When a member of the Clan Carruthers Society (International) is honoured, either by the Chief himself or by an outside agency of high repute, it always reflects well on the individual’s standing in the wider society of Scottish culture and heritage.
This is even more important when that reputation is through the evidenced-based research which relates dirtectly to our family. It is a further accolade when that work is deemed worthy enough to support an honour awarded by an external prestigeous organisation, which appreciates the hard work that individuals do in the promotion of our name.
We are therefore proud to announce the successful election of not one, but three prominent and highly respected members of our Carruthers family into the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland as Fellows.
The post nominals FSAScot are widely regarded as a prestigious and respected honour, especially within the fields of Scottish history, archaeology, genealogy, museum studies, and cultural heritage. Here’s a clear breakdown of how and why it is considered prestigious, so you can see where it stands compared to other scholarly honours.
The arms of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland feature a design that includes a blue shield with a white cross of St. Andrew, an imperial crown above, and a thistle at the base, all within a double tressure flory counterflory. This heraldic symbol represents the Society’s heritage and its role in preserving Scotland’s history.
As an institution, the society is taken very seriously by governments, playing a central role in promoting and preserving Scotland’s historical, archaeological and cultural heritage and is recognised as such by heritage organisations, academics, and heritage professionals both in Scotland and worldwide, often being consulted on matters relating to historic environment legislation in Scotland.
Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
FSAScot stands for: Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland was founded nearly 250 years ago in 1780 and was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1783. It is a learned society dedicated to the study, preservation, and promotion of Scotland’s history, archaeology, heritage, and material culture. Election as a Fellow (FSAScot) is an honour recognising meaningful contribution to these fields.
What does it mean to be an FSAScot:
The individual is an elected member of a highly respected scholarly society. It therefore acknowledges contributions to Scottish history, archaeology, genealogy, heritage, or related research. Fellows can use the post-nominal FSAScot after their name.
Fellowship is by invitation only and requires proofs of works.
An applicant must have demonstrated robust interest or a contribution in Scotland’s history, archaeology, culture, genealogy, museum work, or heritage studies and able to show that they are engaged in the field. This can include publishing good research, contributing to heritage organisations in an evidence-based manner, running or participating in a historical society producing scholarly or well-researched content.
For us as Carruthers, this is covered by the solid historical, genealogical and genetic research that we are doing at the Clan Carruthers Society (International) on your behalf, and we are proud to say, it is recognised internationally as such.
A nomination therefore requires two existing Fellows (FSA Scot) to act as proposers (nominators). One is the primary proposer, the second is a supporter but both must agree on three things: The applicant’s suitability as a fellow, their robust contributions to Scottish historical or cultural studies and just as importantly, that they will be an asset to the Society. This process requires the proposer and seconder to submit statements supporting an application, as well as a CV/Summary of relevant work and examples of contributions by the applicant.
After these pieces of information are received, they are reviewed by the Council of the Society of Antiquaries who typically consider: Academic merit, contribution to Scottish heritage, engagement with research or preservation and the integrity and professionalism of the applicant.
The propsals are then presented to the full membership for a vote and if the election is successful, acceptance as a fellow grants you:
- The use of the post-nominals FSAScot,
- Access to Society publications, events, lectures, and research networks
- Voting rights within the Society
- A community of historians, archaeologists, genealogists, museum professionals, and scholars from which to network
- Increased credibility in publishing historical or genealogical work
- Recognition of contributions to Scottish history and culture
- Opportunities to collaborate on heritage or academic projects
Carruthers honoured with the post nominals FSAScot
Listed are current Members of the official Clan Carruthers Society (International) in order of acceptance into the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland include:
- Dr George Carruthers, FSAScot, Shennachie, Member of the Chief’s Household, Senior Member of the Chief’s Council. (*)
- Dana Caruthers Norton, FSAScot, Clan Commissioner (USA) Senior Clan Genealogist, Member of the Chief’s Council,
- Dr George Haig, FSAScot, Advisor to the Chief, Member of the Chief’s Council. (*)
- Gary John Carruthers, FSAScot, Senior Clan Genealogist, Advisor to the Chief, Member of the Chief’s Council. (*)
- Craig Carrothers Monument, FSAScot, Clan Commissioner (Australia), Member of the Chief’s Council.
- Dr Lizzie Monument, FSA Scot, Regional Secretary (Australia).
- Laurie Carruthers Canon , FSAScot, Clan Commissioner (Canada), Member of the Chief’s Council, Senior Clan Genealogist.
- Michael Carruthers, FSAScot, Convenor, Member of the Chiefs Council.
- Steve Carruthers Colburn, FSAScot, DNA Research Director, Member of the Chief’s Council.
- Gail Carruthers White, FSAScot, Honorary Member of the Chief’s Household.
Of the above mentioned, three are currently armigers having been granted arms by the Lord Lyon and denoted by (*). Beside these, we are aware that there is at least one other investigating the possibility of the grant of arms, and one other who will be petitioning the Lord Lyon for arms in the new year.
Personal arms gives the individual the right to their own crest as a cap badge, with the right to wear one feather.
As a Society who officially represents our clan and family worldwide and more importantly is recognised as such, we are proud of those members who have been honoured in this way.
We further thank them for their continued participation and all the hard work they do for us in the background. Without their support and efforts and not forgetting those many others not mentioned here, neither the society nor our name would have achieved the international recognition it has attained to date. These Fellowships go in a small way to thank them for their tenacity and belief in the Carruthers heritage and good name.
Thank you all.
Promptus et Fidelis.
I see we newbies are in very good company. Thank you George
Always a pleasure Gail. Never newbies always part of the whole.