Commissioner for the USA, Dana Carruthers Norton confirmed in her role by the Clan Chief.
- Gary John Carruthers from Queensland, Australia was to become the latest Carruthers Armiger with arms matriculated by the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh.
- Gary Carruthers, Clan Commissioner for the Australia, confirmed in his role by the Chief.
- CCS-I Journal, ‘Promptus et Fidelis’, first issue since our Chief was confirmed is circulated to all society members
- CCS-I Chief Genealogist, Dana Caruthers Norton, FSA (Scot) was elected into Fellowship of the Society of Antiquaries (Scotland) for her work on Carruthers Genealogy in the US.
- Clan Carruthers yDNA Research Group was set up and the website launched. It is headed by CCS-USA Board Member and DNA specialist Steve Colburn (Carruthers).
- The registration and ownership of the Carruthers Red tartan was gifted by Dr George Carruthers FSA Scot, Clan Convenor, to the new Chief and the Clan for their adoption as the Clan tartan.
- Clan Chief confirms the adoption of the Carruthers Red (STR 11700), as the official Clan Carruthers tartan for all who support him, and the process was started.
- MacPhail Kiltmakers in British Columbia, become suppliers of Carruthers tartan.
- December 2019, the Clan Carruthers Facebook Page has, from small beginnings, achieved over 3500 engagements in a month, with 72 new members joining.
- 2020: Work Continues
- January 2020, as there was a new Chief in place adopting an existing registered tartan as his Clan tartan, the Carruthers tartan (STR11700) needed consideration by the Lord Lyon. This was given and subsequently the category and registration was changed from Personal to Clan/Family by the Scottish Register of Tartan to reflect this.
- January, Clan Carruthers announced it would be in attendance, at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, North Carolina, represented by CCS-USA. Cancelled due to COVID
- February, Liz Monument from Australia, appointed Editor of the Clan Society blog pages.
- February, Carruthers Clan Chief: Peter Carruthers of Holmains, is invited to join the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.
- February, CCS-Australia, extends its Board to include Australasia and Oceania.
- March, CCS-Aus & Oc are accepted as members of SAHC
- March, Laurie Carruthers Caron Pasher is appointed as a Clan and Society Genealogist for Canada.
- March, CCS-USA is accepted by the IRS for non-profit status in America.
- July, Clan Carruthers Society – Canada, attains registration as a Non-Profit organisation in Canada
- July, Andrew James Carruthers, Clan Commissioner for Canada, confirmed in his role by the Chief.
- July, Liz Monument, Australia, announced as joint Editor of the CCS-I Journal: Promptus et Fidelis
- August, Ian Leslie Hewett Carruthers, Clan Commissioner for the Africa, confirmed in his role by the Chief.
- August, Andersons Kiltmakers in Dumfries, Dumfriesshire become suppliers of the official Carruthers tartan.
- September, International Executive Council meeting held with the Chief and his heir.
- September, interview by the Society Convenor with former Lyon Clerk and current Snawdoun Herald, Mrs Elizabeth Roads.
- October 2020, Dr Peter Carruthers of Holmains, elected onto the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs as the hereditary Chief of Carruthers.
- Clan Badges redesigned and produced, based on the clan crest of the Chief.
- November 2020, Clan Convenor, Dr George Carruthers FSA Scot, is honoured by an invitation to the Incorporation of Hammermen of Edinburgh, who received their seal of cause in 1484, which he accepted.
- November, Harold John Carruthers, accepts role of Clan Historian for Canada.
- November 2020, the yDNA research group, along with our clan genealogists conjoin to set up a closely monitored archive of the Carruthers DNA map and Family Tree. This will be based on evidenced documented facts and robust DNA research.
- November 2020, Gary Carruthers FSA Scot, Clan Commissioners of Australasia and Oceania, elected into fellowship of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland for his Carruthers Genealogy work.
- November, CCS-I advised by the author Gordon MacGregor that Carruthers will be included in the Red Book of Scotland, the definitive, evidenced based and well researched academic series of historical and genealogical texts of Scottish Clans and Families.
- December, CCS-I registered as a Not for Profit organisation with the HMRC (UK Tax and Customs).
- 2021: Covid lockdown still in place, but work continues
- More suppliers offer to sell the official Carruthers tartan in Australia, USA and Scotland
- House of Edgar agrees to sell the official Carruthers tartan directly from their own stock. This means that any outlet or kiltmaker can purchase the tartan directly from the weavers.
- USA Kilts agree to list and sell official Carruthers tartan
- 2022: Work continues
- Chief is personal guest of the Buchanan at his inauguration as clan Chief of that name
- Michael Carruthers appointed by the Chief as UK Commissioner
- Gary John Carruthers Esq, retires as Clan Commissioner for Australasia and Oceania
- Craig Carrothers Monument acts as incumbent Commissioner for Australasia and Oceania.
- Discussions with Chief regarding set up of Chief’s Council.
- Search for venue for Inauguration begins.
- 2023: In preparation for the Inauguration
- Michael Carruthers, UK Commissioner looks at venues in our ancestral home to support our upcoming Inauguration.
- Scotcrest agree to produce Carruthers clan plaques.
- Chief, Convenor and UK Commissioner discuss logistics and venues.
- Decision made to hold inauguration in Annandale, Dumfriesshire, Scotland.
- Michael Carruthers liaises with Annan, the History Town Committee to hold our Chiefs Inauguration at the Annan Festival in August 2024.
- Carruthers historic sites tour route discussed by Gathering Executive.
- Chief begins to prepare for his Inauguration ceremony.
- The ScotlandShop promotes and offers items in Carruthers tartan
- 2024: The Inauguration
- Annan Festival Committee agree to Inauguration on site.
- They add ‘Gathering of Clans and Families’ to their venue
- Chief, Convenor and UK Commissioner walk the festival site and meet local Carruthers for access to ancestral locations.
- Tour company organised for visits to Carruthers sites
- Annan Distillery booked for Inauguration Dinner, Cèilidh and AGM.
- Speakers at Dinner to include: Dr George Carruthers FSA Scot, Steve Carruthers Colburn, Carruthers DNA Research Lead and Ross McEwen Esq, LLM, FSA Scot confirmed.
- Inauguration of Chief goes ahead on 24 August 2024 in the presence of Carruthers from the local area, other parts of Scotland and the UK, Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States of America.
- Letters Patent from the Lord Lyon on behalf of the British Monarch was presented to the Chief by Sir Crispin Agnew Bt, LVO, KC, FRGS, Albany Herald Extraordinary.
- Chief makes and confirms appointments on the day of his inauguration which includes members of his Council.
- George Carruthers Esq FSA Scot, appointed Shennachie to the Chief (Scotland).
- Michael Carruthers appointed Convenor (England).
- Cécelia Mitchell Carruthers appointed Hereditary Banner Bearer as a member of the Chief’s Household and confirmed as Commissioner for Europe (France).
- Gail Carruthers White appointed Honorary Member of the Chief’s Household (USA).
- Gary John Carruthers Esq, FSA Scot, confirmed as Clan Genealogist and Advisor to the Chief (Australia).
- George Haig Esq, FSA Scot, appointed Advisor to the Chief (Scotland).
- Ian Leslie Hewett Carruthers, confirmed as Commissioner for Africa.
- Andrew James Carruthers, confirmed as Commissioner for Canada.
- Craig Carrothers Monument, confirmed as Commissioner for Australia and Oceania.
- Dana Caruthers Norton, FSA Scot confirmed as Clan Genealogist (USA).
- Laurie Carruthers Caron, FSA Scot appointed Clan Genealogist (Canada).
- Steve Carruthers Colburn appointed Clan Genealogist – DNA (USA).
- Scottish Clan Chiefs who gave greetings on the day; Agnew, Buchanan, Hunter, Hannay, Irving and MacArthur and the Commander of Clan MacEwen.
Carruthers Heritage Project:
The hope is for us to raise annually through donations, to help continue the upkeep of the Little Dalton Church in Annandale, the burial ground of Carruthers of Holmains. The site was looked after by a Trust headed by Carruthers of Dormont, which has come to an end.
Nicely presented