Clan name meet-up

Davidsons get together

There are more Davidsons in the north-east of Scotland than anywhere else in the world.

And now, the official Clan Davidson Association (CDA), including representatives from as far afield as New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, is meeting for the first time in Aberdeen in September.

The clan name covers a wide range of names beyond Davidson – if you are called Davison, Davie, Davis, Dawson, Dean, Deas, Dey, Dow, Dyson, MacDaid, McKeddie or Slorach, you’re considered part of the family.

Its motto is “Sapienter Si Sincere”, which translates as “Wisely if Sincerely” and the clan seat is at Tulloch

“The clan chief will be coming all the way from Auckland”

Castle in Dingwall, which although now a hotel, has a “Davidson Room” packed with historical information.

The CDA has previously met in such diverse locations as Northumberland, Aviemore, Stranraer, Kelso and Elgin, but this is the organisation’s maiden foray to the Granite City.

The event, which takes place from September 28 to 30 at the Doubletree Hilton on the Beach Boulevard, has been organised by Colin Davidson, 63, from Huntly, whose mother Margaret, now 91, originally lived in Turriff.

Yet, as he explained, the story extends a lot further than that.

He said: “My connection with the CDA began when my mum was visiting friends in Huntly a few years ago, where we had lived from 1954 to 1965.

“By total coincidence the CDA was holding its annual gathering there that weekend.

“Finding that out by complete accident, she went to the Gordon Arms Hotel and introduced herself as a Davidson. The rest, as they say, is history.

“We have never gathered in Aberdeen before – it used to be too expensive. But this year, we have managed to arrange it and the clan chief Grant Davidson and his wife Brenda will be coming all the way from Auckland.”

Some of the famous characters from the region include Robert Davidson, pirate, provost and hero of the Battle of Harlaw in 1411; John Davidson, a prominent antiquarian in Inverurie; and former Spitfire ace, Fergus Davidson from Aberdeen.

Nick Hide, the clan’s genealogist, has studied the name for the last 20 years and explained its myriad north-east connections. He said: “Many of our members who are resident in the UK, Europe and further afield have ancestral links to this region.

“I can walk through almost any graveyard in the area and I will find the Davidson name represented, with some of those going way back.

“Traditional clan history tells us the Davidsons – or at least some of them – have their ancestral origins in the central Highlands, such as Badenoch. But the evidence is sketchy. In comparison, the sheer scale of early and later documented data for Davidson families from the north-east tells us this region may well have been an early home of the families of this name.”

Mr Davidson added: “We are always willing to help anybody who is trying to find out more about their family history and connections.”

Anybody interested in the gathering can contact Mr Davidson on 01665 510202 or 07985 073463.

FAMILY CONNECTION: Colin Davidson, with his wife Sonia, has organised the first meeting of Clan Davidson in Aberdeen this September

Margaret Davidson