Chanter

The historic Feadan Dubh (Black Chanter), is one of the prized possessions of the Museum. Of its origins it can only be said that they are unknown. One story tells that the Chanter fell from Heaven in the Clan Battle at the North Inch at Perth. A story made even more popular by Sir Walter Scott in his "Fair Maid of Perth, published in 1828.

That the Chanter was in the hands of the clan from the earliest of times, seems fairly certain in that the chanter was returned to the clan by Grant of Glenmoriston who sent the Chanter to Ewan Macpherson, the young chief of Clan Macpherson in 1821 with the understanding that it had belonged to the clan in the distant past. The clan has always felt that as long as they retained the chanter, things would be well for the clan and the one who possessed it. One of the myths around it is that it was consecrated or blessed by either St. Columba or St. Ciaran.

It's importance to Cluny and Clan Mhuirich can be seen in the letter written by Cluny to Arch. Fraser who helped arrange the return of the chanter from the Grants. Cluny in his letter calls Fraser by the title "Restorer of the Chanter."

The Chanter may or may not have been played at the Battle at the North Inch of Perth, but it was played by Hugh Macpherson, the Vice Chairman at the opening of the Clan house in 1952