About this publication

The Thistle is a publication dedicated to exploring, celebrating and renewing the living spirit of Scottish clanship. More than a record of the past, clanship endures as a network of identity, community and culture — carried forward in stories, loyalties and traditions that connect people across generations and continents.

Our mission is simple: to illuminate the heritage that shapes Scotland, its diaspora and the communities tied to it, and to share ideas, perspectives and stories that make that heritage alive and relevant today. We publish articles, essays, interviews and features that examine culture, history, commerce, crafts and the bonds that sustain communities.

The Thistle is a forum for thought, dialogue and participation. We aim to convene scholars, leaders, artists and curious minds alike, offering a space to explore what it means to belong, to create and to carry tradition into the future.

Whether you are seeking insight into Scotland’s history, inspiration from its living traditions or connections with its global communities, The Thistle provides a platform for engagement, reflection and discovery. Our stories are not just about what was, but about what can be — a heritage lived and shared, today and tomorrow.

Join us in exploring Scotland’s past, present, and future.