leanacháin

Leanacháin is a term originating from Scottish Gaelic, often translated as "followers," "dependants," or "dependents." Historically, it referred to individuals who were attached to a clan or a chief, not necessarily by blood relation, but through a form of patronage or service. These followers would provide loyalty and support to the chief in exchange for protection, land, or other forms of sustenance. The relationship was reciprocal and formed a crucial part of the clan system's social and economic structure in the Highlands.

The concept of leanacháin encompassed a wide range of people. It could include tenants who worked the land, artisans who provided their skills, and even soldiers who fought for the clan. Their allegiance was primarily to their immediate superior within the clan hierarchy, ultimately leading up to the chief. This system fostered a strong sense of community and mutual obligation, binding individuals together under the leadership of the clan chief. The term and the social structures it represented were most prominent before the decline of the clan system following events such as the Jacobite uprisings. While the term itself is less commonly used in modern contexts, the historical significance of leanacháin lies in understanding the social dynamics and loyalties that characterized Highland society for centuries.