CLAN MACPHERSON ASSOCIATION -- A WORLD-WIDE FAMILY

      The Clan Macpherson Association (CMA) is a word-wide family with formal branches in Australia, Canada, England and Wales, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and the United States of America. In addition there are members residing elsewhere in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. However, these branches are only administrative tools to ensure that all of CMA members have an opportunity to meet with each other on a frequent basis.

      CMA was formed in 1947 although many of its founding members had been participating in the activities of the Clan Chattan Association since 1933. Our objects as stated in CMA's constitution are (in abbreviated form) :--
           a. To promote and foster the Clan spirit and corporate life of the Clan at home and abroad; to provide a focal point for expressing Clan sentiment; and to keep Clansmen in touch with one another in all parts of the world.
           b. To promote and encourage the study and preservation of the Clan's history, folklore, literature, music, treasure and traditions.
           c. To acquire and hold lands and buildings in the Badenoch district.
           d. To acquire and hold objects of historical and cultural interest.

Since its establishment the custom has been for the members of CMA to gather in Badenoch each year on the first Saturday of August when the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held to receive reports from the elected officers and other Council members and to deal with Association business. The Council consists of the Chief as Honourary President, past Chairmen and others who have contributed to the Association in a significant way as Honourary Vice-Presidents, and officers who are elected annually -- a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Honourary Secretary, Honourary Treasurer, Registrar, Editor of the Annual (Creag Dhubh) and Webmaster. Each of the formal branches has a similar organisation but the international organisation is paramount.

      The AGM is held on Saturday morning preceded by a Highland Ball and Banquet on the previous evening and followed by participation in the Newtonmore Highland Games on Saturday afternoon, a ceilidh on Saturday night, a church service on Sunday morning followed by various picnics and teas on Sunday afternoon and evening. The final organised event of a Gathering is a hike to a destination of interest to the Clan members. Of course there are many informal events throughout the weekend when cousins and friends socialise.

      Membership in CMA is open to all Macphersons who may spell their name MacPherson, McPherson or some variant of these. In addition it is open to members of allied families and adherents of Cluny Macpherson including those named Archibald, Cattanach, Cluny, Curry, Clark, Carson, Ellis, Gillies, Gillespie, Gow, MacLeish, MacGowan, MacMhuirich, MacVurich, Murdoch, Pearson, Parson, Smith or some variant spelling of those names. Associate membership is also available to interested individuals.

      Membership applications and other information on the subject are available from the Museum staff.