In the current year it has not been possible to extend the time, as was done formerly. The Editor had all his Clan work completed by mid-December and, thereafter, was involved in a series of visits to hospital which, together with medical and surgical treatment, prevented him from giving attention to personal affairs and, correspondingly, to those of the Clan Association. Reports and amendments to reports continued to be received in Newtonmore as late as February. One account, urgently required for this issue of the Journal and promised in October, was not received until mid-June!

      We submitted our resignation from the editorship to the Clan Council in 1965, giving this lateness in receipt of material as being a difficulty which was increasingly difficult to surmount. We were, however, asked to withdraw our resignation, being promised "better things" and, accordingly, we compromised by agreeing not to resign immediately but to leave our resignation "on the table" to be reconsidered in the light of future events.

      The difficulties of the past year have compelled us, reluctantly, sadly, and after five years of effort, to request the Council to place our resignation before the Annual General Meeting of the Association, in August, in order that a successor may be appointed.

      This has not been done without considerable heart-burning and sadness, for the work of editing-the Clan Journal has been one whose pleasures have been very great indeed, whilst the sense of privilege in being appointed to such a post has been something in which we have taken considerable pride.

      We feel that we cannot leave our chair without expressing our very deep gratitude to those regular -- and punctual -- contributors to the pages of the Journal have made our editorial task so much easier and whose work has added so greatly to the records and the history of Clan Macpherson. In particular, and at the risk of making invidious comparisons, our thanks are due to the Chief, to Pitmain, to "A.F.M." and to John Barton, our Hon. Secretary, whose help and support has been more than generous. No less our thanks are due to Miss Christine

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      Although the point is one of purely minor detail, there is certainly no doubt that "BOT" is used frequently, if not exclusively, by manufacturers of Highland jewellery when producing Clansmen's Crest Badges and there is probably a case to be made in favour of "BOT" as a distinctive word, as opposed to "BUT" which is likely to be confused with the grammatical conjunction "but". However, the fact remains that "BUT" is another variant of the old usage of the word, which in broad Scots means "without", and this particular old spelling has been consistently used in all matriculations of the Arms of Macpherson of Cluny since 1672. There have been five matriculations to date.       The early renderings of Cluny's motto read "Tutch not the Catt but a Glove" and the more modern version, as exemplified by the Green Banner, is "Touch not the Cat but a Glove". The Chief of Clan Mackintosh , on the other hand, employs the spelling "BOT" in his motto, as do a number of Macpherson cadets. Robert John Macpherson of Dalchully, Ewan L. Cheyne-Macpherson, James Grant Macpherson, Ian Kenneth Rivers-Macpherson, Colin Archibald Iver Macpherson of Banchor, and Ian Fyfe Macpherson, all use the motto "Touch not the cat BOT a glove", as assigned in their parchment Letters Patent.

      While it is true that a number of Macpherson armigers use the spelling "BOT" in conjunction with their personal Arms, nonetheless the official and correct rendering of the Chief's motto, as recorded at Lyon Court since 1672, must remain "Touch not the cat BUT a glove"; and this is unquestionably the form the motto should take when we, as followers of Cluny, display his crest "within the strap and buckle" as a badge.

EDITOR'S NOTE. See the most recent extract of Matriculation of Macpherson of Cluny in the 1966 issue of CREAG DHUBH, Vol. 3, No. 2, centre page of journaL "But", meaning "without" is, of course, still current usage in English speech in the old Kingdom of Northumbria, cf. "Ilkla' Moor BAHT I' at".

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      This year we are really able to make a proper beginning in using Gaelic for ordinary, everyday purposes. In the former lessons we have already got a grip on the basic essentials of the language. What we need now is to develop a vocabulary and, at the same time, to begin to use sentences that meet our daily needs.

      Once again, we are not going to bother about the complications of grammar and construction, save perhaps when these must be explained and there is no way of dodging the explanation. There are plenty of books which deal with Gaelic from the scholastic angle, and anyone who really wants to make a serious study of the language must, of course, apply himself to one of these. Our aim, however, in Creag Dhubh is no more than the provision of fundamental working tools for making simple conversation.

      This year, developing and widening our use of the language, we will give some sentences which apply to daily happenings, using the words that we have already learned and introducing some new onesThe best way of using this lesson will be to learn the sentences parrotfashion, use them correspondingly and, having mastered them, we can go ahead very easily to apply our new knowledge to building up fresh sentences and phrases. That, of course, is the way in which we learned to speak when we were small children -- and if we were able to learn that way when we were young, we ought to be able to learn much more and quicker, using the same methods now that we are grown-up. Let's hope so, anyway!

      We do not intend to repeat anything that has been written already in this series -- this for reasons of space. We will, however, use words that have already been learned and, at the same time, we will introduce new words, new phrases and also explanations of some bits of Gaelic pronunciation which may, at first sight, appear to be strange or odd -- but which we hope to show as being quite logical and easy to follow.

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make their letter 'D' very soft, so that it sounds almost like a 'J'. Listen, for instance, to a southern Englishman saying the word "dew". As often as not he will pronounce it quite clearly as "jew". Listen to him, too, when he slurs the phrase, "Do you . . ." He will assuredly pronounce this as 'joo". In Gaelic we use the letter in exactly the same sort of way.

[Note -- that pronunciation is true only when 'D' is followed by 'e' or 'i' -- the 'narrow vowels'; when 'D' is folllowed by 'a', 'o'. or 'u'(the broad vowels) , the hard 'D' is used.]

      The Gael has difficulty in using the two consonants R and T, one after the other. They make a harsh sound, and this is something alien to the soft speech of Gaelic. When RT comes into a word, we insert an 'SH' sound in between. (Ceart, therefore, is pronounced as 'kyarsht').

      Similarly, the Gael finds it difficult to put two hard consonants together and, in pronouncing them, he tends to slide in a vowel sound just to soften it off. That is why Glen Banchor, behind Newtonmore, is pronounced Ban-a-chor, in three distinct syllables. It is this habit which leads to what people describe as the 'rolled R' in Lowland Scots speech. The R is not really being rolled -- it is merely being coupled with a small, intrusive extra vowel sound. [This extra vowel is often termed a 'ghost' vowel.] This is one of the many links which still exist between Lallans and Gaelic.

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drasda? 5. Tha gu dearbh! 6. Duin an dorus. 7. Fosgail an uinneag. 8. Fag e far a bheil e. 9. Dhuisg mi moch 's a' mhaduinn. 10. Nach eil sibh deas gus a nise?

English to Gaelic --       1. The day is bright. 2. Put the flowers on the table. 3. There are many flowers in the garden. 4. Is it wet now? 5. It certainly is (lit: it is certainly). 6. Shut the door. 7. Open the window. 8. Leave it where it is. 9. 1 woke early in the morning. 10. Aren't you ready yet? (fit: Are not you ready till now?).

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      The Arms of Francis Cameron Macpherson were matriculated in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland (Vol. 29, p. 44) on the 14th October, 1930. These Arms would, of course, normally have been superseded by the Chiefly Achievement after his succession.

      The Arms matriculated were the plain Cluny Arms viz., the galley, the hand holding the dagger and the cross-crosslet. However the shield was "differenced" by a gold border surrounding it, and this border indicated that the bearer of the Arms was a Cadet of Cluny -- i.e., related to the Cluny family.

Francis Cameron was the eldest son of Captain Duncan Macpherson, R.N., of Westlake, who was grandson to Duncan Macpherson of Cluny, the 19th Chief of Macpherson. He was declared Tanistair by Letters Patent under the seal of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms, on 14th February, 1957. He became Chief by succession towards the close of 1965 and died, sadly regretted by all his Clan, on New Year's Day, 1966.

      Lord Drumalbyn matriculated Arms in the Lyon Register on the 14th January, 1965 (Vol. 43, p. 13), and his Arms are a "differenced" version of those granted to his uncle, Lord Strathcarron of Banchor, on the 1st October, 1935.

      The shield is divided horizontally, gold and blue, with the components of the Cluny Arms (the galley, the red hand and dagger and the cross-crosslet) as the principal charges. A chequered band of blue and silver is placed across the centre of the shield. This "checkered

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fess" is the central charge in the Arms of Stewart and it here suggests Lord Drumalbyn's Stewart connection, for his paternal grandmother was a Stewart. Indeed, Lord Drumalbyn, his four brothers and his two sisters, all have "Stewart" in their names -- as do their own children. Each silver square in the "fess" is charged with an ermine spot and the shield is surrounded by a silver border to "difference"

      Lord Drumalbyn's Arms from those of Lord Strathcarron. A Peer of the Realm is entitled to "supporters" to his Arms. Those of Lord Drumalbyn are a Cameron Highlander on the dexter side and an Ayrshire bull on the sinister side. The Cameron Highlander commemorates his service as an officer in the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders during World War II. The Ayrshire bull has a double significance. Firstly, Dumfries-shire, which Lord Drumalbyn represented in Parliament for eighteen years as (Niall Macpherson, M.P.) is largely a dairying county in which Ayrshire cattle predominate. Secondly, his maternal grandfather, a Cameron, came from Ayrshire.

      The motto is the Gaelic translation of the opening words of the 121st Psalm, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills."

      Lord Drumalbyn was the first Honorary Secretary of the Association and, later, he was Chairman from 1951 to 1954, in which latter year his outstanding service to the Clan and to the Association was recognised by his election to be an Honorary Vice-President.

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Davidsons of Invernahavon -- which is pronounced 'Invernaha'on' -- near Newtonmore. It is certain that Clann Dhai, the Davidsons, formed a part of the Old Clan Chattan.

      Many years ago, when I was young, I was shown the traditional site where, on the south side of the present road between Newtonmore and Laggan, about two miles from the former township, my ancestor and the remainder of the Clan had eaten their porridge (brose) after the battle. This is one of those trivial traditions, often with a strong basis of fact behind them, which linger on strangely through the centuries.

      The period of Alexander I is definitely fixed by documentary evidence, still extant amongst the Mackintosh writs. A Mackintosh 'Instrument of Redemption' dated 20th August, 1595, and covering the years 1450-1480 was made by Lachlan Mackintosh of Dunachton "of the third of the half-davoch lands of Schafin on which he wadset at the Isle of Moy on the 27th September 1592 for 300 merks to Donald Dow M'Thomas M'Ane M'Alistair in Pitmain of Badenoch". This Donald Dow is correctly given in Sir Aeneas' genealogy as being the fourth son of Thomas, son of John, son of Alexander.

      The time of Alexander I, of his family contemporaries and of the three subsequent generations was one of great numerical expansion in this Second Branch of the Clan. Many of our notable families spring from Alexander I, and these will be described later.

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of the Invertromie family and his fourth son, Donald Dow (or Dubh) was ancestor of the Pitch-urn family as well as of those of Coronach, Pitgowan now Balgowan and Tirfodun families. These, too, will be discussed subsequently in this account.

      General Wade built a "King's House" beside St. George's Bridge, to serve as a staging-post for troops marching between the barracks at Ruthven-in-Badenoch and the garrison at Fort Augustus. It is probable that this building was erected on the site of the old Macpherson homestead. Certain it is that Prince Charles Edward stayed here, or in the immediate vicinity, on his march southwards. Here, too, the Chevalier Johnstone found shelter after his escape from the aftermath of Culloden -- as he tells in his manuscript memoirs which are treasured in the Clan Museum.

      The buildings at Garvamore are now the property of the British Aluminium Company, who own the major part of upper Strathspey along the road leading to the Corrieyarrick Pass. They were occupied until recently by a shepherd and his family, but they have since been taken out of occupation and evacuated by the owning company who have also, in the past few months, evacuated the old farmstead of Drunmin, some miles higher up the strath.

      The British Aluminium Company offered to give the buildings at Garvamore to the Clan Macpherson Association, and it would have been a most encouraging thing for the Clan to have owned a place which holds such long and historic memories. Unfortunately, however, a condition of the proposed gift was that the house should not be put to use as a hostel for people walking the Corrieyarrick -- which was, of course, its original purpose when built by Wade. Accordingly the offer had to be refused, though with the greatest regret and not until after much discussion. It was considered, though, that its use as a hostel would be the only way in which its maintenance could be afforded by the Association.

      The last few years have seen sad changes at Garva. Broken windows allow the winter storms to penetrate the building, whilst stone slats have begun to peel from the roof. The old box-beds have been torn from the rooms by the present owners and have been taken away to Lochaber. One fears that it may not be long before this ancient "King's House" will fall into complete ruin although, even now, it would not require a vast expenditure to make it weatherproof for subsequent generations.

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      Thomas II appears in the Gordon Rental of 1603 and there are references to him in the Loyal Dissuasive of Sir Aeneas Macpherson. He signed the great Clan Chattan Bond at Petty on 10th April, 1609. He took part with the Clan in the wars of Montrose's annus mirabilis and fought at the battle of Tippermuir, 1st September, 1644.

      After the fall of Montrose, Thomas was cited by the Synod of Moray at Forres on 12th January, 1648. With him were compeared more of the Pitmain family, Biallid Mor, William of Pitchryne and others. All were accused and all were ordered, "being found to have joined in bloody fights are ordained Sunday next to make their appearance in sackcloth in the Kirk of Calder". Such penances. were inflicted even on the great noblemen of the time, for the old Scots Law was no respecter of persons.

      Thomas II was a great character and he lived to a great age. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Alexander III and 7th of Pitmain, who married a daughter of Lachlan Mackintosh of Kyllachie.

Lachlan I and 8th of Pitmain -- The Chiefship of Clan Chattan
      Lachlan I and 8th of Pitmain was the son of Alexander III and succeeded his father. He married a daughter of Donald Macpherson of Ballachcroan. Lachlan, together with John Macpherson of Invereshie, supported his Chief Andrew of Cluny, in obtaining from Mackintosh, Chief of Torcastle, a document which holds an important place in our Clan history.

      Mackintosh sought to recover lands which he claimed in Glen Lui and Loch Arkaig and which were then in the possession of the Camerons. He accepted the assistance of the Macphersons who, before engaging themselves, required him to admit in writing that they came with him of their own free will entirely. This they did as a precaution against a possible assumption by the Mackintosh Chiefs that the Macphersons, by joining with him, thereby acknowledged him to be Chief of the Clan Chattan as opposed to being no more than Captain of the confederacy. This document still exists and is valuable evidence in support of the Macpherson claim that the Chiefship of Clan Chattan lies with Cluny as direct male representative of the Old Clan Chattan.

      Lachlan I died in November, 1668.

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subject to the feudal rights of the feudal superior who, in Badenoch, was the Marquis of Huntly, the actual owner of the land. Indeed, even the Chief of the Clan, Cluny himself, neither owned nor had heritable rights in the Cluny lands in Badenoch until 16th June, 1680. On that date, after years of attempts, Cluny was able to effect a land transfer with Huntly, obtaining Cluny in exchange for his property of Grange in Banff. Thus it was only in 1680 that Cluny became, for the first time, truly "of Cluny" -- a mere 65 years before the estate was forfeited after Culloden.

       In 1744, Admiral Anson came back to Britain after his great voyage of circumnavigation which had taken him three years to complete. He brought with him an enormous amount of bullion which was valued, in the currency of the period, at £500,000. Most of this was captured from the Spanish treasure-ship Nuestra Senora de Covadonga, which he had taken between Mexico and the Philippines. This booty he added to a store which he had seized some while before, when he had attacked Paita, the port of Lima in Peru.

      There was a considerable amount of gold amongst the treasure that Anson brought home, but the bulk of it was Spanish-American silver coin and this was sent to the Mint to be converted into British coin. It was then decided that the name "Lima" should be placed beneath the King's image as a 'provenance-mark' and to commemorate Anson's exploits.

      The full description of the shilling is:
           Obverse. King's head facing left with LIMA below. GEORGE TV 11 DEI GRATIA.
           Reverse. Four Shields of England and Scotland; France; Ireland; Hanover (two leopards passant-gardant of Brunswick, lion rampant of Luneburg and white horse of Hanover; the Imperial Crown of Charlemagne on an inescutcheon of pretence). The Inscription is M.B.F.ET H.REX F.D.B. ET L.D.S.R.I.A.T. ET E. (King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Luneburg, Arch-treasurer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire).

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      William's life was marked by tragedy, for three of his sons were killed at the Battle of Waterloo, in 1815. He was, however, succeeded in Strone by one surviving son, James. This son was born in 1766, probably in Glen Gynack. He did not continue long in Strone, but moved to the joint holdings of Culfern and Kerrow in the parish of Edinkillie, where he was an Elder of the Church of Scotland. He died at Kerrow on 20th May, 1833, and his remains were brought to Kingussie where they were interred in the old cemetery of St. Columba. His headstone, raised by his sons, Angus and Donald, records also his wife, Elspeth, who died at Kerrow, and three sons. These were Andrew (died at Perth, July 1808, aged 20); John (died at Strone, February 1922, aged 19); and Samuel (died in Yaira, East Zora, Ontario, Upper Canada, in October 1839, aged 25).

      On James' death, his son Donald inherited Kerrow. He moved to the Lowlands and, for a while, farmed between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Latterly he gave up farming and went to live in Edinburgh where, it is believed, some of his descendents still survive. A great-grandson of Donald was the Reverend Alexander Macpherson, Minister at Greenock.

      There were two sons of this marriage. The elder, Duncan, was born probably in 1795. The younger, Andrew, was born in 1788 and died at Perth in 1808 as is recorded on his father's tombstone, mentioned above.

      Duncan, the elder son, emigrated to Canada in the company of his maternal uncle, Donald Roy, in the year 1822. He died at South Lancaster, Ontario, in 1853. His son, John Angus, married Anne Cameron, by whom he had four children, Alberta, John, Edith and Mabel. Alberta married John Costello, of New York, and was the genealogist who prepared the comprehensive account of her pedigree which is held in the Clan House.

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      The marriage of James and Elspeth resulted in seven children, five sons and two daughters, of whom the eldest was John who died at the age of 19, in 1822, who is commemorated on his father's headstone in Kingussie. The second son, Angus, married and had children - five sons and two daughters. He was born in 1805 and died in 1848. The third child (elder daughter) was Lilias, born in 1806, married Alexander Rose and, with him, emigrated to Canada in 1834. She died at Zora, Ontario, on 18th December, 1899.

      The fourth child (third son) was Donald (1809-1873) who inherited his father's holding and migrated southwards to the Lowlands as related above.

      The fifth child (second daughter) was Barbara, who was born in 1813. She married Alexander Wood, from Edinkillie, who was a graduate of Edinburgh University and a Surveyor by profession. The two families of Rose and Wood sailed together from Cromarty on 1st May, 1834, and landed in Montreal after a crossing which took eleven weeks. They spent some while with their maternal aunt, Lilias Macpherson (Mrs. Alexander Macpherson 'Phoness') at Lancaster, Glengarry County, before deciding to move further Westwards. The Wood family settled at Woodstock, Ontario, where both Barbara and her husband died and were buried, the former in 1863 and the latter in 1877. They have many descendents who, for the most part, live in Chicago, Illinois.

      The last two children of James and Elspeth were both sons. Samuel, born in 1814, also emigrated to Canada, died at Zora, Ontario, in 1839 and is commemorated on his father's headstone in Kingussie. The seventh son of this marriage was Alexander, who became a businessman in Edinburgh.

      Account compiled from rough notes left with the Editor by Captain James Macdonald, the late Curator of the Clan Museum.

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      After his arrival, John MacPherson made his first home in Curacao, N.W.I., where he married Mercedes Jugo, daughter of Don Diego Jugo y del Pulgas. Shortly after his marriage he travelled to the mainland of South America, joining the ranks of the British Legion, serving under the general command of Simon Bolivar, 'The Liberator'. He rose to the rank of colonel, was present at several of the major engagements of the Venezuelan Army of Liberation and was wounded during the naval battle of Maracaibo.

      When Venezuela's freedom had been attained, Colonel MacPherson retired from the army and was appointed Civil Governor of the Guajira. Department, which lies in the present Zulia State on the border with Colombia. Ill-health, however, compelled him to resign his governorship and he retired on an annuity granted by the Venezuelan Government.

      Colonel MacPherson had one son, who was named after his father, Juan -- this being the Spanish equivalent of John. His two daughters, Francisca and Mercedes both died unmarried.

      Colonel Juan MacPherson married Julia Ramirez, daughter of Don Gabriel Ramirez y Almarza and his wife, Manuela Rus, who was a daughter of Don Jose Domingo Rus, Oidor of His Spanish Majesty in the Province of Venezuela during colonial times.

      There were seven children in the family of Colonel Juan MacPherson and his wife, Julia -- five daughters and two sons.

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interpreter, she maintained a correspondence with Donald MacPherson who, during the 1880s, was a Scottish Postmaster in the town of Dunkirk. Part of their correspondence has survived and it is in the possession of Mrs. Thorogood, a descendent of Colonel Juan. (It is hoped that a note regarding these letters may be included in a future issue of Creag Dhubh -- EDITOR.)

      The second daughter, Ana Julia, took the veil and entered a cloister in La Habana, Cuba, where she died.

      The third daughter, Cora MacPherson, married Miguel M. Capriles, son of Joseph Capriles and his wife, Elizabeth Ricardo, both from Curacao, N.W.I. Elizabeth was a second-cousin of David Ricardo, the economist, whose works were edited by Piero Sraffa, in 1962, for the Royal Economics Society. Cora's marriage to Miguel Capriles took place on 6th October, 1881. They had three sons and five daughters, details of whom follow later in this account, in section IV.

      The fourth daughter, Mercedes MacPherson, married Jaime Pocaterra. Their daughter, also named Mercedes, is now a widow and lives in Valencia, Venezuela. Their son, Jose Rafael Pocaterra, entered politics and, during his career, became Minister of Education, Minister of Labour and Governor of Carabobo State. Having transferred to the Diplomatic Service in his later years, he was appointed Ambassador to the Court of St. James, to Moscow and, finally, to Washington. He was a well-known writer in Spanish and left several short stories and political novels.

      The fifth daughter in this family was Adela MacPherson, who married Martin Gornes. One of their children, Martin Jose Gornes, turned to cultural investigation and research. Among his achievements was the establishment of an Indian Museum and the writing of several educational books, The History of Tobacco in Venezuela, Asian Blood in America, etc. His activities earned him a decoration from the Government of Venezuela. He is also remembered in the family as having always taken great pride in his Macpherson ancestry. He married and had issue, and his son, Martin Manuel Gornes, is the founder of a company which provides security and safety services in the country.

      Only one of the three sons reached maturity. Of his two brothers, Juan Jose died unmarried in 1908 and a younger brother, Julio, died shortly before when still a young boy.

      Miguel Angel Capriles, the only surviving son, married a distant cousin, Adelaida Ayala, on 28th January, 1904. Their family consisted of fourteen children.

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      One of this large family is Miguel Angel Capriles, Jr, born on 28th February, 1915, who became the publisher of several leading magazines and newspapers in Venezuela.

      A younger brother is Carlos Alberto Capriles, who is known to a few intimates as Carlos Capriles McPherson. He holds a degree in archaeology from the Sorbonne and is presently in Maracaibo, a city in Zulia State, where he helps his brother, Miguel Angel, in the establishment of yet another newspaper. (NOTE. This gentleman visited Clan House, some years ago, and applied for Membership of the Association The Clan Council is anxious to regain touch with him in order that his membership may be completed and assured.-- EDITOR.)

      Amongst the five daughters of Cora McPherson and Miguel Capriles, two did not marry. Elvira is now an invalid and Elizabeth died in 1904.

      The eldest daughter to have issue was Julia Teresa Capriles. She married Juan Leefmans in 1924. Their family is composed of two daughters, Cora and Jeannette. Cora married Jose A. Galavia and has a family of five sons. Jeannette, the younger, married Hely Jose Galavia, a cousin of her brother-in-law. In this family are one son and two daughters.

      Olga Jacinta Capriles was the second daughter with issue. She married her cousin, Oswaldo Capriles. Her husband was the son of Benjamin Capriles, brother of Miguel M. Capriles (the husband of Cora McPherson -- see above) and his wife, Simona Malpica, who was descended from the Spanish Marquises of Malpica. There were two daughters and one son to this marriage. Of the daughters, the elder, Elizabeth, married (i) Antonio Echeverria, by whom she had two sons, and as a widow she married (ii) Miguel Rivera by whom she had one son and three daughters. Maria Capriles, younger sister of Elizabeth, married Paul Baptista and has three sons and one daughter.

      The only son of Olga Capriles is the writer of this article. He was named after his father, Oswaldo. He married Ana Margarita Hoffmann in 1953. She is the daughter of Ernesto Martin Hoffmann, from Hamburg, in Germany, and his wife, Ana Teresa Gonzalez. There are three sons of this marriage, Oswaldo, J. Fernando and Luis Alejandro. The single daughter of the family is named Soledad.

      The third daughter with issue was Bertha Capriles, who married Temistocles Lopez in 1921. Their eldest son, Temistocles, studied medicine in Spain and, after some while spent in postgraduate work in Germany, returned to Venezuela where he now is in practice. He and his two brothers, Alfredo and Alejandro, are all married and have children.

      Bertha Capriles had one daughter, Lucy, who married Philip Alfred Thorogood. She and her husband both visited Newtonmore, some years ago, and had the pleasure of a long conversation with the Chevr. Macpherson in the Clan House Office and at Dunmore. They have one son, Philip William Thorogood, who is at present completing his education in the United States of America.

[Did anyone else note that Colonel Juan Macpherson had two sons whose fate was not mentioned in subsequent discussion?]

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      The '-ton' in the name of Newton is equivalent to the Gaelic baile and in this case does not imply a 'town' but refers to a farm-steading with its accompanying house. Nobody knows when our 'ton' actually was new. It was certainly so well before the eighteenth century, probably before the seventeenth and, possibly, it may even date as far back as 1550. William Marshall, in his Historic Scenes in Perthshire, plumps for the seventeenth century and states that it was originally the seat of the proprietors of the barony of Blairgowrie. We ourselves, however, believe that the house, or its predecessor on the same site, was of a much earlier date. This belief is based on the knowledge that it was at one time the property of the Abbey of Scone and was then, presumably, inhabited by the lay brothers of the Abbey, as were Coupar-Grange and Keithick which stand in our neighbourhood.*

      No doubt the house, like Topsy, "growed". Originally it would have been in the form of a peel tower, and was a strong-place built with the intention of providing security for local inhabitants from the raids of wild Highlanders marauding from Glen Shee and Strath Ardle.

      The old monks had a way of selecting the best sites for their farms, and our home is no exception to the rule. We are well protected from the northerly gales. The house faces South-East and stands at a height of 350-feet above sea-level on what my father used to call "the last roll of the Grampians". We have the whole width of Strathmore and the Sidlaws in view, from Dunsinane to Newtyle -- a very fine panorama.

      We know for certain that a family of Drummonds, a branch of the Druramonds of Stobhall, lived here about the middle of the seventeenth century. George Drummond, who was six times Lord Provost of Edinburgh, was born here in 1687. We also know that the Drummond family owned the barony more than a hundred years before that date, for the records tell of another and earlier George Drummond who, together with his son, was rash enough to play bowls 'in ye hie mercatgait behynd ye Kirk of Blair' (perhaps on the Sabbath Day). The two were 'set upon and crewally slayne'. Two of the murderers were subsequently hanged and two suffered the punishment of Man-rent -- the last instance recorded in Scottish history -- which meant that they became vassals of the Duke of Perth, head of the House of Drummond.

________

*A party of 36 school-children, aged about twelve, came here one day "to learn history " I told them about the monks, and asked "Who do you think was on the (Scottish) throne at that time?" After a long pause, one piped up "Victoria." it did not surprise them to learn that I was born in that reign. Presumably they thought me to be 400 years old -- or is there a flaw in this logic?

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Yet a further penalty was imposed, for the son of one of the murderers was ordered to wed the daughter of the murdered man and to do it without tocher (dowry). This, however, came to nothing as I shall relate further on. Was it a case of "Muckle-mou'd Meg", I wonder?

      Both Cromwell and Montrose did their best to burn the Castle. I have never been able to understand why both of them should have been so unpleasant unless, of course, the inhabitants had changed their political allegiance; for Montrose's attempt was made during his annus mirabilis of 1645. Some people consider that they were successful to the extent of demolishing a part of the edifice which used to stand some thirty yards to the south-west of the present house. I myself am not entirely convinced of this, and am of opinion that anything which stood on that site was no more than a range of out-buildings. My present hope is that Cluny will not provide the destruction in which these great men were unsuccessful. Electrical fittings are not one hundred per cent safe, especially in very old houses. However, I fear that I am not as hardy as were my ancestors and could not put up with the more primitive -- albeit safer -- forms of lighting and heating which they employed.

      Returning to the history of the place -- the Drummonds were eventually succeeded by the Grahams. That very famous man, Thomas Graham of Balgowan, later to be ennobled as Lord Lynedoch, owned the property, and some say that he was actually born here. Others maintain that he merely spent some of his early years at Newton. What is quite certain is that James "Ossian" Macpherson was his tutor for some time, either at Newton or at Balgowan. Delavoye's Life of Lord Lynedoch quotes Thomas Graham senior as writing of James as "a modest young Man who is a Master of Greek and Latin".

      It was to James that Sir Thomas eventually sold the property. He himself survived the Peninsula and died in his nineties, hailed as The Hero of Barossa, at his chief property of Balgowan.

      My own forbear came into the picture in 1788, for James had actually been acting on his behalf when he bought the estate of Blairgowrie which, at that time, included farms as far to the north as the Bridge of Cally. Alas! Law-suits soon reduced the property considerably, and Newton came down in the scale, for Colonel Allan built himself another house in order to be nearer the fishing and, for a time, Newton was occupied by his factor. Later, and for a longer time, it was occupied by a farmer.

       It was my grandfather [Alan (1818-1891)] who, in 1890 or thereabouts, added a wing to the old house and made it available for married sons coming home on leave. This was how, luckily for me, I was able to spend part of my boyhood days here. My father carried out other improvements in his turn, and his son has made a few alterations, so that we no longer "walk about with torches, 'cause there's no electric light" (to quote from somebody's verse).

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      Two ghosts are reputed to haunt the house. The first is known as 'The Green Lady'. She was a Drummond who, apparently, fell in love with a young man named Ronald, who did not reciprocate. What was to be done? Ronald, she decided, might be bewitched? And bewitched he duly was, for the 'nurse of ninety years' persuaded the young lady to sit all night on 'The Corbie Stane' in the River Ericht, with her eyes 'steekit', assuring her that this would induce the fairies to do something about it -- Gheibh mi fhathast oigear grinn!

      Sure enough, when she 'ope'd her steekit e'en' she was 'dinkit oot frae heid tae heel i' the witchin' claith o' green'. Ronald was completely bowled over. But, alas, the poor lass had contracted "a sair hoast" as a result of her night's vigil and she did not long survive. She is said to appear on Hallowe'en at the top of the staircase.

      Our second ghost harks back to the Drummond murder of which I have already told. She also is a lady, and my sister has a strange story to tell of her. A visitor, who was unaware of the story, declared that he could not get into the window recess because of the old woman 'holding a red rag'. Now tradition maintains that when the son of the murderer came to fulfil his order to marry his victim's daughter, the widow of the slain Drummond waited at the window which overlooks the old front door. In her hand she held the bloodstained shirt of her husband. When the young suitor arrived, she flung the bluidy sark at his feet, declaring that there should be no marriage. Thus history bears out in detail the circumstances of the apparition which our visitor saw.

      I shall end by repeating my invitation of last year. Newton was originally built to repel the incursions of such wild folk as the Macphersons. For the past 170 years its role has been very different and it now stands to extend a warm welcome to any of the Clan who come to visit it. Please, however, let me have some advance notice of your arrival -- either by postcard or by telephone -- so that I may be sure to be on hand to greet you.

Beannachd leibh!

EDITOR'S POSTSCRIPT. When, last year, the Chief wrote of himself in Creag Dhubh he alleged that he irritated his friends by writing doggerel verse. That's as may be! Some of his verses are certainly ribald and some are delightfully and unashamedly doggerel. Still more are charming and of a very high and deep feeling -- none more so than those in which he writes of his family and his home. It is hard to think of anything less irritating than Cluny's verses!

      All Macphersons will welcome another collection of verse which refers in its title to one of the tales which the Chief has told about Newton of Blairgowrie. "The Green Lady" anthology is written by "A Laird" and by others. It is obtainable from the Blairgowrie Advertiser Office, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, at a price of 10s. 6d. post free, and all profits from its sale have been promised to the Museum Fund.

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      We fell into conversation and he told me that his name was Macpherson, adding proudly, "A name well-known in history". I murmured that it was indeed well-known -- though all thought about Cluny and his famous Cage had deserted me, and I could think only of the verses in The Bon Gaultier Ballads about Macpherson's feud with Clan Mactavish; which I had the discretion not to mention.

      We walked together until we came to the hill, near the top of which my mother was sitting. She looked quite horror-stricken to see my odd-looking companion, whom she really mistook, at first sight, for a tramp. His voice at once dispelled this illusion. It was quite unmistakably that of a gentleman, and there was an attractive old-world courtesy in his manner. He walked along the road with us until it was time for him to turn up the hillside road which led to the cottage in which he had taken rooms.

      He was a geologist, though this was not his profession for he told us that most of his life had been spent as an engineer in South America. Geology, he explained, was his hobby and one that gave him great delight. It was in order to pursue it that he had returned to the Highlands. He told us that he had a son, married and living in England, of whom he saw little. He struck us as being a very lonely person.

      We became so friendly that we asked him several times to tea at Kylnadrochet Lodge, by Bridge of Avon, which we were at that time renting from the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, on whose Moor of the Lecht my father was the shooting tenant. Old William Macpherson proved to be an enthusiastic bridge-player and, as there were not many bridge players in the strath, he thoroughly enjoyed his afternoons with us.

      William Macpherson was a tall man, well set up and with a firm, erect carriage. He was, I need hardly add, an indefatigable walker. He wore a short, white beard with a fresh complexion and bright blue eyes that glowed with pride when he spoke of his Clan -- and which shone with quite another light when mention was made of certain others!

      Only once did I find him in anything but the most amiable mood. He was a regular churchgoer and, on one Sunday morning, he refused my proffered hand when I went to greet him, "No!" he declared, "not

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in the kirkyard!" He said it so sternly and I was so taken aback that I never asked him whether it was from religious principles or from superstitious beliefs that he shrank from shaking hands in a churchyard.

      He never told me from which branch of the Clan he sprang -- or, if he did, I have forgotten it. All this happened long ago, as my father, Sir William Tomasson, died in 1922 and we did not again come up to Banffshire.

      Shortly before we left Bridge of Avon, William Macpherson came to present me with some amethysts and fluorspar, for me to have cut and polished for the handles of tea-knives. Not that I needed such a reminder. He still stands out in my memory as a fine specimen of a Highlander of days that have long gone by.

The Editor will he very grateful for any information which may help to identify the William Macpherson of whom Miss Tomasson writes with such affectionate memory. He will be grateful, too, for notes regarding the strange refusal to shake hands in the churchyard on the Sabbath.

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and they cannot possibly travel with full wardrobes! For men, the kilt is recommended -- but it is by no means essential, and you will find almost as many trousered men as are wearing the kilt. The style of dress varies, too, completely according to individual choice. A good few men con-Ling from Scotland itself, wear evening dress. But just as many turn up in lounge suits. The same variety in dress exists for ladies, too. The only thing to remember is that if a lady is wearing an evening frock, and is entitled to wear tartan, it is customary (though not obligatory) for her to wear a tartan sash, appropriate to her own or to her husband's Clan, pinned to the right shoulder -- unless she is a Peeress or the wife of the Colonel of a Regiment, in which case different rules apply.

      Just one or two minor points. It is a normal custom in Highland circles to tap the feet in time to any song or music that has a marked rhythm. It is usual, too, to join in the chorus of songs -- in fact singers are discouraged if people don't join in the choruses. What many visitors do not know, however, is that many Gaelic songs begin with the chorus. If, therefore, someone in the company should happen to start singing at the same time as the performer, don't "Sssh!" them, for they'll be quite in order. Just try to pick up the words and sing too!

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      My father, Murdoch George Macpherson, of the Cluny Macpherson Clan, was born at Perth in 1813, and died at St. Petersburg in 1879. He always considered himself a Glasgow man, because he was taken there as an infant, studied there, became a Civil Engineer and owned a small shipbuilding yard on the Clyde.

      The Emperor Nicholas I of Russia wanted a yacht. When the order for the Imperial yacht was being placed, my father sent drawings, specifications and prices. His tender being adjudged the best, he got the order (delivery in Glasgow).

      When the yacht was ready, she was received in Glasgow by a Russian crew; but on her way to Russia was lost with all hands during a terrible gale, off the coast of Denmark.

      The Emperor gave a repeat order, with the condition that the yacht was to be delivered in Cronstadt or St. Petersburg.

      When the second yacht was ready my father took her out to Russia himself. The Emperor was very pleased with it, and offered my father, the post of Imperial Engineer of all the Imperial yachts. He accepted, returned to Glasgow, disposed of his shipbuilding yard and took up the post of Imperial Engineer.

      The Emperor had four yachts with their full complement of Russian engineers, but my father took charge of the engine room in whatever yacht the Emperor was on.

      I have a pretty story to tell which gives the keynote to my father's character.

      The Emperor Nicholas I was cruising in the fiords of Finland, and his daughter, the young Grand Duchess Maria Nicolaevna, was on board with him. One afternoon, the Emperor was resting in his cabin, the young Grand Duchess, with her maids of honour, was on deck, surrounded by the officers, who began to tease her.

      "You think all on board this yacht will obey you," they said. "There is someone who will not."

      "No one on board this yacht dare disobey me," answered she, haughtily.

      "Oh yes, we know someone who will not obey your orders.".

      "Who is it?" she asked.

      "The Englishman," was the answer. (In Russia all English-speaking people were called English).

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      "You will see," said the Grand Duchess and went to the trap-ladder leading to the engine-room. "Mark Lvovitch," she called.

      My father showed himself in the doorway and asked, "What can I do for you, Your Imperial Highness?"

      "Come up on deck, I want to talk to you," said the Grand Duchess.

      "Sorry, I am on duty and cannot leave the engine room."

      "But I order you."

      "Sorry, I cannot leave my post," answered my father, "we are sailing in dangerous waters and I answer for the lives of all on board."

      "Come up at once," she said angrily, "no one dare disobey me."

      "If I obey your order I must stop the engines," said my father, "and then the Emperor will be very angry," and with these words he went back into the engine room.

      The Grand Duchess burst into tears, ran down to the Emperor's cabin, and woke him.

      "Your Englishman has insulted me," she stormed.

      The Emperor came up on deck and, sending for my father, raged and stormed at him for some time.

      When he stopped, my father said, "May I speak, Your Majesty?"

      That sent the Emperor off again: How dare he speak?

      When next he stopped, my father said dryly, "And now, Your Majesty, may I speak?"

      "Speak then," he thundered, "if you have anything to say." So my father explained why he could not obey the order of the Grand Duchess.

      The Emperor, although a very passionate man, was also a just man. He turned to his daughter and said, "Masha, I see now that it is not the Englishman who has insulted you, but you who have offended the Englishman; give him a present to make -up for it."

      "I have nothing to give him," said the young Grand Duchess, sullenly.

      "Oh yes! you have," he answered, and going up to her, unpinned the diamond star of the Order of St. Catherine which she was wearing on her breast, and pinned it to the lapel of my father's coat.

      When he went into the mess-room, the officers surrounded him and said, "Macpherson, you can't wear this order, it is a woman's order."

      Of course he did not wear it, but in after years had it made into a pendant for my mother's silver wedding day . . . .

      . . . . After serving the Imperials for thirteen years, my father founded the Baltic Iron Works and Shipbuilding Yard in partnership with an English resident of St. Petersburg.

      The Works was founded about 1850-52, and lapsed to the Government in 1874. About 3,000 hands were employed, the foremen being Clydesmen. Here are some of their names:
            John Eager, Chief of Drawing Office;
            Robert Thompson, Chief Engineer,
            Peter McLaren, Shipbuilder (wood);

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           Peter Hedderwick, Shipbuilder (iron);
           Craig, Foreman;
           Steele, Rolling-mill Foreman;
           Glasford.

      In 1856, being then the head of his own works, viz. the Baltic Iron Works, my father was ordered to leave Russia within twenty-four hours for refusing to build or repair ships of war for the Russian Navy, it being war-time (Crimean). My parents were busy packing, but before the twenty-four hours elapsed, Nicholas I died suddenly, and the order became null and void.

      With the death of Nicolas 1, the Crimean War came to an end, and work was resumed at the Baltic Iron Works.

      This is a list of the ships built by my father: Bronenosetz; Latnik; Chicagov; Spiradov; Admiral Lazarev; Clipper Rashoinik; Herzog Edinburgsky; Imperial Yacht, 'Livadia' (for the Black Sea); and, after she was lost, Livadia II.

      The frigate Herzog Edinburgsky, or Duke of Edinburgh, when being laid down was named Alexander Nevsky, but on the marriage of the daughter of Alexander II to the Duke of Edinburgh, the name was changed to Herzog Edinburgsky.

      It used to be a Gala Day at the Baltic Iron Works and Shipbuilding Yard when a ship was launched. Members of the Imperial Family and many distinguished visitors came to the ceremony; a religious ceremony was held by Russian priests in gorgeous robes, and the ship was blessed with Holy Water. Then the stays were knocked away and, as the ship began to glide down the slipway, my father would christen it by throwing a bottle of champagne at her bows. It was beautiful to see the ship gliding gracefully along and entering the water with a little rush.

      To my regret, that is all I can write down about my father's activities in Russia. During the Revolution his papers were lodged, for safety, in the Dutch Legation. Unfortunately, the Legation was looted and the two packets entrusted to it lost. I still hold two receipts for them.

      Owing to the loss of his papers, I have not been able to get into touch with my father's Scottish relatives. I remember him telling me that his cousin Jean, daughter of Sir Ewan Cameron, married Macpherson of Cluny, Chief of the Clan. I know he had an uncle, Robert Macpherson, a Scotch minister. My grandfather, Lachlan Macpherson, came on a visit to Russia and died in St. Petersburg, in 1837.

      It is hoped to print a further account of this family in a subsequent issue of CREAG DHUBH. We learn that one member was President of the St. Petersburg Stock Exchange and that another was serving with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, was appointed Russian interpreter to Lord Kitchener and was amongst the casualties when the HAMPSHIRE was sunk. -- EDITOR,

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      The local history and genealogy to be gained from tombstones is of great value in studying the Highlands as an area of continuing social and economic change. The present writer has always thought it unfortunate that Alexander Macpherson restricted his attention to the old Kingussie graveyard, to the neglect of the numerous township-graveyards which are dotted around Badenoch. Most of these are as old as Cladh Chalum-cille, and most of them contain the dust of whole lineages of Macphersons associated with the farms on which they stand.

      In August 1966, during the week of the Clan Rally, the writer spent some hours in the graveyard at Cluny (Cladh Chluanaidh) making transcriptions, in an effort to remedy this gap in our records. The results are listed below, in the same style as that used by Alexander Macpherson in the Glimpses. The descriptive notes are, for the most part, based upon material collated from the Laggan Parish Registers of Baptisms and Marriages, 1775-1854.

      It is hoped that anyone who can add to these notes will communicate with the writer through the Editor of Creag Dhubh.

1. Headstone

"Erected by a few of his sorrowing companions and pupils (chiefly in Portobello), in memory of John H. Tolmie, M.A., Divinity Student of the Free Church, and for five years one of the masters of the Academy, Portobello, who died in his father's house at Kingussie at the early age of 29 years, lamented by all who enjoyed the privilege of being acquainted with him.

"In manner he was frank, affectionate and inobtrusive; in conduct upright and honourable; in piety pure and childlike; he walked honestly before men and humbly before God.

"He was born on 21st April 1837, and calmly fell asleep in Jesus on 26th February 1867.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Rev. XIV, 13."

"Erected by Donald Tolmie in memory of his beloved spouse, Isabella Hutcheson, who died at Kingussie, 22nd Novr. 1869, aged 70 years.
"Donald Tolmie died at Kingussie, 29th June 1881, aged 81 years."

3. Headstone

"Erected to the memory of Donald Tolmie, mason, who died at Croft, 13th March 1844, aged 73 years.
Also of his three sons who died in infancy."

4. Headstone

"Erected by Lachlan McBain in memory of his wife Ann McGregor who died at Ovie 8th April 1873, aged 76 years; also Lachlan McBain, died Sept. 1884, aged 83 years."

"Sacred to the memory of Malcolm MacGregor, farmer, Uvie, who died 27th Decr. 1812, aged 52 years, and Jane Macpherson, his spouse, who died Ist July 1839, aged 82 years; also their children
      Gregor and James who died in infancy
      Gregor who died 5th Augt. 1834, aged 30 years,
      Jane who died 21st Octr. 1837, aged 44 years,
       Marion who died 28th March, 1848, aged 48 years;
and Gregor their grandson who died 12th April 1861, aged 22 years. This stone is erected as a tribute of affection by Margaret, daughter of the above Malcolm Macgregor, who died 10th Jany. 1869, aged 78 years."

     Marjory can probably be identified with Marion on the headstone.

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      The omission of James, Jane and Margaret from the Baptismal Register may simply imply that these children were born and baptised in another parish, possibly Kingussie.

      Discrepancies in dates of birth are of frequent occurrence when parish registers are compared with information engraved on headstones.

      Gregor, the oldest child, is the earliest person known by name to have been buried in the graveyard.

      No MacBains (MacBeans) had any right of ancient possession to land in the parish of Laggan. Lachlan MacBain was probably related to Duncan MacBean in Uvie, whose wife Isobel Macpherson gave birth to a son, Farquhar, at Uvie on 6th March, 1802. The MacBeans, like the MacGregors, undoubtedly owed their tenure in Uvie to the relationship which they bore, through their wives, to the Macphersons of Uvie.

      Ann McGregor (Headstone No. 4) was probably the youngest daughter of Evan MacGregor and Margaret Leslie, who lived in Uvie between 1777 and 1779, in Nessintullich between 1781 and 1785, and again in Uvie in 1789 and 1796. The Parish Register records her birth on 23rd June and her baptism on 2nd July, 1796. Her eldest brother, Malcolm, who was baptised in 1777, may have been the head of the family who is record on Headstone No. 5. If this is so, the age on the headstone is incorrect.

6. Headstone

"In affectionate remembrance of Catherine Munro, wife of Angus McPherson, piper to Cluny, who died at Cluny, June 1847; and of Mary McLeod his second wife, who died at Gaskmore, 1st May 1872, aged 52."

7. Headstone
      This stone, lying immediately to the west of the graves of the Chiefs, bears no more than the date, "1755".

8. Headstone
      This is a half-buried stone, bearing the name "Ewen McDonald".

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9. Headstone (sited together with No. 10, within the chained area in the NW corner)

"In memory of Ewen McDonald who died 22nd Feb. 1851, and his wife Sarah McDonald who died at Crubin Moor (sic) Sept. 1835; their son Donald who died 27 Dec. 1879, aged 75."

      Janet was the wife of Alexander MacKay in Uvie (1830 and 1831), in Balgown (1834) and in Crubinmore between 1837 and 1840. It would appear that Janet and her husband were, in fact, in Crubinmore by 1835, from the information on the headstone.

10. Headstone

"In memory of Alexander MacKay who died at Milton, Nuide, on the 1st of June 1864, aged 57 years; also of his son Ronald who died 3rd June 1877, aged 28 years; also Janet McDonald the beloved wife and mother of the above, died 3 1st January 188 8, aged 80 years.
In life respected and in death lamented. Erected by their daughter Ann."

11. Headstones and Plaques of the Macphersons of Cluny

a. "In loving memory of Catherine Sarah Louisa, second daughter of Ewen Macpherson of Cluny Macpherson, C.B., Chief of Clan Chattan, born 24 February 1845, died 26 October 1901."

b. "To the memory of Albert Cameron Macpherson of Cluny, D.L., J.P., born August 25th 1854, died January 27th, 1932 youngest son of Ewen Macpherson of Cluny Macpherson, C.B.; also in memory of his wife Frances Eliza Raynsford Addington, born November 28th 1855, died October 22nd 1934."

"The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended."

c. "In memory of Catherine Cameron, widow of the late Cluny Macpherson, Chief of the Clan Chattan, Lieut. Col. in the Scots Fusilier Guards, and daughter of Sir Ewen Cameron of Fassifern, Bart., who departed this life on the 20th January 1855, aged 82 years, this tablet is erected by an affectionate son and daughter-in-law; also in memory of Ewen Cameron,

Lieut., Bengal Army, born 21st June 1806, died Oct. 1832; Louisa, born l5th March 1800, died on the 29th July 1849; Catherine, born 10th March 1801, died on the 10th Oct. 1843; sons and daughters of the above;
and Archibald Fraser, Lieut. Col. 43rd Bengal Native Infantry, died 26th May 1877."

d. "Sacred to the memory of Colonel Duncan Macpherson of Cluny, who, on the 1st of August, 1817, died at the age of 69, respected and beloved as a Highland Chief. He served his country upward of 30 years, during six of which he commanded, on active service in America, a battalion of the then 71st or Fraser Regiment, and this monument, to the memory of an affectionate husband and father, has been erected by his widow and children.

"In memory of Colonel Ewen Henry Davidson Macpherson of Cluny, Chief of Clan Chattan, son of Ewen and Sarah Justina Macpherson, born 22nd January 1836, died l8th August 1900; served for 30 years in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (93rd), was present with the Regiment in the Crimea, Indian Mutiny and North West Frontier; A.D.C. to Lieut. Governor of Bengal, 1859 to 1862; received reward for distinguished service, commanded the Highland Volunteer Infantry Brigade from 1890; also in memory of Mary, his wife, who died at Cheltenham l9th April 1900."

e. "In loving memory of Colonel Duncan Macpherson of Cluny, C.B., Chief of Clan Chattan, son of Ewen and Sarah Justina Macpherson, born 9th Oct. 1833, died 3rd Oct. 1886. Served for upwards of 30 years in the 42nd Royal Highlanders (The Black Watch), was present with the regiment in the Indian Mutiny 1857-8 and Ashanti campaigns 1874, severely wounded, commanded the regiment in Egyptian campaign 1882, mentioned is despatches, received reward for distinguished service in the field.
Erected by his widow."

f. (A Celtic Cross, in front of the Plaques)
"Ewen Macpherson of Cluny Macpherson, C.B., Chief of Clan Chattan, born 24 April 1804, died I I January 1885.
His wife Sarah Justina, daughter of Henry Davidson of Tulloch, born 25 October 1812, died 14 March 1886."

"Mary Grant, for many years nurse at Cluny Castle, died 26 December 1859

13. Flatstone

"To the memory of Isabella McPherson and John McPherson; his youngest daughter . . . ."

14. Headstone

"To the memory of John McPherson, late piper to Cluny, who died Nov. 8, 1834, aged 74 years."

15. Headstone

"Erected by Donald, Duncan, and Ewen McPherson, in memory of their beloved mother Ann McPherson who died at Drumgask on the 13th June 1841, aged 70."

      The second son became Duncan Macpherson of Glendoll after he had made a fortune in Australia, where he is reputed to have won fame by his capture of a notorious bushranger. He carried a right-of-way litigation to the House of Lords, but lost his case. He married Ann Cattanach, and there was one daughter born to the marriage. He died at Logierait, Perthshire, in 1893.

16. Headstone

"Erected by Donald Macpherson, commission-agent, Arbroath, in memory of his father Peter Macpherson, late of the 92nd Gordon Highlanders, who died at Nessintully on the 27th February 1831 in the 60th year of his age.
"After serving his country for upwards of 30 years, both at home and abroad, his mortal remains lies near this spot amongst the mouldering dust of his forefathers.
"Also in memory of his mother Christian Ross who died at Edinburgh on 24th June 1846 in the 56th year of her age and is interred in the Grange Cemetery there.."

17. Headstone

"Erected by James Cattanach, tacksman of Laggan farm, in memory of his beloved wife Christian Macintosh who died 25th September 1874 aged 63 years.
Also of their son Lachlan William who died I 1th May 1875, aged 23 years.
James Cattanach, tacksman, Laggan Farm, died 21st April 1884, aged 84 years.

"Mark the perfect man and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace." Psalm 37th, and 37th ver."

."James Cattanach's mother was Ann Macpherson in Biallidmore, who married Finlay Cattanach on 24th August, 1784. It may have been through her that the Cattanachs obtained the right of burial at Cluny.

      It is sometimes asserted that this graveyard was the private burial ground of the Macphersons of Cluny, Chiefs of the Clan. An inspection of this list, however, shows that this was not the case. Apart from the group of retainers from Cluny Castle (Nos. 6, 12 and 14), the stones commemorate several families who had no connection with the Lairds of Cluny nor any apparent connection with the farmtown of Cluny. Geographical associations of the various families seem to point rather to the Croft of Blargie, to Uvie, Drumgask, Gaskmore and Gergask, all of which are within easy walking distance of Cladh Chluanaidh but are, in fact, closer to other graveyards. Of all these places, Drumgask alone lies on the Cluny Estate and it is therefore apparent that tenantstatus with respect to the Macphersons of Cluny does not explain the presence of these families in the Cluny graveyard.

      It cannot be said that Cladh Chluanaidh was used exclusively for the burial of clansmen of the Chiefs of Macpherson. Indeed, the majority of the people buried there belonged to other clans. The names of Tolmie, Cattanach, Macintosh, MacDonald, MacGregor and MacKay form a fairly representative cross-section of the whole community as it existed in the parish of Laggan at the end of the 18th century.

      None of the Macphersons mentioned in the inscriptions on Nos. 5, 6, 13, 14, 15 and 16 was closely related to the family of the Chiefs, at least no more than were the rest of the clansmen in Badenoch.

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      Explanation of these apparent anomalies would seem to lie in an apparent lineage connection with the graveyard. The Tolmies of the Croft of Blargie were almost certainly a branch of the Tolmie family in Balgowan. Balgowan is the farmtown adjacent to Cluny and undoubtedly shared the graveyard. The MacDonalds also came from this farm. The MacGregors of Uvie, besides being related to the Macphersons of Crubinmore and Uvie, were probably related to the MacGregors who were millers at the Mill of Cluny. The MacKays were related to the MacDonalds in Balgowan and were also, probably, related to Alexander MacKay who was the waulkmiller at Cluny in 1745 and thereafter. It is clear, therefore, that the family of Macpherson of Cluny is merely one of a number of lineages possessing the right to bury in this graveyard.

      In addition to the stones listed above, there is a number of crude flatstones in the cladh. None of these bears any discernible inscription, but almost certainly they mark the graves of earlier representatives of the same families. Amongst them may be the graves of the Chiefs in the original line of Cluny, which came to an end with the death of Duncan in 1722. At any rate, it can be assumed that Cladh Chluanaidh -- like all the little country burial-grounds of the district -- epitomises the community of Laggan as it was in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.

      The letters were written by John Gordon and by Kenneth Macpherson. Gordon was Clerk of Badenoch, a post resembling that of town clerk, but covering the whole district. Macpherson was a merchant in Ruthven and a captain in Cluny's Regiment. The letters were first brought to notice by Charles Macpherson, a native of Edinburgh, who became sub-organist of St. Paul's Cathedral. He had spent some time delving into the Public Records and, in 1913, he sent some copies of documents of clan interest to Albert of Cluny. The copies, at present in the custody of the writer, have been verified and slightly amended.

      Kenneth Macpherson was a man of affairs in Ruthven. Amongst other activities, he acted as agent for the Lady of Invereshie in the matter of "the wounded Camerons", who were being looked after in the town, disbursing various sums on her behalf, amounting in all to £99 17s. 6d. Scots. The 'accompt' for the above is attested by John Gordon in his capacity as Notary Public.

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      We know from contemporary records that the school at Ruthven was reputed to be the "best in the whole stretch from Speymouth to Lorn" and that, some ten years later, it was to have James Macpherson, of Ossian fame, as its master. Judging from Kenneth's very apposite' but somewhat recondite quotation from Ovid's Heroides, "Don't write back to me, but come yourself," it would appear that the curriculum was strong on the classical side.       The letters speak for themselves. The reference in the Public Records Office is S(tate) P(apers) Scotland 54/26/122/404/406.

To Capt. Kenneth Mcpherson
of Cluny's Regiment at his
Lodgings God knows where.

Dr. K.
      Some things occurred since parting with you that prevents my being with you as soon as I proposed. This is therefore to acquaint you Because I have nothing else to say That I wish you well, and pray to God to direct you in all your undertakings. You may say this is not the prayer of the faithfull But I say this and that it will have weight. But whether or not may the D---l himself take you if ever you slip one opportunity or post to tell me your news and when your dead write me that you are so and then our correspondence ends. The head and tail of this family desire me tell you that they wish you well.

I am Dr. K.,           Yours J.G. Ruthven
      22nd October 1745.

To John Gordon
Clerk of Badenoch
29th October 1745
Dr. John
      "I received yours of the 22nd But little did I expect that you would Desyre me with you till I saw your bonny face. I now once more say wt. Ulysses Nil mihi rescribas, tu tamen ipse veni. But if you still hearken to the w-d-ws per(su)asion rather than honour and glory I give you -up for Lost and every honesty. I cannot but Esteem you But what I never thought you to be . . . . you may gues what I mean . . . . however shall say no more till greater opportunity or Leisure offer. This I write from the south side of the water of Forth opposite to Alloa Sitting on a slimy Bank my feet in the uglyest Slyme My Target my Table waiting the rear I be