All hail to the female chiefs

Men and women have long been recognised in Scotland as equals. A good example of this is that female chiefs supply a goodly number of places in the current 135-strong listings of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. They hold exactly the same responsibilities as their male counterparts. Here are some shining examples of female clan chiefs:

Chief of Clan Kincaid, Madam Arabella Kincaid says: 'When I became chief it was almost like being a mother for the first time. I get letters all the time, mainly from the US, and we've had an active clan association for more than 50 years.'

Flora Fraser, Lady Saltoun Chief of Clan Fraser is not only a female Clan Chief but is currently the only female holder of a lordship who also holds a seat in the House of Lords as an elected hereditary peer. Now that's impressive.

To celebrate this and upcoming Mother's Day I have started to put together a list:

1. Clan Elliot : Madam Margaret Elliot of Redheugh
2. Clan Fraser: Rt Hon. The Lady Saltoun
3. Clan Grierson: Sarah Grierson of Lag
4. Clan Hunter: Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterson
5. Clan Kincaid: Madam Arabella Kincaid of Kincaid
6. Clan MacDougall: Morag MacDougall of MacDougall
7. Clan MacKay: The Hon. Elizabeth Fairbairn
8. Clan MacKinnon: Madam Ann MacKinnon of MacKinnon
9. Clan Mar: Margaret of Mar, 31st Countess of Mar
10. Clan Moffat: Madam Jean Moffat of that ilk