An evening with Alexander McCall Smith in support of the Clan Macpherson Museum

The New Club, Edinburgh, Saturday 1st October 2016

On 1st October the Clan Macpherson Museum is organising a major fund-raising initiative in support of the Museum at which the internationally acclaimed author, Alexander McCall Smith, will be guest of honour. This black-tie event will take place at the exclusive New Club in Edinburgh and include a raffle and an auction of prizes donated by friends and supporters of the Museum from across Scotland and beyond.

Macphersons and friends of the Clan, Association and Museum are warmly invited to attend the event and, if they can�t come in person, to participate in the auction.

Pipes will welcome the guests to the New Club and a clarsach will entertain them at a champagne reception during which Alexander will also speak. He has come to writing later in life but his works are now widely read across the English-speaking world and beyond. He is proud of his Macpherson ancestry, wears Macpherson tartan and has even featured Macphersons in some of his novels.

A buffet will follow and then the auction comprising a wonderful selection of truly unique prizes. These include�

Lot 1: A Macpherson Experience, comprising a weekend (19, 20, 21 November 2016) in a cottage on the historic Glentruim estate. A reception and guided tour of the museum. Signed copies of Macpherson books. And even a chance of roe deer stalking.
Lot 2: A Whisky Tasting with Charles MacLean, Master of the Quaich - Charles has been writing about whisky for 30 years - The Times describes him as �Scotland�s leading whisky expert� - and has published over a dozen books on the subject. He presents talks and tastings all over the world, and recently starred as Rory McAlastair, Master of the Quaich, in Ken Loach�s award winning film The Angels� Share. This tasting of five unusual malts will be for up to 12 people in his own �Dramming Room� at Hillend House.
Lot 3: A guided visit for up to six people around Abbotsford House near Melrose, led by James Holloway, Chairman of the Abbotsford Trust. James was Director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery from 1997 to 2012 and oversaw its recent renovation. He now chairs the Abbotsford Trust whose aim is to preserve and promote the home of Sir Walter Scott.
Lot 4: McSween�s The Chieftain � a chance to purchase the world�s most famous haggis producer�s giant haggis � a meal fit for no fewer than 16 people. And not only that, having it piped in by Jamie Thain and addressed James McSween at your private dinner at home.
Lot 5: A Highland Dinner, Bed & Breakfast - donated by Lachie and Marion Mackintosh, in their beautiful house in Newtonmore. One night for 4 or two nights for 2 people.
Lot 6: Speyside Distillery guided tour and 3 bottles of their Malt Whisky plus a night in their cottage for two.

Please note that dates, where not stated, have to be agreed with donator and winner.

If you are interested in attending the event, please fill in the ticket application form and send it to Museum Treasurer, Valerie Macpherson - . Tickets cost £50 per head.

If you would like to bid for one of the auction items, please send an email to Valerie indicating which item you would like to bid for and what your bid is in GBP(£). This will be passed to the auctioneer on 1st October.

Bids should reach Valerie no later than Wednesday 28th September who will inform those bidding of their success shortly after the event and, where appropriate, arrange payment.

The Trustees of the Macpherson Museum thank the many supporters of this event for their great generosity.