“THE MASTER OF GRANT.”
LORD STRATHSPEY’S CLAIM FOR THE HEIR OF THE CLAN. (Special to the ‘ Star ”) LONDON. January 25. Lord Strathspey wrote to the London "Star” as follows: \ ou published on January 8 a paragraph stating that we were quite wrong in calling our son “The Master of Grant.” I would be glad to know who authorised you to' publish such a wrong and misleading statement, Pnd I would be obliged if you print another paragraph to the contrary. This term. “Master of Grant,” has nothing to do with the Earldom (Lord Strathspey presumably refers to the senior family honour of the Earldom of Seafield, inherited by his niece) or Barony, but is applied to the eldest son of the Chieftain of the Clan, and I am the thirt}*-first Chief of the Clan Grant. Before you make statements be sure of your facts. I would advise you to be more careful in the future. “The Star” retorted that it was more careful of its facts than was Lord Strathspey, and made the following rejoinder:— It is significant that the two standard peerage works do not accord his heir the style of “Master of Grant.” They refer to him as the Honourable Donald Grant, which is the courtesy style rightly accorded to the sons of barons. We do not think that Lord Strathspey will find his claim recognised by the Lord Chamberlain’s Department. the College of Arms, or any other authority.
The title of “Master” is borne only by the eldest sons of peers of Scotland of the rank of viscount and baron. An examination of the patents of several peerages shows that the title was specifically granted to such eldest sons during the father's lifetime. As Lord Strathspey's barony Ls a United Kingdom creation of 1884, that clearly gives him no claim to designate his son “the Master of Grant.”
His claim that the style attaches to the heir to the chieftainship of a clan is a new one. No other among the numerous Highland chieftains makes such a claim.
“The Star” put the point specifically to the one authority entitled to give judgment, the office of Lyon King of Arms in Edinburgh. Mr Francis 7. Grant, "Rothesay Herald,” replies categorically stating: “The title is borne only by peers’ sons, and I know of no Highland chieftain whose son is entitled to be so designated.”
Lord Strathspey’s advice to “The Star” would seem to be more applicable to himself.
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Bibliographic details
Star (Christchurch), Issue 18406, 7 March 1928, Page 7
Word Count
410“THE MASTER OF GRANT.” Star (Christchurch), Issue 18406, 7 March 1928, Page 7
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