Although the Celts can be considered an ancient civilization, their influence can still be seen and felt today. One of the largest ways the Celt’s influence can still be seen is, in what we recognize as the Scottish Clans system.

The Scottish Clans are an important thing to many people, with countless numbers following their history and ancestry, and many others being actively involved in their Clans. This adherence to the traditional way of life is a testament to the Celtic Clans that preceded it. As it is seen today, Celtic Clans were organized with a Clan chief (Laird) at the head of the Clan followed by the skilled men, and others of rank. This is the Scottish Clan system we recognize today. So for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge of the Scottish Clanssystem, the history of the Celts and their society, would be an obvious thing to investigate further.

It is not unusual[spin] for part of the culture like [spin]spoken language, traditions, religion, jewellery, designs or even a Clan system to be passed on betweens people of one geographic location, but it is slightly unusual that the Celtic Clan system has survived as intact as it has with almost all these things still being seen today. A large part of the survival of the Celtic Clan system is the geography of its location. The Celtic people and their way of life have throughout their history faced threats from other groups. But in the Scottish Highlands and the Scottish Islands the attacks of groups like Vikings, Normans, English and French were minimized because the land is barren, rocky and not as fertile as lands to the east. Because of this there was less chance of attack since invaders had little incentive to go there. This left the local Celts in relative peace, allowing them survive, prosper and expand.

But even this does not fully explain the widespread popularity of the Scottish Clan and Celtic Clan system. This can be explained by the Act of Union in 1707. The Act had the effect of bringing together Scotland, England and Wales as one country. The Highlands and the Celtic Clan system came under attack; the Clan leaders were stripped of their “hereditary jurisdiction”; Christian schools were set up in the Highlands and effectively pieces of the Scottish people was suppressed. This lead to immigration out of Scotland, and with this movement the Scottish spread across the world, taking with them the Celtic Clan system.

The Celts who occupied what is today known as Scotland (along with numerous other parts of Europe) are an integral part of Scottish Clans and culture. Among the Celtics and their society the Druids played a vital role as they officiated over religious ceremonies, sacrifices they also acted as judges between individual’s and even tribal disputes. In effect they were the wisest in a tribe or group and acted to whom people came for advice, which they could provide through their learning or knowledge of the gods and beliefs. Although most Druids in Celtic world specialised in a subject of their interest, whether it be medicine, the science as they knew it behind farming and in some cases even entertainment like poetry or song.

Another significant task played out by the Celtic Druids was the keeping of the Celtic calendar. In fact, the calendar is evidence of the strong astrological knowledge held by the Celtic Druids. With many similarities to our own, the calendar of the Celtic Druids had twelve month to follow the cycle of the moon, with every third year having an extra month consisting of thirty days to account for the cycle of the sun. Furthermore the year was divided into two sections, the light and dark half, representing what we now know as winter and summer. The Celtic Druids used the transition between the months and seasons to begin or end planting, moving of animals or even wars and battles.

These responsibilities and tasks required a high level of training, with Druid initiates being required to memorise the laws, rituals, medical knowledge, folk history and “magic formulas” that they would use throughout their lives. This task was even more difficult since the Celtics had no written language and the knowledge was passed on verbally. Although, after the completion of their training Druids were considered at the top of Celtic society, and were exempt from taxes and military service, at one point even being called “ the only class of intellectuals in Gaul” by the Roman Caesar.

With the skills and knowledge and their disposal, and the respect they commanded from the most powerful men of the time, it is easy to see why Celtic society placed such importance on Druids.

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