Clan MacThomas Society to converge in Perthshire

Mar 15 2011 by Iain Howie, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

MEMBERS of a clan with centuries old links to Perthshire are set to return en masse in May.

The Clan MacThomas Society, whose roots trace back to the area around Glenshee, now gather once every three years to celebrate their ancestry and honour their previous chiefs.

The next official gathering is set to take place over the bank holiday weekend of May 28 at Dalmunzie Hotel in Glenshee, with events following in the footsteps of notable and legendary clan members through the mists of time.

The Clan MacThomas dates back to the 15th Century with records showing a gaelic-speaking highlander, known as Tomaidh Mor (Great Tommy) who was a descendent of the eighth Chief of the Clan Chattan, was disheartened after the Clan Chattan Confederation became large and unmanageable.

He subsequently took his kinsmen and followers across the Grampians, from Badenoch to Glenshee, where they settled and flourished.

In time their names ranges from McColm to Thomson, but to the government in Edinburgh they were known as MacThomas, which remains the official name of the clan to this day.

One of its greatest leaders was the 7th Chief , John McComie (Iain Mor). His deeds have passed into the folklore of Perthshire and Angus, where he is generally known as ‘McComie Mor’.

In 1954, the Clan MacThomas Society was formed and 13 years later, Patrick Watt MacThomas, was once officially recognised by the Lyon Court by the historic designation ‘The MacThomas of Finegand’.

He died in 1970, being succeeded as 19th Chief by his only son, Andrew MacThomas of Finegand.

It was during his lifetime that the Clan’s ancient gathering ground – The Cockstane, in the Lair Wood on the A93 – was purchased.

A new bridge over Shee Water was named after the family in the same era, while the Clan’s historic links with Glenshee were also re-established.

Info can be found at website www.clanmacthomas.com.