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Clan MacAlister is honored clan at the 2026 Stone Mountain Highland Games!
We are thrilled to announce that William St. John Somerville McAlester of Loup and Kennox, Chief of the Name and Arms MacAlister will be honored guest at the Stone Mountain Games Oct 16-18 in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
William St John Somerville McAlester of Loup and Kennox was recognized as such by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, in 1991. The Gaelic designation of the chiefs of Clan MacAlister is Mac Iain Duibh in reference to Eoin Dubh, from whom the MacAlisters of Loup claim to descend.
William grew up in an Army family and attended boarding school in the UK. His father was Colonel Charles Godfrey Somerville McAlester MC, OBE. He was the youngest Brigade Commander of WWII; he was also named as a war criminal by the GESTARPO as he was in command of the resistance in Crete.
William grew up on the island of Malta GC. He was awarded his Green Beret in the Royal Marines in 1978 and got his airborne wings shortly after, deployed to many parts of the world and fought in the Falklands war April 2 to 14 June 1982! After serving 17 years in the Royal Marines, he was employed in the Yacht construction industry in the UK for several years. He left that occupation to start his own business specializing in delivering aviation parts across the United Kingdom, Europe and the Gulf States in the Middle East.
Chief William currently resides in the family home in Christchurch, Dorset, England. He is the father of two adult children, Keely and Ranald.
Alisdair Mór
Alisdair Mór, son of Donald of Islay and great-grandson of Somerled, was a 13th-century Gaelic noble whose life is known only through scattered historical records. Records describe Alisdair Mór as "of Antrim" - along the coast of Northeast Ireland, later a Donald stronghold. He was the ancestor of Clan Alasdair (MacAlister) and historical sources note that he was praised in the Irish Annals as "the most distinguished of his name" for his hospitality and military skill. Alisdair Mór and many of his followers were killed in 1299 by Alisdair MacDugall. His descendants were identified by his name and not simply as members of the great Clan Donald. This carried enough weight to eventually form a distinct clan.
Highland Games Calendar
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