2014 Strachan Tour

As part of the events leading up to the Family Convention, on Wednesday, 8 April 2014, the Society planned a tour of the Strachan District.

On Friday, 11 April 2014, we took out first step in returning honour and dignity to the Name of Strachan as we held the 2014 Clan Strachan Family Convention.

2014 Family Convention

A Family Convention, or Derbhfine, is an official meeting held under the supervision of the Court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is a meeting of "Leading Members of the Family or Name in question," which generally includes Scottish Armigers, Scottish landowners and other property owners, as well as other eminent and professional individuals born with the surname of STRACHAN. The Attendees of a Family Convention should be across a broad geographical region, with strong representation in Scotland. All Attendees to a Family Convention need to be found acceptable by the Court of the Lord Lyon's appointed Supervising Officer.

There are a number of circumstances in which it would seem appropriate to hold a Family Convention, but generally it is when a Scottish Family (aka a Clan) no longer has a Clan Chief recognised by the Sovereign of Scotland. This generally occurs when the Chief dies without heir (male or female) to his Name and Arms.

From a historical perspective, the last cadet line of the chiefly stem was Strachan of Thornton. In 1659, Thornton Castle and the Baronetcy of Nova Scotia was succeeded by collateral succession through an extremely remote relative, James Strachan of Inchtuthill. In 1683, he sold the Castle and Mains of Thornton to his wife's father, Robert Forbes of Waterton, for the tidy sum of 13,934 14s 8d merks, and James resigned his own interest in favour of his wife (Barbara Forbes).

The Chiefly stem began failing in the male line for successive generations, with the the last individual who could have claimed the chiefship being Admiral Sir Richard John Strachan, R.N., Baronet of Nova Scotia, and Representor of Thornton. Sir Dicky (as he was called by his friends) died in 1828 at his home in London without male heir (he was survived by three daughters). Although he assumed the title of Baronet, Sir Dicky never filed a petition in Scotland to matriculate the Arms and Chiefship of Strachan.  Born 27 October 1760, his birth was only 14 years after the Jacobite rebellion to re-claim Scotland ended at the Battle of Culloden (16 April 1746).  There was a strong anti-Highland sentiment both in the Scottish Lowlands and England during his formative years. It is speculative, but as one can imagine Sir Dicky would have likely renounced any association as a Chief of a Scottish Clan, especially given he and the family had been residing in England for generations,combined with his career in the Royal Navy.

About 12 years after the death of Sir Richard, one Mr. John Strachan of Cliffden, Teignmouth, Devonshire, preferred a claim to the representation of the House of Thornton, and passed through a form of service before the bailies of the Canongate.  In his claim or brief, Strachan of Cliffden sought to instruct his descent from Roger Strachan of Glichno, brother of John Strachan of Thornton, great-grandfather of the first Baronet.  Roger Strachan was set forth as father of Dr. Robert Strachan, physician in Montrose, whose son John was minister of Strachan.  George, a son of the minister, was represented as a merchant in Montrose, and father of James Strachan, Lieutenant R.N. father of the claimant.  This statement of pedigree, unsupported by evidence, and in entire variance with chronological requirements, being [surprisingly] accepted by a friendly jury, and certified by the Canongate bailies, formed the basis of a retour in Chancery, bearing date 8th November 1841.  Mr. Strachan of Cliffden, styled thereafter as Sir John Strachan, Bart. died June 1844, leaving two sons.  John, the elder, died the following year on 20 January 1854, s.p.; and  James Graham, the younger son, died unmarried.  Both of these sons died without issue, and thus came an end to the Barontecy of Nova Scotia (1854); which never would have asserted itself but for the absurd facilities afforded by the law then existing in Scotland. (HG viii, p. 306)  Because of the lack of genealogical proofs, the Strachan of Cliffden line is not recognized as being the rightful and legitimate Chief of Strachan, and as you can see appears to have been quite fortunate to have even claimed the Baronetcy itself.

Therefore, the Chiefship of Clan Strachan lay officially dormant for nearly 186 years, and has likely long been renounced for prior centuries.

Charles J. Burnett, Ross Herald Extraordinary
Appointed Supervising Officer to the Strachan Family Convention

On Friday, 11 April 2014, a Strachan Family Convention (or "Ad Hoc Derbhfine") was held at the Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh, Scotland.  There were 21 Attendees at the Family Convention from multiple continents.  These included nine residents from Scotland, two from England, seven Americans, two Canadians, and one Australian.   All born bearing the surname of STRACHAN, broadly defined.

Charles J. Burnett, Esq., Ross Herald Extraordinary, an Officer of Arms at the Court of the Lord Lyon, and the appointed Supervising Officer of the Strachan Family Convention began the meeting by eloquently explaining that these proceedings were a democratic process by which a Scottish Clan chooses an individual as their leader and Representor, and who after serving as Commander for a period of time may eventually become hereditary Chief of the Name and Arms.

Mr. Jim Strachan, Co-Founder of the Clan Strachan Society, and a Scottish Armiger of Clan Strachan next spoke about the Society's nine year struggle to bring legitimacy and return honour to the Name of STRACHAN, as well as various efforts and procedures leading up to the day. Mr. Strachan explained that in May 2013 a worldwide conference call was held among those authorised by the Court of the Lord Lyon to attend the Derbhfine. He explained that there were three competitors to the chiefship, and each competitor was mutually supportive of the others; as well as the will of the Derbhfine Council. The conference call concluded amicably with unanimous consent to propose Rob Strachan as Commander.

Mr. Burnett then addressed the Strachan Derbhfine, and asked various attendees their thoughts and also inquired as to any dissenting opinions.  After some exchange of comments among the Attendees it was quite apparent that the Derbhfine Council unanimously supported Rob as Commander, and Luke Strachan as his legitimate heir in Name and Arms.

Rob was then called to give a brief speech about his vision for the clan.   In a bit of brilliant diplomatic gamesmanship, rather than dictating from the top Rob asked the Derbhfine Council their expectations of him, and what our shared vision for Clan Strachan might be?  

Again, after a brief exchange, Mr. Burnett called a conclusion to the meeting.  Mr. Burnett then confirmed to the Attendees he would file a report and recommendation with the Lord Lyon that Rob Strachan, with unanimous consent of the Family Convention, would be recommended as Commander of Clan Strachan.

Back Row: Walter Strachan, Dr. T.Martin Strahan, Stuart Strachan, Mike Strahan, Walter Strachan, Garry Strachan, Judy Strawn, David Strachan, Drew Strachan, Richard Strachan, John Strachan, Mike Strawhun, Bill Strachan, George Strachan, Lloyd Strachan and Capt. Les Strachan
Front Row: Roddy Strachan, Baron of Benholm; Jim Strachan, Rob Strachan, Dennis Strawhun, and Professor Sir Hew Strachan.

After the Family Convention, a dinner at the Royal Scots Club was held.  The dinner was publicized in the June 2014 issue of the Scottish Field Magazine (see below).

The dinner was attended by over 80 Strachans and other guests from around the globe. 

 
Clan Strachan Ad Hoc Derbhfine of 2014 - Dinner

The Clan Sword and White Rod, symbols of Chiefly power and judicial authority were given to Rob Strachan as Chairman of the Clan Strachan Charitable Trust by the two Co-Founders of the Clan Strachan Society, Jim Strachan and Dennis Strawhun.  Pictured from left to right:  Rob Strachan, Dennis Strawhun, and Jim Strachan.

Various other awards were given throughout the evening, including the Order of the Hart, which is the Society's highest honour. 

The Clan Constitution was signed, and near the end of the evening Rob created the Clan Council for Clan Strachan, which is the worldwide governing body of the family.  

On Tuesday, 15-Apr 2014, Mr. Burnett submitted his report  to Dr. Joseph J. Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms, with a recommendation to recognise Rob Strachan as Clan Commander. 

On 23 April 2014, the Dr. Joseph J. Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms signed a warrant appointing Rob as Commander of Clan Strachan.  [Ref. 29-APR 2014 Press Release]

On 1 May 2014, the Scotsman Newspaper ran the above story.  Articles were also ran in the Scottish Banner, the Aberdeen Press & Journal, and others.

Charles Robert Lund Strachan
Commander of the Honourable Clan Strachan

2014 Attendee List: Clan Strachan Family Convention

Below are individuals who attended and participated in the Ad Hoc Derbhfine of 2014.

	James Andrew (Jim) Strachan, BA, MBA, FSA Scot Co-Founder, Treasurer, and past Convenor and Deputy Convenor of the Clan Strachan Society; Trustee, Clan Strachan Charitable Trust Temecula, California USA
	Sir Hew Francis Anthony Strachan, Knight, MA, PhD, DL (Tweeddale), Hon D Univ (Univ of Paisley), FRSE, FRHistS Laird of Glenhighton Farm, Broughton, Biggar, Scotland
	T. Martin Strahan, MB BS, DrPH, FRACP, FAFPHM, FACPM Member and Director, Clan Strachan Society; Trustee, Clan Strachan Charitable Trust Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
	Roderick Strachan of Benholm, Baron of Benholm Member, Clan Strachan Trustee, Clan Strachan Charitable Trust Benholm Castle, Scotland
	James Andrew (Drew) Strachan (RA-Ret) Member, Clan Strachan Society Elgin, Moray, Scotland
	Charles Robert Lund (Rob) Strachan, Proposed Commander Member, Clan Strachan Society Convenor and Trustee, Clan Strachan Charitable Trust Mill of Strachan, Strachan, Aberdeenshire Scotland *Petition for Arms in the queue at the Court of the Lord Lyon
	Dennis Craig Strawhun Co-Founder & current Convenor of the Armigerous Clan Strachan Society whose Arms are shown here. Carlsbad, California USA
	Garry Strachan Cert. Genealogist. IHGS, Member AGRA, Member  APG Member, Directory, and Clan Genealogist, Clan Strachan Society Daventry, England
	Michael Ray Strawhun, BA USAF, Civilian Firefighter US Forestry Service, Battalion Chief US Federal Wildland Fire Incident Command System (ICS) Incident Commander and an Operations Section Chief Member, Director and Regional Commissioner, Clan Strachan Society Ojai, California, USA
	Judy Carole Strawn, BA Who's Who Member & Director, Newsletter Editor, Clan Strachan Society Los Angeles, California, USA
	Michael George Strahan, BA, MBA Deputy Convenor, Clan Strachan Society Fishers, Indiana, USA
	Dr. Lloyd W. Strachan, BSA, MS, PhD Member, Director and Regional Commissioner, Clan Strachan Society Ashton, Ontario, Canada
	William (David)  Strachan, (BSc MA VetMB PhD MRCVS) Mill of Keig, Keig, Alford, Aberdeenshire Scotland
	John Sublet Strachan Member of the Clan Strachan Society Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA
	John (Stuart) Strachan Member of the Clan Strachan Society Glasgow, Scotland
	Capt. Leslie Strachan (SAAF-Ret) Kent, England
	Walter George Strachan Member, Clan Strachan Society Nova Scotia, Canada
	Richard John Strachan, Senior Archeologist, Historic Scotland Member, Clan Strachan Society Dunbar, Scotland
	William Strachan Member, Clan Strachan Society Glennoch Tighphuirt, Glencoe, Scotland
	Walter Lewis Strachan (Black Watch TAVR - Ret) Member, Clan Strachan Society Dunfermline, Scotland
	George Duncan Strachan Sewell, New Jersey, USA

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