The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

CONCLUSION.
Having now concluded the history of the Highland clans
according to the system established in the former part of the
Work, it may be proper here to state in a few words the simple
but highly important conclusion to which these researches have
brought us.
First. The Gaelic race at present occupying the Highlands
have existed as a distinct and peculiar people, inhabiting the
same districts which they now occupy, from the earliest period
to which the records of history reach.
Secondly. Previous to the thirteenth century, that Gaelic
nation was divided into a few great tribes, which exactly
correspond with the ancient earldoms of that part of Scotland.
The hereditary chiefs of these tribes were termed Maormors
a title which the influence of Saxon manners changed to that
of earl.
Thirdly. From these few tribes all the Highlanders are
descended, and to one or other of them each of the Highland
clans can be traced.
Upon this system, therefore, has every part of the present
Work been brought to bear. Each of the clans has been viewed
rather as forming a part of one great whole than as a separate
family detached from all others, and it has throughout been
deemed of more importance to establish with precision the place
of each clan in this great system, than to enter into any detail
of their history. Of the importance of the result to which all
these researches have led, it is impossible for a moment to
doubt ; and
while a view has been given of the history of each
detached portion, everything has been brought to contribute, in
some degree, to the establishment of a great truth as new as it
is important.