Posts for September, 2022

Roderick Macpherson, Unicorn Pursuivant – “1672-2022: the 350th Anniversary of the Lyon Court Controversy over Cluny’s Coat of Arms”

Take part and make some art! Author and artist, Eileen Budd returns to the Macpherson Museum to share insights into illustrating Ossian stories, including entry level character design techniques. Join Eileen in creating some Ossian inspired artwork. Suitable for beginner artists of all ages, drawing supplies provided.

Join storyteller and author, Eileen Budd, for tales of heroes, warriors, druids and ancient Scotland. Learn about the power of Ossianic storytelling, how these stories are rooted in the Highlands, and how they transformed our understanding of the natural world.

On April 22, 1915, the course of WWI changed when the German forces released 168 tons of chlorine gas on the Western Front, marking the world’s first large-scale poison gas attack. It wouldn’t be the last. Through a series of chance meetings and coincidences, Dr. Cluny Macpherson of Newfoundland created a prototype gas mask that offered a means of protecting troops from this new weapon.

We invite you to celebrate the birthday of James ‘Ossian’ Macpherson with a dram at the obelisk (if the weather permits) and hear about his extraordinary work and life.

Captain John Macpherson, also known as The Black Officer was born in Glentruim in 1724. He earned a black reputation because many believed his methods of recruiting weren’t always ethical. It’s said that Capt. Macpherson attended every event in the Badenoch area, treating local men to copious amounts of whisky before pressing a shilling in their hands, declaring them enlisted in the King’s Army.

The Black Officer’s Soup Ladle was used by the Captain to serve recruits a bowl of scotch broth. The ladle even made an appearance on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow!!

In this workshop, you get to learn more about the story of Captain John Macpherson, while Michael instructs you on how to carve your very own miniature version of the soup ladle.

As the handling of very sharp tools and knifes is necessary for this workshop, there will be an age restriction and only those aged 18 and over can attend.

Gordon Hamlett, author of the Best Birdwatching Sites guide for the Scottish Highlands, takes a light-hearted look at the trials and tribulations of researching and writing a birdwatching guide.

Mike Weedon has been keeping a year list around Peterborough for the last 20 years. There are 135 ‘core’ species every competent birder should be able to see each year without too much trouble. The rest are ‘elite’ birds which require an extra bit of luck, skill or twitching to see (or hear). Mike will introduce some of the juicy ‘core’ species he expects to see each year, as well as some of those ‘elites’ which are so desired!

To set you up for a successful week’s birdwatching, Gordon Hamlett explains the art of identifying birds without looking too closely at them. There’s lots of useful information, as well as the reassurance that even the experts make mistakes.

Who Do You Think You Are?

Where are you from? Who are your people? What’s your story? Beyond the ties of blood, name, clan and nation, we are shaped by the stories passed down to us about ourselves and our forebears. In this interactive workshop, we will explore how the stories of our heritage travel and change across time and place. Come to share your stories and discover how connected we are. No preparation or historical knowledge required!