CLUNY CASTLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 38, 14 February 1934, Page 9

CLUNY CASTLE.

CLAN CHATTAN APPEAL. TRUST TO CONTROL ESTATE. The Cluny Castle estate, over which the Macpliersoiis of Cluny h'.ve presided .. as chiefs for centuries, is for sale, and in order to save tlie historic property for "® the nation, Captain M. Cheyne-Macpher- . ..son arrived in Auckland on Saturday, in the course of a campaign for funds from the descendants of the clan distributed within and outside the ■"Empire. • - The destiny of the castle, or any part r .-of the estate which may he acquired by . means of this united effort, lie thinks, . should be controlled by a trust represeu- ' tative of the contributors. In the event of the subscribed fund being insufficient '"/to meet the major objective, it is hoped that there will be at least sufficient money for the purchase of a part of Craigclhu, the hill above Cluny, from - - which the Macpliersoiis took their rallying cry, and to establish there a hostel '•* with library and record room which the Macphersons, their clan and Scots from overseas, might visit. This enterprise is »•' estimated to cost £3000, but the pur-. chase of the castle with any substantial 'f part of the estate would involve a con- . f iderable sum. A proposal has been made that if Cluny Castle is retrieved in the manner being aimed at for the clan, ■ : that the last "Lady Cluny" (Mrs. A. C. Macpherson) should make the place her home for at least a part of each year. Captain Cheyne-Macplierson gave the names of Macphersons and other promi- ; rient Scotsmen, who have identified themselves with the appeal, including - the Rt. Hon. Sir lan Macpherson, Bt., ? ' P.C., K.C., M.P., Messrs. William A. Macpherson, C.5.1., of Blairgowrie, ■ •• Alastair Macpherson-Grant of BallindalJoch and Invershie, Charles Brewster Macpherson of Balavil, Duncan D. Mac- , pherson of Gaskmore, Grant R. Francis F.S.A. (author of "Scotland's Royal Line"), Ewen F. D. Macpherson and Captain Duncan Macpherson of Clentruim. When CPrince Charlie sought a custodian for the treasure buried in Scotland for the sustenance of his followers and dependants, he selected Cluny Macpherson for the task and responsibility, and for nine years the chief was a hunted fugitive in his own mountains, carrying out the Prince's wishes. The son of this loyal chief, Duncan Macpherson of Cluny, became one of George lll.'s distinguished soldiers in the war of American Independence, and was restored to his estate " and permitted to rebuild his father's castlc. Two of his grandsons were regimental commanding officers under Queen Victoria, and the youngest, Albert . Cameron, recently died. Support For Movement. Captain W. Cheyne-Macplierson, who is descended from a younger brother of Ewen Macpherson of Cluny, the friend ' of Prince Charlie, states that already he has had considerable encouragement 111 his mission from the United States and Canada. Before he left London he formed a Clan Chattan/' Association, which also is using its influence in the movement He is hoping to gain the recognition also of various Scottish societies and institutions in New Zealand. The traditional Glengarry" emblem of the Clan Chattan carries the form of a cat in token of the fact that the tribe was in early times described by Julius Caesar as the "Catti" people of Scotland. Captain C'heyne-Macplierscn intends to leave next week for Australia, and will he back in New Zealand in a month 01 two.