The Minnesota Coalition of Scottish Clans (MCSC) has its roots in participation at the (formerly known as) Macalester Scottish Country Fair & Highland Games. In 1975, the first Clan Society to participate in the Macalester Games was Clan Gunn. With nothing but a few maps, some reference books and Gunn paraphernalia, they manned a Clan Information Centre for the purpose of recruiting prospective members into Clan Gunn Society and dispensed information to others interested in their respective Clans. Sitting amongst leather toolers, potters and other craftsmen, Clan Gunn were overwhelmed by the onslaught of persons interested in ‘other’ Clans, their histories and tartans.
The following year they were joined by W. Douglas McDonald and Clan Donald, but were still overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people interested in their Scottish history and culture. For the next few years, they searched for representatives from other Clans to join them, hoping to get enough to stage a Parade of Tartans. By 1982, 6 Clans were participating and at the end of the day plans were made to meet together and work on ideas for Clan participation at the Macalester event.
On December 11, 1982, an organizational meeting was held to lay the groundwork for formation of an organization of all clans participating at Macalester. At the meeting, Bruce MacDonald (Clan Donald) and Dennis Johnson (Clan Gunn) were chosen as temporary Co-Chairmen, and the base for a constitution was laid out. On June 2, 1983, a charter meeting was held at Mounds Park Elementary School in St. Paul attended by Clans Gunn, Donald, MacIntyre, Ross, Campbell, MacLeod, Colquhoun and Donnachaidh with Clans Mackintosh, Sinclair and Stewart absent. At that meeting it was decided to name the group, the MCSC, a constitution was adopted and elections were set for October 1983.
At the October 15, 1983 meeting Dennis Johnson (Clan Gunn) was elected Chairman; Bruce MacDonald (Clan Donald) was elected Vice-Chairman and Lynn Peck (Clan Ross) was elected Secretary. The MCSC logo was soon designed, with the Targe and Claymore being chosen as representative of Clan lifestyle and culture.
Chairman Johnson arranged for the MCSC to become part of the Macalester Games Planning Committee, initiated the Parade of Tartans at Macalester and contacted Clan Societies in search of potential Clan Representatives. This event evolved into the Annual MCSC Ceilidh. Originally donations were asked but no dues were charged. The events attended were the Macalester Games, Highland Dance Competitions and the Scottish Ramble in St. Paul. Over the next few years the membership grew steadily. Dues were initiated and a bank account was opened.
On October 17, 1988, Rod MacRae (Clan MacRae) was elected as the 2nd Chairman (the title was later changed to President). President MacRae had the MCSC incorporated as a non-profit organization, stimulated the growth of Clan participation, purchased gazebo tents for rental at Games and other events, thereby creating an income source for the MCSC. President MacRae also created the Executive Committee and Awards Membership and Publicity Chairs as well as the positions of Field Marshall (parade of Tartans) and Quartermaster (in charge of rental tents). He changed the Clans Reception, held the Friday before the Macalester Games to a Dinner & Ceilidh. The first Dinner/Ceilidh was held on May 4, 1990 at Starring Lake Outdoor Center in Eden Prairie, MN. President MacRae was also a co-creator of the Council of Chiefs, an organization composed of the leadership of all Metro area Scottish groups. He also played a large part in the creation of the Celtic Fest, a new event which included all local Celtic organizations including the Irish, Welsh, Manx and Cornish groups.
On October 19, 1994, Judith Finley (Clan Farquharson) was elected as the 3rd President. Under her term, the MCSC’s growth flourished. She instigated the Wee Bairns Games at Macalester—an event for younger children to participate in. She also arranged for MCSC participation in the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee. She brought a diverse range of entertainment to meetings of the MCSC emphasizing the social aspects of the organizations. The “Targe and Claymore” newsletter was created by Alice Henry in 1995 during President Finley’s term to replace the minutes of meetings which had been mailed to absentee members through 1995.
Among events the MCSC has participated in are the Macalester Scottish Country Fair & Highland Games, the Scottish Ramble at Landmark Center in St. Paul, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival’s Highland Fling weekend, the Celtic Festival, the Duluth Folk Festival, Minnesota Celtic dance competitions, and an Ethnic Weekend at Canterbury Downs. We currently coordinate or participate at the Scottish Ramble, Minnesota Scottish Country Fair & Highland Games (formerly Macalester College Scottish Fair), Highland Fling weekend at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and Tartan Day celebrations.
Over 25 years old, we continue to grow in strength and conviction to celebrate and share our history and culture.
