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Here are Housed the Relics and Memorials of Rich Historical
Interest not only to Scottish Clans- men but to all of Whatever Race they may be who are
Attracted by the Story of High Resolve Patriotism and Loyalty.
So reads the proclamation at the door of the Clan House and
Museum in Newtonmore, Scotland. It reflects the desire on the part of Clansmen from Scotland
and abroad to bring together, house and display the history and culture of the clan at home
and abroad.
The Cluny Estate had fell into an unfortunate position
financially during the period leading up to WWII. The Clansmen in Scotland and abroad did
make an effort but were unable to save the estate. and for a time the relics were lost to
the clan. Then on 31 May 1943 Tom Macpherson, now Lord Macpherson of Drumochter made a
report in which he said:
"Thanks to the co-operation of members of the Clan at the Sale
and no serious competition from dealers, I was able, from proceeds of public subscriptions
by members of the Clan at home and abroad, on 3 May 1943, at Wyllie & Lochead's public
sale in Glasgow of the contents of Cluny Castle, to purchase all the principal Relics at
quite reasonable prices." A Glasgow visitor some years later explained the "no serious
competition" refereed to by Lord Macpherson in his report. He had been at the sale and told
of how the anxiety and determination displayed by the Macpherson buyers to regain their
historical Clan possessions, brought about a "gentleman's agreement" which was entered into
by the other potential purchasers to allow the Macpherson's to regain their
treasures.
Museum Curator
Morag is our current Curator for the Clan Macpherson Museum, a post
which she took up the 1st April 2006.
Morag Hunter-Carsch: Born in Grantown-on-Spey, her family home was for some time within 100
yards of the Clan Museum in Newtonmore and she is a Life Member of the Clan Macpherson
Association. Morag's grandmother was Catherine Macpherson born in Strone, Newtonmore
and the wife of Donald Cumming, ex Provost of Kingussie. Her father, Lawrence James
Hunter established the dental practice in Kingussie and was an elder of St Bride's
Church, Newtonmore. Her mother, Mrs. Cathie Hunter, is fondly remembered for her
music at clan ceilidhs. Morag has had a distinguished career in education. After
graduating from Jordanhill College of Education, Glasgow, she taught in
Inverness-shire, including Newtonmore Primary school, before going to Ontario,
Canada where she became a pioneer in the field of teaching children with specific
learning difficulties/ dyslexia and returning to the UK to continue her studies
in Glasgow University. She completed a Master of Education and is a Chartered
Educational Psychologist and Honorary Associate Member of the British Dyslexia
Association (AMBDA). She was President of the UK Literacy Association, has
publications in the fields of literacy, learning and behavioural difficulties and
has given keynote lectures in the UK, Canada, Finland and Malaysia. Since taking
early retirement she has been Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for
Innovation in Raising Educational Achievement (CIREA) at the School of Education,
University of Leicester. Morag's late husband, Dr Henry Carsch, a social scientist
and member of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, was also a Life Member
of the Clan Macpherson Association.

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