In 1997, the only organised Clan Association is the one which operates globally under their Clan Chief and uses the name Carmichael. Historically, Carmichaels living within the territories of Stewart of Appin, Stewart of Galloway, or MacDougall, showed allegiance to the Chief of the appropriate Clan in the district in which they lived. Carmichaels still living within these ancient territories and still owing family allegiance to a Chief resident within that district, can claim to be a sept of that Clan in preference to Carmichael itself. There are very few Carmichaels living under these conditions although the Carmichaels living on Lismore in Appin retain links to Stewart of Appin. Richard Carmichael of Carmichael became Chief of the Carmichaels after many years without a Chief. Sir Iain Moncreiff, Crispen Agnew, and the Lord Lyon have all suggested over the 17 years since, that "...all Carmichaels should show their primary allegiance to Carmichael itself". If in doubt, they would be better advised to show no allegiance whatsoever.