01/04/2026
Had he still been alive, our late chief, Sir William Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie, would have celebrated his 100th birthday today, Wednesday 1st April - no doubt to much aplomb and in great style.
1st April is also the first day of our new season at the Museum.
‘Old’ Cluny as he has affectionately come to be known, was much loved and admired and for almost 52 years led the clan, styling his role as chief as ‘first amongst equals.’
The constant at his side was his wife, Lady Sheila; together they played a central role in shaping and moulding the Association into what it is today - a lively and engaging organisation, deeply rooted in celebrating the clan’s history, welcoming and all-embracing.
Both were great supporters of the Museum, and on Sheila’s passing twenty-two years ago, an endowment fund was established to raise funds for the Museum in her name. Following the death of Sir William in 2021, the fund’s name was amended to include his name too.
Since its establishment, income from the fund's investments has been a crucial and welcome source of revenue for the Museum. Monies have contributed to maintaining the Museum to the highest professional standards. Those present at our Gathering in 2022 will recall our current chief, Jamie, describing the Museum as ‘one of the jewels of the crown of Scotland.’
There are many ways in which the Clan Macpherson Museum can be supported. This year, we encourage readers of Creag Dhubh and friends of the Museum to consider contributing something, even something small, to the Sir William and Lady Macpherson of Cluny Museum Endowment Fund.
On 1st April, the opening day of the Museum’s 2026 season and the anniversary of Sir William’s birth, let us join Jamie and his sister Annie, their families and cousins across the world in raising a toast to the memory of their parents. And the Museum.
🔗 For anyone considering supporting the Museum, we would invite you to pursue the following link:
www.clanmacphersonmuseum.org.uk/make-a-donation
We thank you.
