The Clan Lindsay Society
Information on The Clan Lindsay Society
The Clan Lindsay Society was formed in 1897 by a group of family members headed by James Ludovic Lindsay, 26th Earl of Crawford and 9th Earl of Balcarres. Initially the Society was only open to members bearing the surname Lindsay but this has now been relaxed to allow anyone with Lindsay ancestry to join.
The 29th Earl of Crawford and 12th Earl of Balcarres, our current Clan Chief, is President of the Society. His son, Lord Balniel, and Jamie Lindesay-Bethune, the Earl of Lindsay, are both Vice-Presidents. There are currently 21 Members on the Board of Management.
For many years the Society had been searching for a suitable building in which to preserve the Society’s records and publications. In 2017 permission was granted by the Galloway Library Trust to store books and other historical material in the “Lindsay Cupboard” in the Reading Room. This has become a focal point for Lindsay visitors in Scotland.
Members from Australia and USA have visited the Lindsay Cupboard along with many other visitors from the UK. On several occasions over the past few years the Reading Room has been used to host the Society’s AGM, allowing the proceedings to be transmitted round the Globe, via Zoom.
In March 2022 we celebrated the 95th Birthday of Lord Crawford, our Clan Chief, and to mark the occasion the Society presented him with a heraldic pipe banner depicting the ancient Arms of Crawford. These Arms were proudly displayed long ago in the days when Alexander Lindsay fought alongside Wallace and Bruce in the Wars of Scottish Independence. The banner was handcrafted by the ladies of the Galloway Library Craft Club. Many thanks to Elizabeth and Marion. Lord Crawford’s heraldic banner also flew from the Tower on Balcarres Craig that day to mark the occasion.
In 2022, when the American Association of the Clan Lindsay visited Balcarres they wished to pay tribute to the late Countess of Crawford who died in October 2021. They made a generous donation of £400 to the Galloway Library funds in memory of Ruth who had always supported the community. The Colinsburgh Community Trust wish to express our extreme gratitude to the American Clansmen for this kind donation and also to say how much we acknowledge and appreciate the tribute to Ruth that they have made.
Further background information about The Clan Lindsay Society can be found on the Society’s website at www.clanlindsaysociety.co.uk and anyone who has an interest is encouraged to browse the site, especially the “News Page” where a number of posts relating to Balcarres and the Colinsburgh area can be found. There is also detailed information to be found regarding membership of the Society for those with Lindsay ancestry, who may wish to become involved.
Diarmid F Lindsay, Editor
The Clan Lindsay Society
The Lindsay Cupboard
Lindsay Pipe Banner
The Earl of Crawford's Banner
