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Region 10 Commissioner, CCSNA Trustee, CCEF Director, CCSNA Past President, CCSNA Past Vice-President, Former CCSNA Trustee

Carl Guilford was raised on the Redneck Riviera, i.e., the northwest Florida coast of the Gulf of Mexico, which has recently been remarketed as “The Forgotten Coast.” He comes from pioneer stock on both sides of his family, his Campbell ancestors being among the first white settlers in northern Florida. As a lover of languages and books, he studied Spanish in high school and went on to obtain a BA in English from Berry College in Rome, Georgia, in 1978, and an MA in German from the University of Georgia in 1983.

​ Carl A. Guilford, Jr.

Upon moving to Bakersfield, California, he discovered the local Scottish Society and soon thereafter the CCSNA, which he joined in 1987 (Life Member 1994) and for which he went on to become central California commissioner, state and regional commissioner, and eventually vice president in 2014 and president in 2017. Newly arrived in Bakersfield in 1983, however, he soon discovered that his sainted mother was right: with a BA in English and an MA in German and $1.50, one could get a cup of coffee (NB: the rates have gone up).

With no teaching possibilities immediately available, Carl applied with the Kern County Welfare Department and soon became a social worker in the child protective services division, where he was able to put his English degree to work writing court reports. When he realized that he was going to be a social worker when he grew up, he went back to school and obtained an MSW (Master of Social Work) from California State University, Fresno, which enabled him to finish his career as manager of the county children’s shelter, where there was never a dull moment.

While employed as a social worker, Carl enrolled in the distance learning program of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic College on the Isle of Sleat, to learn Scots Gaelic, calling Scotland once a week in the wee hours of the morning to participate in tutorials with a native speaker and fellow students. He retired from social work in 2014 and currently volunteers for the Dewar Project, transcribing Gaelic stories which were collected in the 1800’s by John Dewar for the Duke of Argyll, and which are now housed in the Argyll Archives at Inveraray Castle.

Carl also continues to serve as CCSNA Region 10 commissioner, a trustee of the CCSNA and a director of the Clan Campbell Education Foundation. He also volunteers to monitor, answer and/or forward the emails that are sent to the CCSNA website by members of the public seeking information on all things Campbell.

 

Join Us!

Clan Campbell Society (N.A.)

Membership benefits include:

– A subscription to our award winning 60 page quarterly magazine, "The Journal"

– Research access to our 250,000 member genealogical database via our Genealogist

– You will receive a vote in the annual elections for members of the Clan Campbell Society (NA) Executive Council

– Special Member pricing on Clan Campbell merchandise

– Discount Member pricing on Clan Campbell Merchandise at St. Kilda USA Shop

– News of Scottish events and Scottish Highland Games Calendar

– Periodic opportunities for Group Travel to Scotland

A subscription to a monthly eNewsletter with color pictures and events information

– Free entry to Cawdor Castle, ancestral home of the Earl Cawdor, during regular open times (with valid membership card)

– Free entry to Inveraray Castle, home of the Duke of Argyll Chief of Clan Campbell, during regular open times (with valid membership card)

Membership is open to all Campbells, Campbell septs, those married to a Campbell or Campbell Sept, those descended from Clan Campbell, and to those interested in learning about the Clan Campbell, Scottish history and culture, and who acknowledge Mac Cailein Mòr as their Clan Chief, as he is the Chief of Clan Campbell, the greatest family in all of Scotland! (We're a "wee bit" biased.)

Remember, those who get the most out of being a member of the Clan Campbell Society... are those who participate. We welcome you as our kinsmen to join us in our many activities.

To become a member, simply complete the online Membership Application.