Alan Craw / Ailean MacRath-MacPharlain. (Alias – Herne’s Magister / Outlandish Knight).

Scottish by birth... (Born – Alan Millar in Falkirk, Scotland) ‘Ailean – Scottish Gaelic’ was born into an upper-middleclass family, the eldest son and eldest grandson. His father's family, is predominantly Scottish Kirk (Protestant Church) on his dad's mum's side (his grandma)... Whereas, on his dad's, dad's (his grand-dad) well that's a different story.
Ailean’s ‘grand-dad’ or Puppa, as he was known to Ailean as a child. Was a Scottish Freemason, as is Ailean’s father. Ailean’s Puppa (Lt. James Millar. Lt. in RAF in WWII) also had a keen interest in the Occult & Esoteric.
Ailean’s Puppa, on a Masonic level was the Right-Worshipful Master of the lodge he was raised in, that is he was the equivalent of the President of the lodge, he had also been raised to the level of a Companion in Royal Arch Freemasonry. Ailean’s Puppa is on the ‘Roll-of-Honours’ list for the lodge in 1954 (Tulliallan Lodge, Lodge St. John, No. 598).
As for Ailean’s dad, he is also a Master Mason, raised in 1969.
For those History buff's interested in Freemasonry.
Lodge St. John was one of the first ever Freemasonry lodges to be set-up in Scotland. With Scottish Masonry being far older than that of English. Lodge St. John Killwinning No.0 was the first Lodge. And was descended from the Order of St. John, which was descendant from the Hospitaler's Order of St. John, which was founded from the remnants of the original Knight's Templar in Scotland.
The Order of St. John is said to be neo-Templar.
Further...
When Ailean was a child. His family background, you could say was a little unstable!!!
His father's family. Was upper middleclass Scottish. Whereas, his mothers family were a working class mining family whom came from the Glasgow area but were originally Irish Catholic in descent.
Thus both sides of Ailean’s family didn't see eye to eye with each other.
In fact both sides of his family have claimed that his parents marriage should have never happened!!!
Anyway... within this turbulent childhood... Ailean’s parent’s family eventually disintegrated and his parents split when he was 8 years old.
Ailean later moved to England, when he was 11 years old, with his mother and stepfather (his current surname ‘Craw’ is the adoption of his step-father's surname via his mother changing it when he was a child)
When Ailean was about 5 years old... he declared to his mum and dad his (natural father) that he wanted to be a Witch when he grew up!!!
(* Amusingly, 2 of Ailean’s family descendants were trialed during the Witchcraft Trials in Scotland in the 1600’s for Witchcraft, notably Jonet (Janet) Millar of the Alloa Witches… and William Craw of Bon’ess, near Grangemouth, Falkirk, Scotland).
Primarily his interests in Witchcraft were originally spurred by a few school kids whom he went to school with name-calling an (whom at the age of 5 would have been seen as old woman) Old Woman, whom was tending her garden... the said kids were name calling her, and cursing her as a Witch. Maybe she was, maybe she wasn't... anyway... from that moment the imagination of a child was awoken!!!
And thus, at the age of 7 years old. Ailean’s Puppa (grand-dad) had organised it for him to be a Page-Boy in the local May Day Children's Gala in the village where he grew up (Kincardine-on-Forth, Fife, Scotland) as a participant in the 'Crowning of the May Queen' at the Galla. (His Dad, no doubt still has the photo's, as he has seen them, and his little sister still pull's his leg on occasion over them, imagine a young 7 year old having to be paraded around the village in an old Rolls Royce dressed in full Highland dress, kilt and all... etc. before being chaperoned to the village green for the ceremony of Crowning the May Queen).
Then when Ailean was about 10 years old... He became interested in horror, the supernatural, and myths and legends surrounding tales of monsters? Anyone remember the 'Monster Fun' annual (book) as a kid?
These childhood fascinations grew and evolved, into a serious interest.
And in his teens, he became interested in Wicca. Ailean spent 4 years in a Wiccan coven where he was initiated to 3rd Degree High Priest... thus becoming disalutioned by the ritual theatrics, He moved over to Traditional Witchcraft which takes a more Shamanistic approach.
He then spent 8 years training in a 'Traditional' Cuveen eventually gaining the rank of ‘Magister’ of the Order, he then founded his own Cuveen, which he has now run for over 6 years.
Ailean MacRath-MacPharlain, is the Editor of ‘The Wytches’ Standard’ magazine, the Official Journal of the BCTW (British Council of Traditional Witchcraft), a magazine dedicated to Traditional Witchcraft, Sorcery, the Cunning Arts and Folk-Magick.
He is also the founder and National Representative of the BCTW. The Magister Ordo or Magister Operis (Master of the Order or Operating (meaning – current) Master) of a Traditional Witchcraft ‘Order/Cuveen’ (Coven) the – ‘Milesian Order of Clanna Gadelus’. And, a ‘Knight’ of the ‘Loyal Arthurian Warband’ and a member of Dragon cL.A.W. (Dragon Coven of the Loyal Arthurian Warband). And a seated ‘Associate Member’ of the ‘Council of British Druid Orders’ where he represents the BCTW. And, is member of the ‘Fellowship of Isis’.
Previous affiliation also include; ex-Regional Co-ordinator (North of England) for the ‘Association of HedgeWitches’. Ex-Founding member of - the ‘Doncaster Pagan Society’, and ‘Editor’ of the UK’s and World’s first ever Pagan music magazine – ‘Cyrkel Spynn’ magazine.
And, a regular for many years, upon the Esoteric/Pagan/Occult lecture and workshops circuit at many different Moots (Pub Gatherings), Conferences, and Camps, etc.
Ailean MacRath-MacPharlain, is author of many previous Esoteric and Occult articles for numerous magazines, and is the author of the forthcoming book on British Traditional Witchcraft, titled – “Wyrm in the Apple’s Core”. Possibly through the publisher ‘Cyrkel Spynn Publications’, with a release date as yet to be confirmed.