About Us...

A HISTORY OF CLAN DONALD, U.S.A., Inc.  

Great Lakes Region

 In order to introduce you to Clan Donald, U.S.A. within the Great Lakes Region, it is necessary to give you a very brief history of our National organization.  With further interest you may wish to connect with our National Web Page and learn more about the organization in the U.S and Scotland at www.clan-donald-usa.org

 In 1956 the late Lord Macdonald, father of our present High Chief of Clan Donald, Lord Godfrey James Macdonald of Macdonald, appointed Major Reginald Henry Macdonald of Kingsburgh as the first High Commissioner for the United States.  He established a Clan organization in this country and was instrumental in starting the Grandfather Mountain Games and the Clan Donald Games at Ligonier, Pennsylvania.  But it was not until the reorganization of Clan Donald by High Commissioner Ellice McDonald, Jr. in 1976 that the Clan was incorporated in the State of Delaware as Clan Donald, U.S.A., Inc. and the country was divided into Regions. Ellice McDonald founded the national newsletter, By Sea By Land.

 It was Ellice and Rosa McDonald who helped to save the Clan Lands and to establish the Clan Donald Museum on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.  It is for the foresight of our early officers that we have the great Museum of the Highlands and Islands that it is today along with the famous Stables and Cottages.  When Ellice McDonald left office in January 1983, there were 91 Commissioners and approximately 3200 memberships.  This remarkable man is responsible for forging the strong foundation.

 Great Lakes Regional and Michigan State Commissioner, Donald MacD. D. Thurber first led our Region. In Ohio, our first State Commissioner and subsequent Regional Commissioner, was R. Ridgely Sanders of Cincinnati.  Ridge’s wife, Mary created and edited our first Regional newsletter, The Bluebell. Don Herd, a retired lithographer, lent his expertise in the production of The Bluebell and offered articles from time to time until he created Ohio’s clan newsletter, The Crested Thistle. 

 The Clan sets up tents at all the Regional Games and local festivals.  In the late 70s and early 80s the Ohio Scottish Games were held in Wooster on the Wooster College Campus.  It was here that the Annual Picnic was established with the idea from member, Rebecca Lloyd.  A picnic is usually held at the clan tent during  a Games in each state. Dorothy McHenry was our first Great Lakes Genealogist. As the Clan continued to grow, Commissioners and Conveners were added and positions changed hands.  Sadly, many of these members are no longer with us, but they are never forgotten for they helped to establish the great Clan Donald that we have today.

 Our Region encompasses Indiana, Michigan and Ohio under the leadership of our Great Lakes Regional Commissioner, Donne Shepperly.  Clan Donald within Indiana is led by Indiana Commissioner, Roderick A. MacDonald.  Clan Donald in Michigan is led by Michigan Commissioner, Susan Nightingale.  Clan Donald within Ohio is led by Donne (Mrs. Craig) Shepperly and Ohio has two Deputy Commissioners.  The Southern Ohio Area is overseen by Dr. Gregory McDonald and the Northern Area is overseen by Karen MacDonald.  Ohio presently has four Conveners and our Regional Webmaster, Tony Godfrey.  Fran Stuart and Penny Maroldo cover the Northeast Ohio area, Virgil Ron Mast covers the Northwest Ohio area, and Bertha McKechnie covers the Southern Ohio area.  Ohio’s Clan Piper is Michael Henry of Strongsville who is also a founding member of the first U.S. Coast Guard Pipe Band.  Ohio’s clan newsletter, The Crested Thistle is now being published two times per year and is edited by Donne.  Our Regional Newsletter, TheBluebell, is published quarterly and is also edited by Donne.  Susan Nightingale publishes and edits  The Heath Herald twice a year for Michigan members.

    The Clan continues to attend local dinner dances and St. Andrew’s Day and Burns’ Night celebrations throughout the Region as well as Tartan Day events held in April of each year.  Many of our members serve in other Scottish organizations and in Ohio some serve on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Scottish Games and the Ohio Scottish Arts School.  Come out and meet us in Wellington, Ohio, this year for the 31^st Anniversary Ohio Scottish Games, in Indiana for the Ft. Wayne Highland Games and in Michigan for the Detroit Highland Games.  Check out our schedule of events for other Games and locations where we will be represented.