The idea of chiefs and chieftains is not particular to Scotland or the Celts. There are many societies and civilisations around the world that have chiefs and chieftains. The earliest recorded chief in Scotland was Calgacus. He lead the Picts against Julius Agricola in about 80 AD.
A chief in Scotland is the head of a clan and is considered to be the first among equals. This is a semi-hereditary position. The line of chief passes from father to son but in some cases the title chief may pass to another member of the clan who is then elected chief. The chief is also entitled to the undifferenced coat of arms and can have three feathers in his cap. This is all regulated by the court of the Lord Lyons in Scotland.
In some clans the chief was required, on his investiture, to stand on a large stone and give an oath to protect the clan. A chieftain also had to make the same promise but would only put one foot on the stone.
Most chiefs in Scotland sit on the Council of Chiefs, which is body that regulates clan matters.
The title chieftain is a little bit more complicated. It is something that the Lord Lyons tries to avoid using. It is, in a similar way to the title chief, a semi-hereditary title and usually goes to the head of a house (or branch) within the clan. This usually happens when a clan member obtains land in another area or moves away from the main clan area. Additionally, the sons of the chief are also considered to be chieftains. The chieftain (or even cheiftainess) can have his own coat of arms and badge and has two feathers in his cap. Chieftain is also a title that is sometimes given by clan chiefs to officials in the clan or clan society who conduct the day to day matters that concern the running of the clan or to an individual that represent the clan in a particular area.
Page and artwork copywrite Andrew Wallace 1998