Siol nan Gaidheal

Siol nan Gaidheal (Scottish Gaelic for "Seed of the Gaels"), was formed as a Scottish nationalist organisation with a focus mainly on Scottish history, heritage and culture, particularly those aspects that are Celtic. The term "Siol", has no direct equivalent in English, and is frequently found in names used for various clans, e.g. the Campbells were "Siol Dhiarmaid" (Dermid's "Siol"), and the MacDonalds "Siol Dhomhnaill" (Donald's Siol). In phrases like these, "siol" is best translated as "offspring" or "House" with regard to clans or noble families i.e. the House of Alpin would be translated as "Siol Ailpín" and this perhaps clarifies the meaning of the name.

General overview

Radical Nationalism in Scotland consists of a mixture of Scottish Nationalist traditions. These traditions have influenced the creation and development of the movement known as Siol nan Gaidheal. The Scottish National Party – a political party which seeks Scottish Independence - is made up from a very different mix of Scottish Nationalist traditions than those that influence Siol nan Gaidheal. Most significantly, Siol nan Gaidheal’s concerns are mainly cultural and social whereas those of the Scottish National Party are political and economic. Siol nan Gaidheal has stated no interest in contesting elections, deeming electoral politics to be the remit of the Scottish National Party. SnG has always declared themselves to be Ultra-Nationalists – Ultra-Nationalist in the sense that the Nationalist Revolution will only be starting when a sovereign Scottish Parliament is set up.

Birth of Siol nan Gaidheal

Siol nan Gaidheal was founded in 1978 as an Ultra-Nationalist reaction to the frustrations of the great devolution debate. The founder of this Siol nan Gaidheal, Tom Moore, had returned to Scotland after 12 years in New York, and had been disappointed after finding what he claimed to be "the Scottish Spirit sadly lacking and the SNP mealy-mouthed". He wanted an organisation whose aim was to inspire nationalism without inhibition or restraint. He believed Scots should be conscious, proud and unashamed of their own identity. This new organisation, founded within the SNP, was to challenge what they believed to be the moribund devolutionist leadership of the SNP and build up the morale of rank and file nationalists shattered after the defeats of 1979 when Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Government won power at Westminster, and rejected any notion of Scottish Home Rule.

The aim of the movement was to inject spirit, emotion and good fun back into the demoralised Nationalist movement. It encompassed a Colour Party of black shirts and kilts, as well as the pipes, drums, flags and the black Saltire banner.

Militant nationalism was on the march: Left-wing radicals in the SNP set up the Republican Socialist 79 Group whose influence enabled Jim Sillars, the ex-Scottish Labour Party leader to join the National Party. Sillars brought with him the old Scottish Labour Party policy of Independence in Europe which provided a new platform for the devolutionist tendency within the Party. Even the old 1320 Club joined in and merged with Siol nan Gaidheal.

At the stormy 1982 Ayr Conference, the Scottish National Party, under the leadership of Gordon Wilson, split and threw out Siol nan Gaidheal, concerned at the negative image being projected by them. There had been reports of rowdy and aggressive behaviour towards SNP stewards at marches, as well as the wearing of paramilitary uniforms, secret drills and access to firearms. S.N.G. became a proscribed organisation to the SNP, tired of factionalism within the party. This status has remained in force to the present day. Prominent radical nationalists including the future SNP leader Alex Salmond were also expelled from the party for membership of the '79 Group'.

The most radical Ultra-Nationalists within Siol nan Gaidheal were concerned enough about the possible destruction of Scotland as a Nation to set up a military wing "Arm nan Gaidheal" (Army of the Gael) to free Scotland by force. Inevitably, "Tartan Terrorism" failed and the first manifestation of Siol nan Gaidheal disintegrated.

econd Manifestation of Siol nan Gaidheal

In 1988, anticipating the upsurge of Scottish Nationalism which led to Jim Sillars' victory for the Scottish National Party in Glasgow’s Govan, Jackie Stokes founded a new nationalist organisation, and took the name of Siol nan Gaidheal from a previous incarnation of the organisation.

This particular manifestation of Siol nan Gaidheal had been launched after several years were spent studying the actions, mistakes, results and deaths of all previous Ultra-Nationalist organisations. There were branches set up all over Scotland, and others established in England and the rest of Europe Fact|date=February 2007.

These branches' activities were strictly controlled. The hierarchy consisted of a twenty two man National Executive Committee but even their decisions were controlled to a certain extent by the National Organiser (Jackie Stokes) who retained power of veto over each and every decision taken.

Working to the blueprint he had drawn up, Stokes, established a SnG Colour Party, this to impress and aid recruitment. Smaller committees were set up to cover Scottish Culture, Education, Security, Research, History, Politics etc. There was also a SnG Women’s Movement in progress.

SnG also set up a group of with long-term knowledge of the Scottish scene, these were employed as a mobile force to tour schools, colleges and universities giving lectures on SnG policy and world view. Their primary task was to recruit the best individuals these establishments had to offer. Their secondary purpose, more controversially, was to investigate the percentage of English students attending each of these establishments in order to add to the research being carried out by others on the proof or otherwise of what was referred to as "The Englishing of Scotland"

Siol nan Gaidheal carried out many campaigns successfully, they promoted the Scottish Gaelic language and to that end, sent questionnaires to practically every school in Scotland asking teachers and headmasters to support the teaching of Gaelic. They also supported the use of Lowland Scots or Lallans as a language that historically has its own value in Scotland.

Siol nan Gaidheal considered Scotland to be a spiritual homeland with a global contribution to make to the development of mankind. The movement draws inspiration from aspects of what has often been termed "Celtic Romanticism" and the ideals of the Scottish Renaissance blended with the determination of Scotland's Celtic-Gaelic warrior ancestors.

Perhaps their most successful but most controversial activity was the collecting of data on those they perceived as being English appointees in top jobs in Scotland. This received wide publicity Fact|date=February 2007. Siol nan Gaidheal's opinion was that it was no accident that these people could arrive in Scotland and be guaranteed a high paying job within days of their arrival, despite there being more than enough equally or higher qualified Scots to fill the jobs.

The new Siol nan Gaidheal continued to grow under Jackie Stokes’ direction, its membership estimated to be at about three hundred in 1990. Many rank and file members of the old S.N.G. re-joined together with young people. The S.N.G. formed new branches and set up committees in addition to the controlling N.E.C. "Siol" also set up an Ard Fheis (Annual General Meeting).

Siol nan Gaidheal undertook to attend and at times organise various Scottish marches, rallies and commemorations. They created the Black Saltire banners, inserting black instead of blue as the background of the Flag of Scotland, the explanation being that Scotland was said to be in mourning for its lost sovereignty and nationhood. They created more banners depicting the Rising Celtic Sun symbol over a new Alba, other flags depicting Celtic Bulls and Boars and many other Celtic-Gaelic designs and wording.

Siol nan Gaidheal organised folk nights, dances and other cultural events at both local and national levels. Charity work was done and donations of money and books etc. were made to Gaelic play groups and schools. Larger donations were sent in support of groups such as the Assynt Crofters in their successful "land war".

It was in the atmosphere of the 1992 General Election campaign that Siol nan Gaidheal held its weekend Ard Fheis. There was a press conference, folk nights, children’s entertainment and a whole series of classes and workshops on Scottish Language, History and Culture.

However, the result of the General Election of 1992 let to the return of a Conservative Government. A vigil was organised outside the Scottish Assembly Building on Calton Hill and briefly an all-party organisation Scotland United was set up to press for Home Rule. A series of mass demonstrations were held, with a vigil being maintained at Calton Hill throughout John Major's 1992-1997 term of office, but the Tory government were unmoved and "Scotland United" faded away. It was in this era that the National Organiser of Siol nan Gaidheal, Jackie Stokes, suffered a heart attack. An attempt to delegate the running of "Siol" was made, but the people appointed were considered unable to do the job fully, and ultimately, Stokes was forced to close the entire organisation down. The demise of Siol nan Gaidheal led to the dispersal of its membership. Some rejoined the Scottish National Party, but most drifted away from the Nationalist scene altogether. The frustration felt by some radical members led them to go and form other organisations such as Scottish Watch and Settler Watch, both dedicated to campaigning against the "Englishing of Scotland", often through violent acts on English homeowners.

Third manifestation of Siol nan Gaidheal

Jackie Stokes re-established Siol nan Gaidheal (the third manifestation) in 1997. He handed over the position of National Organiser to his Second in Command, in July 2000, but continued to assist in the running of the organisation, concentrating mainly on the web site and forum. It was during this period that chapters were set up in the United States of America and in Canada as a focus for the Scottish diaspora in North America. After his death on 24th July 2001, it was his then Second in Command who resumed the task of running Siol nan Gaidheal. However, the projects carried out by SnG have since been scaled down with the website in "Alba" (Scotland) and those in the US and Canada becoming the main focus for SnG members, supporters and other Scottish Nationalists around the world.

In May 2006, SnG held its first Ard Fheis in 14 years, in Dalwhinnie, Scotland.

General views of Siol nan Gaidheal

The Siol nan Gaidheal website sums up its views as follows:

:"The Siol nan Gaidheal organisation supports the revival of the Folkic traditions of Scotland and the Gaelic and Scots languages. The land of Scotland from which we as a people and our culture spring, is central to our vision. Sustainable land use is vital for the future of our country. Land must be reclaimed for the benefit of our people. Siol nan Gaidheal seeks to liberate the Scottish people from the worst excesses of English/British Cultural Imperialism and believes that English people resident in Scotland will integrate into and make a full contribution to the community of Scotland. SnG will dedicate itself to fulfilling our commitments to our country and people, we will thus not stand idly by and watch our country being used, abused or betrayed by enemies both internal and external. We are content to leave party political action to the Scottish National Party and the forth-coming Scottish Parliament. SnG exists to promote, safeguard and stimulate a third Scottish Renaissance which will use the best past traditions of Scotland to forge a new Nation which will be an example to the world."

References

*"The Hollow Drum, Arnold Kemp", ISBN 1-85158-588-5, pp166-172
*"Britain's Secret War, Andrew Murray Scott and Iain Macleay", ISBN 1-85158-313-0, pp 113-131.

External links

* [http://www.siol-nan-gaidheal.org Current Siol nan Gaidheal website]
* [http://www.siol-nan-gaidheal-canada.com/ Siol nan Gaidheal Canada]
* [http://www.siol-nan-gaidheal-usa.com/ Siol nan Gaidheal USA]