A better setting for the Murray of Atholl

[creagdhubh]

Beautiful hair sporrans as well, I might add. Several years ago, I commissioned the sporran makers at L&M Highland Outfitters, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, to produce a bespoke sporran molach. The design is based upon a hair sporran worn by Lachlan Macpherson of Strathmashie and Catlodge, also known as Lachlan Mor, since he was Champion of Scotland during the nineteenth-century. This design is very similar to what the pipers and officers wear in the Atholl Highlanders, a style of cantle and 6 tassles, which I am quite fond of.

My version is indeed made of a white horsehair body, 6 short tassles of black horsehair, silver thistle embossed cones, silver thistle embossed cantle trimming with a black patent leather interior, and a silver thistle affixed to the center of the cantle. I plan to have the thistle removed and affix my bespoke silver badge (courtesy of metalsmith, Garth Duncan of Skye) of Na Dionadairean Clann Mhuirich, or "The Guardians of the Clan Macpherson", of which I was personally awarded several years ago by my Chief, Sir William Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie, TD. I would like to have other colour combinations made in the same sporran design and style (grey and black, grey and white, black and white, brown and white, brown and black, etc) at some point in the future.

My Na Dionadairean Clann Mhuirich (The Guardians of the Clan Macpherson) bespoke silver badge.


Lachlan Mor in the Macpherson dress tartan (and Ewan Macpherson) painted by Victorian artist, Kenneth MacLeay, RSA.


Detail of my hair sporran.


Another photo - sorry it's a wee bit grainy.


Slainte,