Uncovering Clan Macpherson History and Its Scottish Legacy
September 09, 2025Table of Content
I. An Overview of Clan Macpherson
Clan Macpherson is a Scottish Highland clan rooted in Badenoch whose name comes from the Gaelic Mac a' Phearsain— "son of the parson," reflecting early ties to a clerical ancestor at Kingussie. The clan is part of the historic Clan Chattan confederation and is widely identified by the wildcat crest with the warning motto "Touch not the cat but a glove."
Today, Macpherson heritage is celebrated globally through the Clan Macpherson Association and the Clan Macpherson Museum in Newtonmore, which preserves artifacts and stories from medieval origins through the Jacobite era. The chief line— Macpherson of Cluny—led a notable contingent in the 1745 rising, and the modern seat is associated with Newton Castle at Blairgowrie. Together, these markers—name, confederation, crest and motto, museum, and seats—frame a clear picture of a clan whose identity blends faith-linked beginnings, Highland alliance, and enduring cultural pride.
II. The Origin of Clan Macpherson
The origin of Clan Macpherson is reflected in its Gaelic name Mac a' Phearsain, meaning "son of the parson," which points to early ties with the church through Muireach (Murdo Cattenach), a priest in Kingussie, Badenoch. As part of the powerful Chattan Confederation, Clan Macpherson traces its roots back to Gille Chattan Mor in 843, with later leaders linked to Lochaber and Saint Cathan.
In 1309, Robert the Bruce rewarded their loyalty against Clan Comyn by granting the lands of Badenoch. Known as the "Clan of the Three Brothers," the lineage descends from Ewan Ban Macpherson and his sons—Kenneth of Clunie, Iain of Pitman, and Gillies of Invereshie—who established the main family branches.
III. Clan Macpherson History
14th-century clan conflicts
In 1370, the Battle of Invernahavon occurred between the Chattan Confederation and the Clan Cameron. There was a disagreement regarding which clan, the Macphersons or the Davidson clan, should hold the right flank in the battle.
The Clan Mackintosh, whose leaders also headed the Chattan Confederation, supported the Davidsons, leading the Macphersons to withdraw from the battlefield. The Clan Cameron seized this opportunity and gained the advantage, but the Macphersons were eventually persuaded to rejoin the fight, resulting in a defeat for the Camerons.
The conflict between the Clan Cameron and the Chattan Confederation persisted for many years, culminating in the Battle of the North Inch in 1396, which was attended by Robert III of Scotland and his entire court.
16th century and Glenlivet
Before the Battle of Glenlivet in 1594, which was fought between Protestant troops led by the Earl of Argyll and Catholic troops commanded by the Earl of Huntly, Argyll laid siege to Ruthven Castle. The castle was strongly defended by the Clan Macpherson, who were vassals of Huntly, forcing Argyll to abandon the siege.
17th century and Civil War
In 1618, Andrew Macpherson, the eighth leader of Clan Macpherson, gained ownership of the abbey-castle grange in Strathisla. His son, Euan Macpherson, supported the royalists during the Scottish Civil War and fought alongside James Graham, the 1st Marquess of Montrose.
The tenth chief, Duncan Macpherson of Cluny, lost his right to lead the Chattan Confederation in 1672 when the Privy Council of Scotland favored a Mackintosh instead. Since Duncan had no sons, he was succeeded as the chief of Clan Macpherson by Lachlan Macpherson, the fourth Laird of Nuid, in 1722.
18th-century Jacobite risings
- 1715: The Macpherson clan supported the Jacobite rebellion.
1724: General Wade's report estimated their strength at 220 men.
1745: Chief Euan Macpherson of Cluny was a prominent figure in the Jacobite uprising and participated in the Clifton Moor Skirmish.
March 1746: 300 members of the clan joined the Atholl raids.
1746: William Macpherson, who died at the Battle of Falkirk, is an ancestor of the current clan chief. His brother witnessed the government soldiers burning Cluny's house.
Post-1746: Following the Jacobite defeat at the Battle of Culloden, Cluny managed to evade capture by government forces for nine years, despite a £1000 reward for his arrest.
1755: Cluny eventually fled to France.
1748–1817: Duncan Macpherson of Cluny served in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War.
19th-century estate management
In the early 1800s, Colonel Duncan Macpherson transformed his farms in Badenoch into sheep pastures, increasing their rental value significantly, while raising rents on his multi-tenant farms, such as Lag and Drumgask, led to more depopulation and the dissolution of clan-based land management. His interactions with tenants were often contentious.
- 1812: Colonel Duncan Macpherson confessed to defaming John Macpherson, a tenant farmer at Cluny Mains, while intoxicated at a regimental dinner in Inverness.
1816: A court upheld the challenge to his attempt to evict his nephew, Colonel Barclay Macpherson, along with all his subtenants, from Catlag.
Rev. John Anderson, who was the estate manager for the Duke of Gordon from 1809 to 1838, was connected by marriage to Clan Macpherson and aimed to support the traditional clan tacksman families during difficult times.
1829: When the Duke's lands in Badenoch were put up for sale, Rev. John Anderson preferred buyers from Clan Macpherson.
1817: Ewen Macpherson, also known as Old Cluny, succeeded Colonel Duncan as the clan chief. He began to earn a larger share of his income from shooting leases.
1832: Ewen married into the wealthy Davidson family of Tulloch, who were enslavers in the Caribbean, and the £33,000 his wife brought with her helped fund improvements to the castle and estate. Many Clan Macpherson members were involved in Jamaica's slave economy, and part of their accumulated wealth, including compensation from slave emancipation, returned to Badenoch.
1836: Old Cluny transformed his lands at Benalder and Gallovie into a large deer forest for James Hamilton, Marquis of Abercorn.
1850: He obtained government funding through the Drainage Act to build stronger flood banks along the Spey near Cluny Castle, aiming to convert 300 acres of land into arable fields.
IV. Macpherson Clan Castles
The castles of Clan Macpherson stand as lasting symbols of heritage and strength, each tied to stories that shaped the clan's journey. Let's explore some of the most notable sites connected to their legacy.
Cluny Castle
Newton Castle
Set sail on an odyssey through the illustrious annals of Clan Macpherson with our handpicked collection of tartan creations. Embody the indomitable spirit that characterizes the Macpherson clan, weaving a piece of this noble history into the fabric of your daily existence:
V. Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Macpherson clan motto mean?
The motto, "Touch not the cat but a glove," warns others to respect the clan's strength. It reflects the wildcat's nature: peaceful when unprovoked, but fierce in defense.
Why is Clan Macpherson called the "Clan of the Three Brothers"?
The name comes from Chief Ewan Ban Macpherson and his three sons—Kenneth of Clunie, Iain of Pitman, and Gillies of Invereshie—who established the main family branches.
What battles shaped Clan Macpherson's reputation in Scotland?
Their legacy includes the Battle of Invernahavon in 1370, where a dispute with the Davidsons nearly cost the Chattan Confederation victory, and their courageous stand at the Battle of Falkirk in 1746 during the Jacobite rising.
How was Clan Macpherson connected to the Clan Chattan Confederation?
Clan Macpherson was one of the strongest members of the Chattan Confederation, an alliance of Highland clans. Their relationship with Clan Mackintosh, the traditional captains, was often tense, leading to disputes over leadership and demonstrating their independence and influence.