It is a great pleasure to be able to make contact in this way with so many of you, and to hope that at one of our Rallies I will be able to greet you personally.

      The first weekend in August has become a firm traditional date for the Association's Rally, and each year we see new faces in Badenoch, returning to the Clan country and to Scotland from many places abroad.

      Our sorrow this year has been the passing of Lady Stewart Macpherson and I do wish simply to record the sadness of my own family to feel that Lady Stewart will not be there again to take her place at the events of the Association, to which she gave such endless support and encouragement. She was an example to us all, and we will all miss her very much.

      I write this message from Hong Kong, where the temperature and humidity are high, and from where Scotland seems distant! But I look forward to being one of those returning for August and the Rally.

      To all Branches and members of our Clan Association I send most warm greetings.

WILLIAM MACPHERSON OF CLUNY

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      The recorded addresses of our visitors show that they came from the undernoted countries, with the number for each shown in brackets: Scotland and England (4,067); Isle of Man (19); Canada (84); USA (124); Eire (20); Australia (74); New Zealand (22); Greece (6); Holland (48); Belgium (32); France (49); West Germany (37); Italy (32); South Africa (19); Rhodesia (2); Norway (5); Sweden (18); Denmark (8); Switzerland (12); Malaysia (11); Peru (4); India (2); Brazil (5); Spain (2); Israel (3); Cyprus (5); Austria (4).

      Three hundred and two Macphersons and septs of the Clan visited us, an increase of forty-two.

      Donations received in the collection boxes amounted to £313, an increase of £8.00.

      Membership fees amounted to £148.00, an increase of £41.00. Sales of publications realised £87.00, a decrease of £31.00. This decrease is mainly due to the first edition of The Posterity of the Three Brethern now being out of print. A new revised edition is in course of preparation and supplies are expected at an early date. This book is published by the Canadian Branch of the Clan Macpherson Association.

Recent Additions to Museum
Silver Plaid Brooch inscribed "Presented to Florence Lambeth, by the Clan McPherson, Pittsburgh, U.S.A. Dec. 1890." (from Miss Elizabeth I. M. King, 146 Campbell Street, Wishaw).

Piping Medals won by Norman Macpherson, son of Calum Piobair (Malcolm Macpherson):
      1st for Piobaireachd The Scottish Pipers' Society, Oban, 1889;
      1st for Piobaireachd The Edinburgh Institute, 1892;
      1st for Quick-Step The Edinburgh Institute 1892;
      Gold Medal inscribed "Won by Norman McPherson 1892.

           (from Mrs. Florence E. Gammage, Great Missenden, Bucks., granddaughter of Norman Macpherson).

Set of coloured photographs of 2nd USA Rally 1975 (from Dr. Robert J. Gillespie, Attleboro Falls, Mass. USA).

Booklet, Pictures of London, 1899, and hand-turned stud made by the donor's grandfather (from Donald J. MacPherson, 205 Kensington Avenue South, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada).

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The History of the Victoria Cross (from Roy Gillespie Smith, Parkstone, Bournemouth).

Clan Donnachaidh Annual, 1975 (from Mr. Alex. MacRae, Clan Donnachaidh Museum, Bruar.)

Insignia of Member of the Order of The British Empire (MBE) bestowed on the late Captain John MacDonald, Honorary Piper to the Queen. Captain McDonald received his early tuition from Malcolm Macpherson (Calum Piobair) and his son, John Macpherson (Phosa's father) at the School of Piping, Catlodge, Laggan). Captain McDonald's father, was piper to the Macphersons of Glentruim.
(from Mrs. D. Sydie, Ardnabruach, Newtonmore.)

Film: The Gathering of the Clan. This excellent colour film. with sound track of the 1973 Clan Rally was produced and presented to the Museum by Monroe MacPherson, of Ionia, Michigan, USA. Monroe who is a professional, and world traveller, has filmed several travelogues in various countries.

Film: Richmond Games 1974, at which Cluny was privileged to be the Chieftain of the Games (from England and Wales Branch).

      First to greet us at the new and splendid museum was the curator, Eoin Macpherson and his lovely wife. We basked in the warm sunlight of their reception. We remember they were the reason we were here today, as it was their invitation many years ago that made us come back to the family.

      We reviewed the wonderful artifacts of the ancient history of our clan and its many families. We listened to the enthusiastic visitors telling of their admiration of the beautiful place and its many treasures. Eoin told us of his need for one more showcase -- which he hoped the USA branch would buy for the museum. At our October USA Rally, we made plans to do this.

      The weather was unusually warm and sunny for the Scottish Highlands as the Macphersons gathered for the annual rally on August 1-3, 1975. The ballroom at the Duke of Gordon Hotel was crowded with

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Macphersons in splendid attire when we entered -- warmly welcomed by Chief Cluny Macpherson and his charming wife, Sheila, and our good friends, Chairman Ronald Macpherson and his lovely wife, Betty. The music was gay and all enjoyed the dancing, followed by a sumptuous feast in the dining room.

      Saturday was the day of the Clan Meeting which was held in Newtonmore Town Hall; a very important meeting. Because this was the day that Hugh Macpherson announced the final payment of all expenses accrued in building the new Museum House -- and the mortgage paper was destroyed (torn up rather than burned, to keep the Town Hall from harm). I read the report of the USA branch as their representative, and Monroe Macpherson of Michigan, USA, presented a very excellent 16mm sound coloured film on the Clan Macpherson to the Museum.

      The afternoon was exceptionally warm and bright -- and thousands gathered at the field for the Games. The March started as traditionally from Old Ralia to The Eilan, at the opening of the Highland Games, led by the Muirhead & Sons, Grangemouth, Pipe Band. I was thrilled to be placed at the right of the Chief's banner -- as representative of our US branch of Macphersons, and as Captain of the Gillespie sept.

      Cluny claimed the land for the family, and the games and competitive dancing began. The Chief of the Games presented his sword and a charter to Cluny, giving him and his clansmen several important rights to the Games.

      Warm welcome was distributed at the tent of Clan Macpherson -- and dry throats were quenched in the usual manner. Many new prospective members of the clan name were greeted -- some from our USA.

      The evening Ceilidh was held in the ballroom of the Duke of Gordon -- with Hugh Macpherson as Fear-an-Tighe. All enjoyed the beautiful music of the Scottish folk -- and our dear Lady Macpherson was welcomed and congratulated on her 100 years.

      The St. Columba's Parish Church of Kingussie was the host for the Clan Macpherson on Sunday morning, and the sermon was eloquently given by the minister on "Touch Not the Cat -- Bot a Glove", with Bible text readings by Chief Cluny Macpherson and Chairman Ronald Macpherson.

      We were all guests at Cluny Castle in the afternoon, as well as at Glentruim -- where the Chieftain greeted us, and his lovely wife, Sandra, was hostess, serving us tea and goodies on the lawn. We talked about ways in which we might bring the Cluny Castle back into the Clan.

      It was with regret that Lois and I took our leave of our cousins, and journeyed on to Fort William. We certainly look forward to renewing friendships again in the near future. We will treasure our memories of each one of them.

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      Our Highland visit ended with a search and finding of the ruins of Tor Castle and the "Pool of the Cat" at Banavie, near Fort William in Lochaber -- the ancient home (1228) of Gillie -- Chattan Mor, The Gillespic, progenitor of the Macphersons and Gillespies.

To all Macphersons -- "Ask a Gillespie to come back to the family."

The Daily Telegraph -- 16 January 1976 . . . .

      Col. Tom Hall, of the Royal Hussars -- his aide when Lord Harding was C.-in-C. British Army of the Rhine and Chief of the Imperial General Staff in the early fifties -- tells me that all the ADCs have remained the best of friends with their superior and with each other.

      Although Lord Minto and 'Nico' Collins were unable to attend, Col. Hall's colleagues were Lords Scarbrough and Digby, Charles Sivewright, Nigel Tunnicliffe, Lt.-Col. Michael Allenby, John Joicey, Seymour Thistlethwaite and William Macpherson, 27th chief of his clan.

      These Arms, as are all Macpherson Arms, are based on those of the Chief of the Clan, Macpherson of Cluny. However, in this case, the Cluny Arms are "differenced" by the partition line of the field which is "per bend Azure and Or", that is, the upper half of the diagonal section is blue and the lower half is gold. The well-known charges of the Galley, the hand holding the dagger, and the cross-crosslet are "counter-changed" which affords a very pleasing artistic effect. The "chief", or upper part of the shield, is silver and contains a red lion rampant between two red "Antique" or "Eastern Crowns". The lion signifies a Ross ancestor as well as representing the "Lion of Scotland" and the present armiger's association with the London Scottish Football Club. The "Eastern Crown" is usually reserved for those of high rank who have served in India or the East and commemorates the service to India of the late Sir Duncan James Macpherson. This coronet

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is also found in the Arms of Grant, where it is described as an "Antique Crown", and is here used with reference to one of the Christian names of R. W. G. Macpherson.

      The Crest is described as "a wild cat sejant guardant proper holding in his dexter forepaw an Antique Crown Or" and the Motto, "Touch not bot a glove", is an "answering motto" to that of the Chief's "Touch not the cat but a glove".

      R. W. G. Macpherson has been an active member of the Clan Association for many years, having held various offices in the England & Wales Branch. In 1973, he was elected Chairman of the parent Clan Association.

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The Sydney Sun -- 11 November 1975 . . .

      Gordon McPherson, of Altona North, Victoria, has been granted a charter by his clan chief in Scotland to hold a recruiting drive. He has started his campaign in Brisbane.

      At present there are about eighty-five members in Australia including people from all major sub clans. Mr. McPherson hopes the total will be 1,500 by the end of his recruiting drive.

      Joining the association entitles members to the annual magazine, Ceilidh, and knowledge of the clan's history, background, dress, music, traditions and way of life.

      Members will also be able to attend the clan's annual gathering each August at Newtonmore, Inverness-shire.

      On being asked to sing the above Badenoch emigrants' song -- "A health to the men that have gone over the ocean . . ." -- it suddenly came in on the singer how much is lost to the clansman who does not know his or her own Gaelic language. Such is the impact of the English language on us all that it even frightens some of us to realise that the English language is a foreign tongue! We all know, tucked away somewhere in our subconscious, that the language of our forefathers was Scotland's own dear, lovely Gaelic language. We know that the songs round the peat-fires were often those we hear today at ceilidhs or on gramophone records or for half an hour after seven o'clock on VHF radio of an evening -- but like the mist, it's hard to get to grips with.

[The song, 'Gu ma slan' is one of Cluny's favorites. He has sung it many times at ceilidhs, solo or as a duet with others such as Evan Cattanach.You will find the story behind the song on page 787 of Creag Dhubh No.29.]

      The most extraordinary thing happened to change all this. An Comunn Gaidhealach, the veteran Gaelic Society, made an appeal

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throughout the length and breadth of Scotland for funds to found a tip-top electronic age Gaelic correspondence course to O-level standard. Sceptics by the barrowload shook their heads. But faith can move mountains and local town halls and businessmen. The thousands of pounds that came pouring in from all directions proved that still deep down in the Scottish soul there beats a love for Scotland's old original language -- Gaelic. The only non-profit making correspondence course run as an Educational Trust in these islands was enlisted to provide facilities. The author of the course is the head of the Glasgow College of Education's Gaelic department at Jordanhill. The material is based round a crofting family living the same traditional life which our forefathers led in Badenoch before we were scattered. Their daily life is presented through taped conversations in a lively fashion. No previous knowledge of Gaelic is required to start the course. Full details are obtainable from the National Extension College, 131 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, England.

      A new list of all books, publications, tapes, cassettes, etc. available in print in Gaelic today can be obtained by writing to: The Department of Celtic, Glasgow University, Kelvingrove, Glasgow.

      An Comunn Gaidhealach, Abertarff House, Inverness, leads the way in providing information on all aspects of Gaelic life, language and culture. It keeps a Gaelic presence in the weekly newspaper, The Stornoway Gazette. It runs mods (Gaelic festivals) locally and nationally, and can give information on your nearest Gaelic evening classes, choirs and church services. Their Glasgow office at 65 West Regent Street, is particularly helpful in advising you on the words of Gaelic songs.

      Gairm Publications, 29 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2, are the biggest publishers. Club Leabhar is the only Scottish book club, and brings out a steady stream of titles in Gaelic and in English. It can be written to at 41 Braeside Park, Balloch, Inverness.

      Most local record shops stock or can get Gaelic gramophone records but the best catalogue of Scottish records can be got from Hamilton's, 1080 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3.

       Sabhal Mor Ostaig (with Sabhal sounding somewhat like soul or sole) is the Gaelic College situated in the grarden of Skye in Sleat, not far from the Mallaig ferry terminal at Armadale. Their address is Teangue, Sleat, Isle of Skye.

Tocher, Edinburgh University's bilingual quarterly, obtainable from the School of Scottish Studies, 27 George Square, Edinburgh 8, brings the wheel its full circle.

      We can really toast the men that have gone over the sea -- Gu ma slan do na fearaibh -- in that Tocher has just started a link with the Cape Breton Magazine. Added to that, Gairm Publications have put out two Nova Scotian paperbacks: one of short stories, Sgialachdan a

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Albainn Nuaidh, and the other of poetry, Bardachd a Albainn Nuaidh; both edited by Calum I. M. MacLeoid, 12 Fairview Street, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, who is a lecturer or professor of Gaelic in Nova Scotia's Frances Xavier University and one of the great authorities on Gaelic in Nova Scotia. One of the best gramophone records representing Nova Scotian Gaelic singers is Orain Cheap Breatainn (Songs of Cape Breton -- from Original Masters).

      Indeed, there is a wealth of Gaelic records to be had, and more than one acclaimed Gaelic singer has learned his or her songs from gramophone records!

      Gu ma slan do na fearaibh chaidh thairis an cuan (agus air an taobh seo cuideachd) -- Here's a health to the men who have gone over the ocean (and on this side too). Bithidh sinn gur faicinn -- we'll be seeing you.

                                                                      'Tha 'n cnatan orm;
                                                                       Tha'n tùchan orm
                                                                       Tha 'am brochan 'an coinmeamh
                                                                            mo lùths 'thoirt uam.
                                                                      Am brochan dubh 'n comhnaidh,
                                                                      'S an droch aran eorna,
                                                                      'S an t-annlann air bòrd
                                                                           's a chulaobh rium.'

which translated means:

                                                                      'I have got a cold,
                                                                       'I am hoarse
                                                                       The gruel is sapping my strength from me,
                                                                       The nasty gruel always,
                                                                       And the poor rye bread,
                                                                      The nourishment on a table kept from me.'

      This is one of the quotations taken from the book of Gaelic Proverbs (collected and translated into English with equivalents from other European languages) by Alexander Nicolson M.A. L.L.D advocate (Sheriff Nicolson of Skye and Greenock).

      The interest attaching to proverbs, an index of the character of a nation is great. They are the unintentional, and all the more truthful, revelation of a people's peculiarities, habits and ideas.

Cairistiona Nic Cuinn Camshron Nic a' phearson
(CHRISTINA MACQUEEN CAMERON MACPHERSON)
(wife of the editor, Archy C. Macpherson).

      The 1975 Clan Macpherson Rally got under way on Friday with a reception and Highland Ball held by Cluny, Chief of the Clan, and Ronald Macpherson of London, association chairman, and their wives in the Duke of Gordon Hotel.

      On Saturday morning the association's annual general meeting was held in Newtonmore Village Hall when members were pleased to hear Hugh Macpherson, Edinburgh, chairman of the museum development fund, report that debts on the new museum in Newtonmore had been cleared.

      Members acknowledged the gift of a film and sound track of the 1973 rally made by Monroe Macpherson of Michigan, USA.

      On Saturday 2 August, the annual Highland Games and Macpherson Rally were held on the 'Eilan', Newtonmore. Favoured with glorious weather the gathering drew a large crowd, with thousands of spectators from all over the country, as well as many overseas visitors, the latter being welcomed at the Macpherson tent, by the Chief, Cluny (William Macpherson, Q.C., London and Blairgowrie).

      One of the most interesting events at the Games was the famous Craig Dhu hill race which was won by Brian Finlayson (24), Lochaber Athletic Club, a banker by profession, in the time of 27 min. 14 sec. Last year's winner and record holder, Martin Weeks, Bingley Harriers, was second. His record time is 26 min. 20 sec.

      Stornoway-born Neil Sandilands, Edinburgh A.C., lost his North of Scotland Amateur Athletic Association shot putt championship to Cawdor farmer, Hamish Davidson, who bettered his championship record of 14-77 metres with a splendid putt of 15-94 metres. Iain Mackenzie, Forres Harriers, won the 5,000 metres championship in a convincing manner from Ian Johnstone, Inverness Harriers, who is making an athletics come-back after a leg injury forced him to retire from competition two years ago.

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Sandy Cameron (24). Dalwhinnie, lifted the 'Stone of Heroes', a large 291 lb. boulder on to a special stand in 31 seconds.

Ceilidh
      In the evening, after the highlight of the Rally -- the Highland Games -- the scene shifted back to the Duke of Gordon Hotel where a ceilidh was arranged by Eoin Macpherson, Newtonmore.

      The next day, a large turnout of clan members assembled at Kingussie Parish Church where the service was conducted by the Rev. A. Jenner, the lessons being read by Cluny and R. W. G. Macpherson, London. The offering was collected by Mr Sandy Macpherson and his young son, Bruce (9), grandson and great-grandson of Lady Macpherson, who was 100 this year. The widow of Sir Stewart Macpherson, Newtonmore, at one time an Inverness county councillor, she now spends much of the year in Edinburgh. She attended not only the service but all the events, including the annual general meeting, the games and the ceilidh afterwards. Her sons, include Lord Drumalbyn (formerly Niall Macpherson, Nat.-Liberal M.P. for Dumfriesshire); G. P. S. ('Phil'), well-known between the wars as a Scottish rugby internationalist; A. I. S. ('Archie'), a well-known Edinburgh surgeon; and Colonel 'Tommie', Balavil.

      After the service, although the rally had officially ended, some members took advantage of invitations to visit Cluny Castle and Glentruim.

      The local Times-Herald reports that ...       "Edith has led a fascinating life. She once worked for an oil company in Shanghai decoding cabled messages, retired in 1931 and travelled around the world including a long journey on the trans-Siberian railway. She spent several years in the USA before finally settling with her niece, Miss Winifred Stratton, in Ascham Road, Bournemouth, in 1972.

      Mr. John Watson McPherson, 45a Glengarry Road, Perth, received the insignia of serving brother from the Lord Prior of St. John, Lord Gaccia, at the Order of St. John investiture ceremony in London last Thursday. The Order of St. John honours men and women from all walks of life for their services to humanity. Mr. McPherson is a founder member of the local Post Office Ambulance Centre.

... from Perthshire Advertiser -- 30 July 1975

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     Well here it is. The Saturday of the Rally is always the first Saturday of August. This year it works out as the seventh of August but it is a movable feast and has to be calculated anew every year. As we all know the Rally starts on the evening of the previous day with the Reception and Ball in the Duke of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie, and end on the Sunday afternoon after some outing in Badenoch arranged. To fully appreciate the Rally one needs to attend it over many years like all family reunions.

      With the working out of the formula for the date of each year's Rally we may be forgiven omitting this year's 1976 Clan Macpherson Rally page. This is one of many economies we have been forced to make. We have sought to cut things to the bone this year. Sadly we have axed the usual four art pages of photographs. Shooting costs are the cause. All we ask is that if anyone feels strongly (and is in a financial state to back up his or her feelings) please do not divert funds or donations that would have gone to the Clan Macpherson Trust -- House and Museum Appeal Fund, 17 West Maitland Street, Edinburgh 12, Scotland -- but if any extra is there, it can be put to helping with the cost of Creag Dhubh. Otherwise we merely rob Peter to pay Paul.

      We look forward, dear cousin, to seeing you at this year's Rally.

Le speis.

17 West Maitland Street
Edinburgh EH12 5EA
31 March 1976

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      We live in a strange world these days, with the result that more and more people are turning to the things in life that really matter. Macphersons are supposed to be lucky in life, but I prefer to think that, bearing in mind the origin of our name, we have a deep and abiding faith, which never lets us down. Great days lie ahead! Our country has a wonderful future, no matter what difficulties may be encountered. After all, this old world has been on the go for a very long time, and it is not going to give up the ghost at this particular stage in history. There would be no fun in living if we had no problems to solve. I know the Macphersons will not now rest on their laurels.

      Donations and legacies are always more than welcome, as we have maintenance charges to meet from time to time. In recent weeks, we had to have repairs done to the roof of the museum, which will cost us several hundred pounds, but I am confident that the money will be available when the bill comes in. Beannachd leibh!

HUGH MACPHERSON,
Chairman.

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OBITUARY
from The Scotsman -- 4 May 1976 . .

.

      Mr. Macpherson, a piping judge at the Braemar Games and many other Highland gatherings all over Scotland, was admitted to Migdale Hospital, Bonar Bridge, last Thursday. He received the M.B.E. from the Queen at a private investiture at Balmoral some years ago for his services to piping. Last year, he curtailed his circuit of all the Highland games in the North.

      Among his many distinctions, he was a life member of the Skye Piping Association and the Inverness Piping Society. His son, Malcolm Macpherson, who died in 1967, was acknowledged as the world's greatest exponent of the pibroch.

Macpherson -- On 2 March 1976, in Edinburgh, in her 101st year, HELEN CAMERON, K.i.H., wife of the late Sir Stewart Macpherson, C.I.E., I.C.S., LL.D.

      It was in 1933, after her husband's retiral from the Indian Civil Service, in which he had been a judge, in Bihar, Orissa and Patna, that the permanent return to Newtonmore came, and in Badenoch, as in India, Lady Macpherson entered fully into the life of the community. Indeed, for her voluntary work in India, particularly for earthquake victims, she was awarded the Kaiser I. Hind gold medal. Back in

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Badenoch, while her husband became an Inverness County Councillor, she became a Girl Guide commissioner, and took a keen interest in the Red Cross and other worthy causes. A well-kent figure in Inverness as well as Newtonmore and Edinburgh, she was widely acclaimed in her 100th birthday.

      She is survived by four of her five sons, one -- a doctor in Orkney -- having died some years ago, and by two married daughters, and many grandchildren. Of her sons, one (Niall) is Lord Drumalbyn, who was National Liberal and Unionist M.P. for Dumfries-shire from 1945 to 1963, and a member of successive Conservative Governments; another, G. P. S. ('Phil') a chartered accountant, was well-known in the '30s as one of Scotland's leading rugby internationalists; the second youngest, as already mentioned, is a surgeon in Edinburgh; and the youngest, R. T. S. ('Tommy') recently purchased [rather leased] Balavil Estate, near Kingussie, and is a former post-war London Scottish commanding officer. One of her daughters, Mrs. Kittermaster, was for long 'headmaster's wife' at Cargilfield Preparatory School, Edinburgh. Incidentally, Sir Stewart's brother, Ian, while Liberal M.P. for Ross and Cromarty, was UnderSecretary of State for War towards the end of the First World War, and later Minister of Pensions, becoming the first Baron Strathcarron of Banchor in 1936.

Strathspey & Badenoch Herald

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Charles W. R. Gillies
      Charles W. R. Gillies, who died on 8 January, 1976, was a serving committee member of the England and Wales Branch.

      The funeral service at Enfield Crematorium on 14 January, was attended by Harry Macpherson-Symons, the Chairman of the England and Wales Branch and by Ewen S. L. MacPherson, the branch secretary.

      He was born in Jerusalem, where his father, a farmer, was killed by bandits before his birth, and his mother, a Church of Scotland missionary, died while he was an infant.

      Mr. Lindsay served with the Royal Artillery in Gallipoli, Egypt, France and Italy in World War 1, and rose to the rank of captain. He was awarded the Military Cross in Gallipoli and, later in life, was honoured with the O.B.E.

      Mr. Lindsay was connected with the Morgan Crucible Company for more than 50 years, 20 of them as managing director and chairman.

      He first went to Badenoch in 1938, and four years later purchased Cluny Estate, where he progressively carried out improvements. He also had farming properties in England.

      Predeceased by his wife several years ago, Mr. Lindsay is survived by three daughters.

from Strathspey Herald

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28 Adams Street, French's Forest,
N.S.W. 2086, Australia
29 December 1975

      As our whole family, including our son, David, and daughter, Heather, are now all members of the Association, we hope to meet Gordon Macpherson in the near future.

      Congratulations on Creag Dhubh again this year, a fine and interesting magazine.

      Looking forward to the possibility of seeing you all at the 1976 Clan Rally.

JOy GILLIES.

1 The Rookery, Westcott,
Dorking, Surrey RH4 3LQ

      I may be correct in stating that I was the first Chairman whilst in office attending both Rallies in North America. The potential of both branches is very great and we are lucky in having such enthusiastic office bearers of these branches who have plans for the future.

      Secondly, another successful Christmas Draw was organised by the East of Scotland Branch. This raised pounds for the Clan Museum at Newtonmore, and may I take this opportunity of thanking all those who supported the draw.

      Once again I apologise to those members who do not approve of this method of fund raising and received tickets.

RONALD W. G. MACPHERSON,
Chairman.

Wilvil, Bacrami Creek,
N.S.W. 2333, Australia
24 November 1975

      My great-grandfather, Duncan McPherson, his wife Mary, their children, John 'and Mary, left Scotland and arrived in Australia in 1854, on the ship, The Hornet.

      Duncan's parents' names were Angus and Sophia, but the information on Duncan's death certificate is scant, as it was given by an Australian-born child.

      Duncan was born on the Isle of Skye in 1817. He married Mary MacDonald, also of the Isle in February 1848.

      Duncan and Mary's family is John, born 1849; Mary 1851; Alexander 1856 (my grandfather); Isabella 1857; Sophia 1859; and Angus 1862.

      It may be of interest to you to see the names of other McPhersons who made the journey to Australia in 1854.

      The Hornet, of 1,155 tons, B. Stacey as Master, sailed from Liverpool on 29 July 1854 and arrived at Geelong, Victoria, Australia, on 23 October 1854.

Single males and females over 14 years were listed separately:

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      I am compiling our Australian family tree and as Duncan had 6 children and they then had 30 children, I have compiled families for 14 of them so far, but I feel I will be some time yet.

      Usually one feels that the year slips by very quickly, but it seems an age between issues of the Magazine. I will be very interested to read any continuation of the article, "The Red Parson".

      Hoping this may be of some interest to someone.

BRUCE E. MACPHERSON.

26 Stonards Hill,
Epping, Essex
30 August 1975

      Alan G. Macpherson's most interesting The Posterity of the Three Brethren, on page 9, gives the spelling which I have always been brought up to use: Macpherson, but then goes on to add 'MacPherson, or McPherson, according to the spelling preferred by the individual families'.

      I believe that it is Frank Adam's lengthy book, The Clans, Septs, and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands, which states that Mac means 'son of' . . . a translation no one will query. He then adds words to the effect that in this case the second part of the name should correctly start with a capital letter: as an example he gives McVicar. In his chapter on the Septs of the Highland Clans he goes so far as to use 'mac' as a word on its own, spelt with a small 'm': dating this use of the word back to the beginning of the eighteenth century.

      I see that Creag Dhubh usually uses, to my mind, the conventional spelling, Macpherson, as one word, with no capital letter in the middle. But all three spellings can be found in the Clan Annual, often on the same page, sometimes in the same article. Alan G. Macpherson acknowledges the use of Sir Aeneas Macpherson's 1705 MS, The Genealogies of the McPhersons since the Three Brethren: here we have two variations of the name!!!

      In my own family I have been brought up to use the one word, with a capital M, and no break in the middle, being led to believe the spelling McPherson was a Canadian/American variation used by the families which left Scotland after the '45, or as a result of the Highland Clearances. This must be an invention of my family as so many gravestones in Badenoch country use Mcpherson as a spelling, but some evidence to my family theory appears when one reads of so many of our Clan members writing from overseas, and using a spelling with Me, or MacP.

      I write to ask if you or any of the readers of Creag Dhubh can guide me on this subject, or is the spelling a matter purely of family choice? I sign myself,

JOHN MACPHERSON.

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