Nominees for Highland Clans

 The Scottish Highlands clans have always been the stuff of legend. Dashing and daring, romanticized, Victorian portraits of brave men who came from Gaelic, Celtic, and/or Norse origins, wearing a beautiful, patterned kilt with a handsome face and a long, sharp sword, ready to strike English soldiers who cower in fear, literally running into musket fire. Some are originated Pictish-Scottish clans like MacDonald, some are originally Irish clans from Dal Riada like MacLachlan or Matheson, and some of Norse or Viking origin like Gunn or MacLeod. The rose-red, blushy cheeks, fiery red hair, sparkling, watery blue eyes, and feathered hats make these men look sweet and handsome, but in fact waged awful, bloody civil wars against each other in territories. Using romanticized, Victorian-era paintings by famed 19th-century Scottish painter and artist, R.R. McIan, we will determine these brave men and women, how they fought, and how they became the beautiful clans in popular culture today.


 Most Dashing Clan Nominee: MacBain
 
 Above: A very handsome but dashing MacBain warrior charging into action against English troops, striking fear and terror in the enemy's heart as he prepares to slice them with his deadly sword.

Most Daring Clan Nominee: MacMillan

 Above: The shirtless MacMillan warrior charges at English soldiers with a war face on, preparing to send this Englishmen's tiny little head into orbit and out of Scotland.


 Most Poetic Clan Nominee: MacDonald of Glencoe 
 
 Above: This handsome yet philosophical, sophisticated, and poetic MacDonald man slumps near a large rock engraved in Scots Gaelic, thinking about what the world seems like, and how it never ends.

 Most Warlike Clan Nominee: MacLachlan 
 
 Above: This member of an originally Irish clan descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages, but yet extremely in Scottish garb, this MacLachlan warrior wants to fight the English and nothing else.

 Most Handsome Clan Nominee: MacKinnon 
 
 Above: Yet another Scottish warrior descended from Irish settlers, this MacKinnon, most likely from the Hebrides Islands, seems to look on in the valley, gazing at the sunset.

 Most Womanizing Clan Nominee: Forbes
 
 Above: This Lowland Scottish but Highland-looking warrior thinks of the English as his ancestors but yet now his enemies, as women sigh and look on as he walks through the town.

 Most Fierce: Tie (MacKenzie and MacFarlane)

Above: A Mackenzie warrior scrambles for his weapons as an English skull flies by, hoping to attack.

 Above: An experienced, wise, yet extremely fierce MacFarlane warrior waits to raid an English settlement.