Sitters' Details

1 John Grant

Born in the village of Auchindryne, Braemar, 10th August, 1810. His father, Alexander Grant, was born 1771; he was by trade a heckler (flaxdresser) in the winter, and a sawyer in the Braemar forests, during the summer. In 1818 he removed, with his family, from Braemar to Easter Balmoral, where he was employed as gamekeeper and ground officer, by the Earl of Fife (the proprietor at that time), in whose service he continued until his death, in 1846. His wife, Ann MacIntosh, from Coldrach, Braemar, is still alive. She was born in 1781, and is a fine, hale old woman, living in a cottage built for her by H.R.H. the Prince Consort, in Balmoral village. There were three sons, two of whom are now dead, and one daughter.
John Grant, the subject of the present sketch, was in his eighth year, when his father removed to Balmoral. For nearly half a century, he has traversed the woods and wilds of that varied estate, and his eye is familiar with every feature of the country. For several years he assisted his father in his duties, and in 1822 he was employed as gillie by Sir Robert Gordon, at that time, tenant of Balmoral. In 1839 he was made keeper, and held that situation until the death of Sir Robert, in 1847. After that event, he was engaged the same year, as head Forester by H.R.H. the Prince Consort, and entrusted with the management of the Balmoral deer-forest. For twelve years he was the constant attendant of the Prince, when deer-stalking; and since the lamented death of his Royal master (who had a great regard for him), John Grant continues at Balmoral, as the Queen's Head Keeper, and resides at Croft, a house built for him on the property. He married, in 1841, Elizabeth Robbie, from the Spittal, and has six sons, one of who is in the Royal Establishment, and one daughter, called Victoria. He is an excellent and most trustworthy man, very straight-forward, shrewd, and discreet, and devotedly attached to his employers.
John Grant's grandfather lived and died in Braemar; the family came there originally from Strathspey, and belong to the clan of the Grants.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

John Grant (1810-1879). Grant was permitted, on the grounds of age, to wear trousers rather than the kilt like the rest of the Queen's retainers. He retired as Head Keeper in 1875, and on his death the Queen wrote that she felt very much 'the passing away of this old, favourite & faithful servant, of my beloved Husband, - bound up with our first brightest years, in the dear Highlands.' In the background, a view of the mountain Lochnagar on the Balmoral estate.

 

2 John Brown, Her Majesty's Personal Servant

Born at Crathienaird, near Balmoral, December 28th, 1827. His father, John Brown, formerly tenant at Crathienaird, and afterwards at the Bush, both farms on the Invercauld property, is still alive; he was in youth a schoolmaster; he married Margaret Leys, daughter of Charles Leys, blacksmith at Aberarder, and had nine sons, of whom six survive, and two daughters.
John, the second son, the subject of this notice, began work at the age of thirteen. In the year 1849 he became one of the Balmoral gillies, and was in very frequent attendance upon the Queen. In 1851 he permanently entered the Royal Service. By good conduct and intelligence, he gradually rose, and was appointed, 1858, the Queen's Personal Servant in Scotland; this appointment was, in February, 1865, extended to wherever Her Majesty may be; and in December of the same year, Brown was promoted to be an upper servant. Characteristic honesty, steadiness, and devoted faithfulness have uniformly marked his career.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

John Brown (1827-1883). Brown wears the grey jacket, kilt and hose of half-mourning instituted for him by the Queen after the death of the Prince Consort. From his appointment as Personal Servant to the Queen in 1865, Brown was on duty daily in the south as well as in Scotland. Osborne House is seen in the background. The Queen's increasing dependence on Brown has been frequently misconstrued. She found him the Perfect servant: 'most useful, so calm, quick & strong'. On his death Sir Henry Ponsonby wrote of him: 'He was the only person who could fight and make the Queen do what she did not wish. He did not always succeed nor was his advice always the best. But I believe he was honest, and with all his want of education, his roughness, his prejudices and other faults he was undoubtedly a most excellent Servant to her'. Exhibited: Royal Scottish Academy 1870

In his book 'The Empress Brown' by Tom Cullen in 1969, the author spoke of MacLeay's two books: "In this unique work, portraits of a select few of the Royal retainers are shown cheek-by-jowl with those of representatives of the great Highland clans; thus Brown finds himself unexpectedly in the distinguished company of MacDonalds, Gordons, Frasers and Forbes. But it is a Brown who is totally unrecognisable: the granite-like features have been softened, the chin sanded down, the mouth given an almost feminine expression. He is shown wearing a grey hunting kilt and a modern turn-down collar and Royal blue cravat such as no gillie on Deeside would be seen wearing even in his coffin.
A massive gold watch is looped high in his waistcoat, a grey plaid neatly folded and pendant from his arm. His dagger is visible above the right stocking top. This son of a crofter who started life as a stable hand is made to look like the foppish fashion-plate of some Edinburgh kilt-maker. "

Cullen asserted that this was due to the direct intervention of Queen Victoria who wished him to be portrayed as much more of a 'gentleman' to counteract her family's often ascerbic references to him.

 

3 William Ross, Her Majesty's Piper

Born in the parish of Knockbain, Ross-shire, 27th March 1823, on the property of Sir Ewen Mackenzie, of Kilcoy. His mother, Margaret Young, died when he was seven years old, and his father, Andrew Ross, a farmer, married again, and emigrated, in 1832, to Upper Canada, where he still lives, near Coburg.
William Ross, the only son by his first wife, remained under the charge of his grandmother, till he enlisted in the 42nd Regiment Royal Highlanders, 1st March 1839, then commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Middleton. William Ross at once commenced learning the bagpipes. He served with his Regiment (in which he bore an excellent character) in Corfu, Malta, Bermuda and Great Britain, till he was selected to be the Queen's Piper, 10th May 1854, which situation he continues to occupy, and is much respected in the Royal household. He married, in 1852, Mary Davidson (who died in 1861), and has two sons and one daughter. Some of his near relations still reside at Kilcoy.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

William Ross (1823 - 1891). Wearing a kilt of Royal Stewart tartan, with a banner embroidered with the Royal Arms of England. In the background a view of the East Terrace of Windsor Castle. An expert on pipe music, Ross often adjudicated at Highland Gatherings in Scotland and abroad. He ran a bagpipe business in London and had special permission to live outside Buckingham Palace. In 1876 he published a collection of pipe music, the result of thirty years of research. It contained nearly 400 tunes collected from Scottish and Irish pipers and opens with his own 'Prince Consort's Lament'. Ross was still in the Queen's employ at the time of his death.

4 Archibald Anderson Brown, HRH Prince Leopold's Valet

Born October 1842. Ninth and youngest son of John Brown. Tenant of Bush Farm. Archibald Brown entered the Royal Service at Windsor, 23rd November 1863, commencing as Steward's-Room Waiter. He became Wardrobe-Man and Footman to H.R.H. Prince Leopold, 8th August, 1865; and in April, 1886 on account of his excellent conduct, and devotion to Prince Leopold's service, was promoted to be His Royal Highness's Valet.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Archibald Brown (1842-1912). Wearing Balmoral tartan; standing outside Balmoral Castle where the Royal Standard, as used in England, is flying. Like his elder brother, John, Archibald Brown was less loved by other members of her family than by the Queen to whom he seemed 'an excellent, trustworthy young man'. The young Prince Leopold found the Browns very insolent and impudent towards everybody. Archibald became Gentleman Porter in 1875, and Page of the Backstairs in 1888. Exhibited: Royal Scottish Academy 1870.

5 Donald Stewart. One of Her Majesty's Keepers at Balmoral

Born at Bualtich, a small farm on the Abergeldie estate, 1827. His father, also Donald Stewart, was the tenant of Bualtich, and married Mary Gordon; he is still and active and robust man, although aged 81.
In 1846, the younger Donald Stewart entered the service of the late Sir Robert Gordon, as stable-helper and assistant keeper. In 1848 he was engaged by H.R.H. the Prince Consort, as under-forester and assistant to John Grant, with the charge of the deer-hounds. His good conduct, activity, and hardihood, recommended him to the favourable notice of His Royal Highness, and to the Queen, in whose service he still continues. He married, in 1853, Margaret Thompson, and has five children.
Donald's great-grandfather, Charles Stewart, came to Deeside, from Argyleshire, 1693. Various reasons are given for Charles' departure from his native county, one of which is the supposition that he was engaged with Argyle's regiment, at the massacre of Glencoe. He became tenant of the Farm of Camlet, on the Abergeldie property, and died there at the age of ninety-five. His son (also named Charles) died at Bovagglie, 1883, aged eighty-one. He was the father of the elder Donald Stewart, born in 1786, and still living. The family thus appear to be singularly long-lived, and the distance between the generations, great.

Charles Duncan

Born, 1826, in the parish of Cathie. His father, Charles Duncan, had a cottage near the farm of Tynabech, nearly opposite Balmoral Castle; he was a wheelwright, and died a few years after the birth of Charles. The widow, May Grant, with her family, removed to Braemar soon after her husband's death.
Charles Duncan, whilst living in Braemar, learnt the trade of house carpenter, and became an excellent workman. He was also very active and energetic, and won the prize at the Braemar gathering, 1848 and 1849, for the long race, from the old castle of Braemar to the summit of Craig Cheunnich. In the same year he was the successful competitor for tossing the caber. He was employed as gillie at Balmoral in 1849, and in 1850, was engaged as keeper in the Royal Service, which situation he still retains. He has taken every opportunity of improving his mind, and has always been very attentive to his duties. He married, in 1851, Jean Stewart, and has five children; his residence is now at Roebrech.
The Duncans resided for many years in Glendee, but the time of their first settlement there, or of their subsequent removal to Crathie, is not known. Of old they followed the clan Chattan.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Donald Stewart (1827-1909) and Charles Duncan (b. 1826) . Demonstrating the informal and formal Highland dress; Stewart wears a kilt of Balmoral tartan, and Duncan a kilt and plaid of Royal Stewart tartan. Stewart wears hosetops rather than socks. In the background a view of the valley of the River Dee.
Stewart succeeded John Grant as Head Keeper and Forester in 1874, and retired in 1901. Duncan left the Queen's service in November 1868 to become a forester to the Prince of Wales, at Birkhall. In 1879 he retired with a diseased knee joint, and was pensioned from the following year. As late as 1899 he 'shot as well as ever' and won the annual target shooting competition at Balmoral. In the watercolour he appears to be wearing two shooting medals. Both men had been 'much liked by the Prince Consort _ the supreme praise in the Queen's eyes.

6. Archibald Fraser Macdonald. H.R.H. The P rince of Wales's Jäger.

Born 19th May, 1842, at Inchnacardoch, near Fort Augustus. His father, John MacDonald, was born in Radenoch, Inverness-shire. He had charge of General Porter's deer forest, on the side of Loch Ness, for several years. During the Queen's stay at Ardverikie, in 1847, the Prince Consort, attended by Mr. George Edward Anson (his Private Secretary), went to Inverness in the Royal Yacht through the Caledonian Canal. At Fort Augustus, his Royal Highness saw John Macdonald (who was already known to Mr. Anson), and entered into conversation about a Scotch terrier which Macdonald had with him,. A few months after this interview, John Macdonald was appointed Jäger to his Royal Highness the Prince Consort, in which position he remained till his death (of decline), in May 1860. He was a very respectable and remarkably fine-looking man. During the earlier years of the Royal residence at Balmoral, he generally attended the Queen and the Prince in their Highland excursions. John Macdonald married Anne, daughter of John and Katherine Macdonald (maiden name Fraser), who lived near Invermoriston, Inverness-shire. They had five sons, - one of whom died in infancy, - and three daughters. The eldest daughter died of decline in 1866, aged eighteen. The eldest son, John, born in 1838, was in the diplomatic service. In 1859 he was appointed Student-Interpreter to the Consulate-General of Japan and in that capacity  attended the Japanese ambassadors during their visit to England in 1862. He was appointed First Assistant and Accountant at Jeddo, May 1865, but died suddenly of paralysis, April 20th, 1866, at Yokohama. He was a young man of great promise, much esteemed by his official superiors, and would probably have risen rapidly in his profession. The second son, Ewen, born April, 1840, was for some time resident land agent on Viscount Falkland's Cornish estates: he is now in the Queen's service as Agent at Claremont.
The third son, Archibald Fraser, the subject of this notice, entered His Royal Highness the Prince Consort's service as Wardrobe Mane, April 1860. After the sad calamity of December, 1861, he was appointed Wardrobe Man to the Prince of Wales, and in August, 1862, Jäger to His Royal Highness, which situation he still occupies and is a good servant.
Archibald Fraser Macdonald's paternal grandfather, John Macdonald, was born in Laggan, Inverness-shire, and was Tenant of the Farm of Balgown, in that parish. He was nearly related to his Chief, Glengarry, only one family intervening between these Macdonalds and the succession to the Glengarry estate before its sale.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Archibald Macdonald (1842-1890). Signed and dated 1867
Wearing MacDonald of the Isles and Sleat tartan, and brooch, bonnet and sporran with the Prince of Wales's feathers. In the background a view of the corrie of Lochnagar. The Prince of Wales arranged for this drawing of his jaeger to be made, and probably paid for it. Macdonald stayed in the Prince's employ until he had a stroke in 1886. Thereafter he lived on the Sandringham estate.

 

7 William Macdonald. H.R.H. The Prince of Wales's Piper

Born 1843, at Esgard, in Glen Urquhart. His father, Alexander Macdonald, was born in 1807, in Glen Urquhart, on the Earl of Seafield's property, and is a sawmiller in Lord Seafield's employment. He married Mary Chisholm, born in the same glen, and has three sons and two daughters. The eldest son is a tenant in Strathspey; the second, Alexander, is piper to Mr. Macpherson of Glen Truim; one of the daughters, wife of Donald Macdougall, smith, in Glen Urquhart, was painted by Phillips, in one of his last sketches, entitled "The Cradle."

William Macdonald, the youngest son, was two years in Badenoch, in the employment of Mr. Macpherson, of Glen Truim, as gamekeeper, and afterwards two and a half years with John Fisher, Esq., tenant of the Shooting of Colonel Macpherson, of Bellville, also in Badenoch. William Macdonald was appointed Piper to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, in 1865. He is a very unassuming man and a good servant. His ancestors followed Glengarry, as their Chief.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

William Macdonald (b. 1843). Wearing the tartan of the Duke of Rothesay, one of the titles of the Prince of Wales, and formal dress, with elaborate shoe buckles and tiepin, and cap-badge with the Scottish crest and oak foliage. The banner is embroidered with the arms of the Prince of Wales. In the background is seen Abergeldie Castle. A forty year lease of the Castle had been acquired for the Prince in 1848, and the house had recently been enlarged when this drawing was made. The painting of this watercolour was arranged and probably paid for by the Prince of Wales.

8 James Morgan. Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein's servant

Born October, 1838, at Geanachall Cottage, in the Parish of Crathie, on the estate of Abergeldie. His father, John Morgan, was a tailor, and lived at Geanachall till his death, January, 1867; he married Johanna Cameron, whose family came into Aberdeenshire from a distance.

James Morgan commenced as a gillie at Balmoral, in 1857. He was frequently in attendance on H.R.H., the Prince Consort, when deer-stalking, and since 1861, on the Queen and the princesses; inconsequence of this, he was taken permanently into the Royal Service in June 1866. His eldest brother, John Morgan, was engaged by H.R.H. the Prince Consort, 1858, as keeper, and now has charge of the White Month, and other distant parts of the Balmoral Deer Forest, with the Glassalt Sheil, at the Head of Loch Muick, for his residence. Both the brothers are extremely steady and well conducted.
James Morgan's grandfather removed from Micras to Tornanan, upon the Abergeldie property, about the year 1795. He was for twenty years a well-known character in Dee-side, as carrier between Abergeldie and Aberdeen. The family from which he was descended, came from Glen-Shee, in Perthshire, and settled in Micras, a few years after the marked era of 1745. There are still several families of the name of Morgan in Braemar, Glencairn, and Ballater. They joined the following of the Farquharsons of Glen-Shee in all feuds. The Clan MacKay, which is separately illustrated, bore the name of Clan Morgan in Sutherland and Caithness.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

James Morgan (1838-1890). Wearing hill dress with kilt of Balmorals tartan and seen against a background of Deeside. In 1871 Morgan left the employment of Prince and Princess Christian of Schleswig- Holstein following a 'misunderstanding', and returned to the Queen's service, first acting as a gillie, appointed a footman in 1872 and later a Livery Porter.

9 Colin Campbell, Argyllman

Born at Kenmore, on the west shore of Lochfyne, parish of Inverary 1810. His father, Duncan Campbell, was a fisherman and tenant at Kenmore, on the Duke of Argyll's property. Duncan married Ann Bell, of the same parish, and had eight sons and three daughters; he died in February 1868, aged 84.
Colin Campbell, the subject of this notice, follows his father's occupation as fisherman and tenant, and also resides at Kenmore; he married Katherine Bell* (not related to his mother), and had six children.
His grandfather, also named Colin Campbell, lived at Kenmore as fisherman; he died of cholera, 1832; his wife's name was Janet Macvicar. The great-grandfather of the subject of the portrait witnessed, as a spectator, the battle of Falkirk.

*Bell is a common name in the parish of Inverary; they were originally MacMillans, descended from the MacMillans of Locharkaig, followers of Locheil, but changed their name when living in Campbell country.

John Campbell. Breadalbane Man

Born January 5th 1801, at Aberfeldy, Perthshire. His father, Alexander Campbell was a labourer on the Marquis of Breadalbane's property. He served as a corporal in the Breadalbane Fencibles;** he died in 1856 aged 80. His wife's name was Mary Kennedy; and they had three sons and two daughters.
John Campbell, the subject of this notice, lives at Aberfeldy, and works as a quarryman. He was one of the Queen's body-guard of Breadalbane Highlanders during the Queen's visit to Taymouth, 1842. He married Margaret Stewart, and has three children.
John's grandfather, Donald Campbell, married Janet Menzies. The family have been on the Breadalbane property for upwards of six generations.

**Embodied in 1793, and disbanded in 12798, š except the 3rd battalion, continued till 1802. The whole force was 2300 men, of whom 1600 were from the Breadalbane estate.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Colin Campbell and a Breadalbane clansman. Colin Campbell wears Campbell or Government Tartan, the Black Watch. The other, unidentified, figure wears the uniform of the 3rd Perthshire Rifle Volunteer Corps and a kilt of Campbell of Breadalbane tartan. The watercolour shows what is probably a unique contemporary illustration of the muzzle-loading Enfield rifle. The background is possibly a view of Loch Fyne. This watercolour was sent to the Duchess of Athole on 14 October 1867 by MacLeay. He had drawn the Breadalbane man at Aberfeldy and the Duke of Argyll's man at Inveraray. Perhaps the Queen did not approve of the second sitter's portrait. In the lithograph he was removed from the composition and another Breadalbane man, John Campbell replaced him. The Rifle Volunteer man was coachman of the Aberfeldy and Callander coach, and had only been able to give MacLeay short sittings on alternate days, which had caused 'a good deal of delay'.

 

10 John Chisholm

Born in 1839, at Glasebarry, Glen Cannich, in the parish of Kilmorack, on the property of the Chisholm. His father Roderick Chisholm is a farmer, he married Catherine Chisholm, and is still alive, aged seventy-eight.
John Chisholm, having lost his mother when six months old, remained under the charge of his maternal grand-father for some years. From the age of eighteen he has been a ploughman, with a relative near Beauly, and is unmarried.
His grandfather's name was Alexander Chisholm, and he also married a Catherine Chisholm. John's great-grandfather was called William o'Chruidh, or William of the Cattle, as he possessed a fine herd. He bore the mark of a blow on his head from the stock of a gun, which he received in a fight with some Lochaber cattle lifters, to whom he was well known' he was called 'The strong black Gillie of the Chisholm,' on account of his great muscular power. William's father was killed at the Battle of Culloden.

Colin Cameron

Born in 1843, at Strathpfeffer, parish of Foddertuy, on the property of the Countess of Cromartie. His father, Donald Cameron, is still alive, aged seventy, and lives in Strathpfeffer. He married Uni (or Hannah) Stewart.
Colin Cameron is a policeman, now stationed at Newton-More, and formerly at Fort William, he is a member of the Lochaber Volunteer Corps, and is unmarried.
His grandfather's name was John Cameron, and his grandmother was Lilly McKenzie.
The ancestor of the family moved from Lochaber as one of a bodyguard of Camerons, sent to Ross-shire, with a daughter of Locheil of the time, who married MacKenzie of Allangrange.

John Cameron

Born 1812, at Meoble, Parish of Ardnamurchan, on the property of Sir Ewen Cameron of Fassifern. His father, Ewen Cameron, was a ferryman at Lochy Ferry, having removed to Locheil's property soon after 1812. He married Jessie Cameron, from Dochmarsie, Lochaber.
John Cameron is a farmer at Mucomer. He was at one time manager for the late Glengarry. His first wife was Jessie, daughter of John Cameron, farmer, Glenroy, and grand-daughter of Captain Ewen Cameron, brother of Sir Allan Cameron of Erracht, who raised the 79th, or Cameron Highlanders, in 1793. John Cameron married secondly in 18672, Angusina, daughter of Angus Campbell, merchant at Arnisdale, Glenelg, and by here has three children.
His grandfather was Donald Cameron, of Invereilort. Previous to settling at Invereilort, he attended the present Locheil's great-grandfather, Charles Cameron, as personal servant during his exile in France. Donald is said to have been afterwards shielded from some little smuggling difficulties, by the circumstances of the Captain of the Revenue Cutter having been at School with his old master. He married Mary Cameron, of the branch called 'Sliochd Dugh.'

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

John Chisholm, Colin Stewart Cameron and John Cameron. Of these men the one in the centre wears a Glen and the others wear flat Balmoral bonnets. Chisholm wears a simplified form of his clan tartan. His chief paid all his expenses and presented his clansman with the 'handsome Dress and Appointments' in which he was painted. These include a sword with an unusual basket hilt with a square hole punched in the side plate. Both Camerons wear the kilt and plaid of Cameron of Lochiel tartan. Each wears a dirk, but with different positioning of the knife and fork. Colin Cameron, although a member of the Lochaber Volunteer Corps, is not shown in full uniform. He wears cockades on his kilt. In the background is a view of Loch Arkaig, Inverness- shire.

11 Duncan Drummond

Born in 1800 at Trian, in the parish of Comrie, now the property of Lord Willoughby. His father, Donald Drummond was tenant of Trian; he married Margret McLaren, from the same parish, and died 38 years ago, aged seventy.
Duncan Drummond was for a short time gamekeeper to the late Lord Willoughby, in Glen Artney forest. Since his father's death he has been tenant of the farm of Trian. He was one of Lady Willoughby's Highlanders at Drummond Castle on the occasion of the Queen's visit there in 1842. He married Janet, daughter of John McIsaak, of the same parish, in 1831; she died in 1852, leaving six sons and two daughters.
Duncan's grandfather, also Duncan Drummond, was tenant of Trian, and married Janet King. One of his sons, a brother of Donald Drummond, is still alive, aged ninety, and in full use of his faculties. He states that his own grand-father and great-grandfather were also tenants of Trian. They were a race of honest, industrious, and careful men.

Andrew Murray
Born August 1806, at Crofthead, Strathallan, Perthshire. His father, Hugh Murray, was the tenant of Crofthead; he was born in Cowden, a farm near Comrie; he married Elizabeth Thompson, and had three sons and two daughters.
Andrew, the second son, and the subject of this notice, has been for many years tenant of Drumness farm, on the property of Viscount Strathallan. Andrew is a man of much shrewd humour, and a very keen curler. He married Margaret Gorrie in 1851, and has three sons and two daughters.
His grandfather, John Murray, was the tenant of Cowden. His father (Andrew's great-grandfather) fought at Culloden, and defended William, fourth Viscount of Strathallan, when mortally wounded at the battle.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Duncan Drummond and Andrew Murray. Drummond wears plaid, waistcoat and kilt of clan tartan. Murray wears a kilt of Murray of Tullibardine, a fox-skin sporran and an unusual tartan cockade in his bonnet. In the background is a view of Strathearn, Perthshire.

 

12 James Bowman

Born at the Killoch, Invercauld, 12th March, 1814. His father, John Bowman, was born at Auchtaven; he went, as a boy, to herd cattle at Invercauld when the present Colonel Farquharson's great-grandfather was the proprietor, and afterwards became keeper, residing first at Auchnagymlan, afterwards at the Killoch, and lastly at Balloch Buie, all on the Invercauld property. He lived to see five generations of the Invercauld family, and died in 1866 aged ninety-nine. His wife Margaret MacHardy, was the daughter of Allaster MacHardy, farmer at Auchallater, in Braemar. She died in 1839 aged fifty-eight. They had three sons and nine daughters, the latter all living.
James Bowman, the third and only surviving son, commenced as a herd-boy at Invercauld; at the age of seventeen he entered the service of Mr. Grant, of Kilgraston, as garden-apprentice. He was afterwards gardener at Glendoig, Perthshire, and Balloch Castle, Dumbartonshire; but in 1837, on account of his father's failing health, James Bowman returned to Invercauld, to assist and succeed him as keeper, which situation he has held ever since, residing at the Balloch Buie Lodge. He is a very active and indefatigable man, and frequently attended the Prince Consort when deer-stalking. He acted as guide to the Queen and His Royal Highness, on the occasion of Her Majesty's first ascent of Lochnagar, 1848.
Bowman's grandfather, William Bowman, was tenant of the farm of Auchtaven; his wife's name was Janet Cattanach.

 

William Brown

Born 26th March, 1835, at Crathienaird. Sixth son of John Brown, senior. William Brown is now tenant of the Bush Farm, on the Invercauld property (which his father formerly occupied); he bears an excellent character, and is a good and industrious servant.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

James Bowman and William Brown. Both men wear the Farquharson family livery, with plaid and kilt of Farquharson tartan, in which they would have attended the Braemar Gatherings. Bowman became keeper of the Balloch Buie forest when the Queen bought that estate in 1868. He died in September 1885 after an accident in which he became caught up in a wire fence near the road between the Garbh Allt and Invercauld and was found by his sister after lying out in the open for nineteen hours.

13 Charles MacHardy

Born at the Lynn of Quoich on the Earl of Fife's property, 16th February, 1824. His father, John MacHardy (vide Notice XIII) , was born at Auchallater, 1806, and is still alive; he began as a Shepherd, but at eighteen went as Keeper to Sir Henry Goodricke, then tenant at Mar Lodge, and secondly to Mr. Duff, of Innes, tenant of Glen Dee. After their respective deaths, he was Head Keeper to the late Duke of Leeds (who placed much confidence in him) for eight years, and afterwards with Sir William Fielding. Since 1880 he has been Head Keeper to Sir Charles Forbes, of Newe. His wife's name was Jane MacIntosh, born at Alt-Viet, Braemar, 1805; she died 1860.
Charles MacHardy, the third son, was two and a half years with Mr. Trotter, of Woodhill, near Blairgowrie, and at the age of twenty entered Sir Charles Forbes's service as carpenter. After five years he became Wood Forrester at Newe, which situation he now holds. He married in 1859, Jane, daughter of Charles Michie, farmer at Coole of Newe, Strathdon, and has three sons.
Charles MacHardy joined the Braemar Highland Society at the age of seventeen. He has gained all the First Prizes, and several Champion Medals, for the different Highland Games at the Braemar Gathering, and at the Lonach and other Highland Meetings. The prizes which he most values, and which are depicted in his Portrait,, are a sword and silver-mounted dirk, which he received from Her Majesty's hand at the Balmoral Games, 22nd September, 1859, - the first for tossing the caber, the second for throwing the hammer.

John Forbes Michie

Born at Corrietoul, parish of Strathdon, 6th April, 1820. His father, James Michie was born at Burnside, Corgarff, Strathdon,1792; he is still alive, and is tenant at the farm of Corrietoul. He married Sophia Stewart a farmer's daughter, born at Cammerton, same parish, 1792.
John Michie assisted his father on the farm until the age of thirty, when Sir Charles Forbes engaged him as Gamekeeper. In 1858 he entered the service of Colonel Forbes, C.B., of Inverernan, where he still is. He married (1856) Jane, daughter of James Symon, schoolmaster, Roadside, Corgarff; she was born June, 1833. They have three boys and two girls.
John Michie is a member of the Strathdon, or Lonach Highland Society, where he has gained the First Prize for 'Putting the Stone,' and several other prizes.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Charles MacHardy and John Michie. Both men wear the uniform of the Lonach Highlanders, which they would have worn to the Lonach Gatherings, with plaid, waistcoat and kilt of Forbes tartan. 'Lonach' their battle-cry, appears on their belt-buckles, sporrans and shoulder clasps. The uniforms vary in such details as their shoes and sporrans. MacHardy's cap-badge has a St Andrew's cross inside a wreath and Michie's has a trophy with thistles and a cairngorm.

14 Donald Gordon

Born 4th September, 1811, at Bovaglie, on the property of Peter Gordon, Esq., of Abergeldie. His father. Also Donald Gordon, was tenant of Bovaglie, a farm lying in the direction of Loch Muich; he died in March, 1854, aged eighty-four. His wife. Elspet, was a daughter of John Gordon, tenant of Camlet (distantly related). They had four sons, who are all farmers, and several daughters.
Donald Gordon, the subject of this notice, now occupies Bovaglie. As the estate of Abergeldie is leased to the Queen, he is personally known to Her Majesty, and "turns out" with the Queen's Highlanders. He married Margaret, daughter of James Smith, at Kintore, on the same property, and has two sons and two daughters living. He holds another farm, Wester Morven, on the Marquis of Huntly's ground.
Donald's grandfather's name was James Gordon, whose father, Donald Gordon, died in Tornouran, Balnacroft. The family have lived for eight generations on the Abergeldie property.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Donald Gordon. Wearing plaid and kilt of Gordon tartan. His sword is inscribed Andrea de Ferrara, the name of a sword maker from Belluno in Italy, many of whose swords came to Scotland. In the background is a view of the hills above Abergeldie. Exhibited: Royal Scottish Academy 1870.

15 John Grant

Born 17th April 1804, at Rothiemoon, on the Earl of Seafield's estate, in the Parish of Abernethy, Morayshire. His father, Charles Grant, was a farmer at Rothiemoon. He married Mary Adams and died in 1843, aged seventy-five, leaving five sons.
John Grant is now tenant of Brainedin, also on Lord Seafield's property, in Abernethy parish. He has been for many years standard bearer of the Abernethy Highlanders at the Castle Grant Gathering. He is not married.
His grandfather's name was also John Grant, and his grandmother was Margaret Forsyth. She was aged 101 when she died. John Grant's great-grandfather was renowned for his great strength and his capacity for eating. He was said to be equal to seven ordinary men in both, and got the appellation of "Iain Morn a Litenach," or Big Porridge John. It was formerly an important event when a millstone was taken into the remote districts of the Highlands, and its conveyance was very difficult. A long shaft was put through the centre hole and seven or eight men at each end of the shaft trundled the stone. On one occasion "Iain Morn a Litenach," is known to have taken one side of the stone from Forres to the Braes of Tulloch (where the feat of strength is related to this day) without any aid whatever. A portion of the stone now forms the doorstep of a house in Tulloch.

John Fraser

Born in 1828 at Clunes, in the parish of Killarlity, on Lord Lovat's property. His father, James Fraser, was a farmer at Clunes. He married Isabella Fraser, and died in 1863, aged seventy-three.
John Fraser is the tenant of Clunes, and has lived there since his birth. He married in 1864, Jessie, daughter of Angus Urquhart, in the parish of Inverness, and has two children.
John Fraser's grandfather, Peter Fraser was one of the Faraline Frasers; his grandmother's name was Margaret Fraser. John's great-grandmother was of the Frasers of Culmill: his great grandfather was James Fraser, whose three brothers, all very fine strong men, were killed at the battle of Culloden, fighting under the Master of Lovat for Prince Charles.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

John Grant and John Fraser. Grant wears plaid and kilt of Grant tartan. His accoutrements include a fine pair of flintlock all-steel pistols and a powder-horn, and he carries a modern Lochaber axe. His sword has an unusual basket hilt.
Fraser wears plaid and kilt of Fraser tartan. His sword, with basket hilt, is of late eighteenth- or early nineteenth-century pattern used by different Highland volunteer units. In the background is a view of Strathspey, in Inverness-shire.
John Fraser's expenses for the eight days he spent in Edinburgh, in February 1868 having his portrait painted, included his second class fare from Beauly to Edinburgh, at £1.5s.7d each way. His food, lodging and a cab amounted to £4. 16s. Three shillings a day was paid as wages to the man who did Fraser's work in his absence. He also had to spend a day at Lovat Castle arranging the accoutrements for the portrait and another day at Inverness preparing his outfit. The opening of the railway lines in Scotland much facilitated the traveling arrangements for MacLeay's sitters; the Perth to Inverness line had opened in 1863 and had been extended to Invergordon in the same year.

 

16 Farquhar MacDonald

Born in 1831, in the Island of Scalpa, on the east coast of the Isle of Skye, in the parish of Strath, on Lord MacDonald's property. His father, Donald MacDonald, was a crofter, fisherman and shoemaker at Dunan in Scalpa; He married Margaret MacIntosh belonging to Skye, and died at Dunan. March 1869.

Farquhar MacDonald is a crofter and fisherman at Dunan; he married in 1850, Jessie, daughter of Donald MacKinnon in Scalpa, and has two sons and two daughters.

His grandfather, John MacDonald, lived in Scalpa; he was a Gamekeeper to Lord MacDonald, and was 20 years in Lord MacDonald's regiment; he married Margaret MacMillan from Skye. Farquhar's great-grandfather was a noted hunter and slayer of otters, badgers &c.; he was also a famous salmon fisher, and could shoot a salmon in the act of leaping the falls, with a single bullet. The family have been crofters on the property for many generations.

Lachlan MacDonald

Born in 1836, at Elligoll, in the parish of Strath, Isle of Skye, on Lord MacDonald's property. His father, Donald MacDonald, was a crofter and fisherman at Elligoll, he died in 1862, aged fifty-two; he married Anne Cameron from Lochaber who is still alive.

Lachlan MacDonald has a croft at Elligoll, and is also a fisherman; he was at one time a sailor and made some coasting voyages. He married in 1867, Mary MacKinnon, daughter of Alexander MacKinnon, at Orde, parish of Sleat, Isle of Skye; and has one son named Norman.

Lochlan's grandfather, John MacDonald, married Margaret MacKinnon, belonging to Skye; he lived and died at Elligoll; where his forefathers lived for many generations; they were famous for their size, strength, and devotion to their Chief.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Farquhar MacDonald and Lachlan MacDonald. Signed and dated 1869
Farquhar MacDonald wears a kilt and plaid of the tartan of MacDonald of the Isles and Sleat. He carries an eighteenth century sword and has his targe slung on his back. Lachlan MacDonald wears the MacDonald tartan and has a fine pair of flintlock all-steel pistols. Shown in the background is a view of the Cuillin (Cuchillin) range on Skye, looking west from Elgol. In George and Peter Anderson's Guide to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland (1842 and 1847 editions) it is stated that the dress of the Islemen 'differed from that of the mainland Highlanders. The kilt, which, no doubt, is now falling into general disuse, is not to be met with in Skye, and it seems never to have been worn there. At present, the ordinary fashion of short coats and trousers of coarse cloth universally prevails.'

17 Angus MacDonell

Born 1804; probably at the farm of Inch, on the river Speyan, parish of Kilmonivaig, in Lochaber. His father, Archibald MacDonell, was one of the original officers of the Gordon Highlanders (now 92nd Regiment), which he helped to raise. His commissions were dated - Lieutenant, 1794; Captain, 1799; Major, 1805. After 19 years' service with the 92nd in Holland, Egypt, Copenhagen, the Peninsula, etc., he became Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, and was removed to the Veterans, 1813. He was appointed Deputy-Governor of Edinburgh Castle, 1814, but caught cold in crossing a stream on his way to Edinburgh, and died the same year. Colonel MacDonell married Miss MacLauchlan, of an old family in Argyleshire, and had four ons, the eldest of whom was killed in the peninsula, at his first battle, and one daughter. His family resided with his father at Inch during his absence with the army.

Angus, the third son, the subject of this notice, was educated at Winchester. He began life as a distiller, at Milburn, and afterwards became a farmer at Inch. He emigrated to Australia, 1855, where he still resides. He invariably wears the kilt, and is a fine specimen of a Highlander, on which account his portrait (taken before 1855) has been selected for the present illustration. He married, in 1818, Mary, only child of Colonel MacDonald, or Morar, in Arisaig. She died in Australia, 1855, leaving two sons and two daughters.

Angus MacDonell's grandfather lived and died at the farm of Inch. He was present at the battle of Culloden, when in his seventeenth year. He was a son of Alexander MacDonell, sixteenth Chief of Keppoch, who fell at Culloden, 1746. Colla Beg, or Little Colln, the fifteenth Keppoch, was well known in contemporary history, having served with his men under Dundee and Montrose, and also been 'out in 1715.' The last Clan battle in Scotland, which took place at Mulroy, near Keppoch, shortly before 1688, was fought by Colla Beg against the MacIntoshes, who were defeated. The feud arose through MacIntosh of MacIntosh laying claim to the Keppoch lands, of which his ancestors had obtained Crown charters in former generations. The Keppochs had a large tract of country in their possession, extending from Corran Ferry to Loch Laggan, in Badenoch, but had no charters for it, holding their lands, as Coll of Keppoch said, 'not be a sheepskin, but by the sword, with which their ancestors had won them.' Eventually, in 1746, the lands were altogether forfeited, and passed away to the MacIntoshes.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Angus MacDonell. Wearing a MacDonell of Keppoch kilt. In the background a view of the corrie of Unach Mor, Inverness-shire. This portrait, painted by MacLeay before the sitter emigrated to Australia in 1855 is the prototype for the whole series. MacDonell shared a mutual great-grandfather with MacLeay. Stocky and informally dressed, and painted on a different, creamier paper, with more use of gum arabic in the painting of the eyes, this portrait clearly demonstrates how, with his later sitters, MacLeay improved on their appearance, giving them, poise, elegance and immaculate costumes, but perhaps thereby losing the immediacy of MacDonnell's portrait.

 

18 James Lamont

Born in Braemar, 1830. His father, Alexander Lamont, has a croft in Braemar; he was born 1795, and married Margaret Stewart, also a native of Braemar.
James Lamont was in service at Mar Lodge for five years; he is now a labourer, in the employment of the Earl of Fife, and is a very industrious man.
The Clan Lamont, or MacLaman, descend from Laumanus, who granted a charter to the Monks of Paisley, 1295. Previous to Laumanus, they bore the name of MacErachar. They possess very ancient charters, and occupied the district of Cowall, in Argyleshire. Lamont of Ard-Lamont is the Chief.

William MacHardy

Born at Auchallater, Braemar, 1805. His father, Alexander MacHardy, was the tenant of Auchallater. He married Jean MacGregor, also born in Braemar, and had five sons and four daughters. Three of the sons went to Jamaica thirty years ago, and died there. John, another son, is Charles MacHardy's father. One of the daughters (Margaret) married John Bowman.
William MacHardy, the subject of this notice, recently deceased, was Keeper to the Earl of Fife, at Mar Lodge. He had previously been a Keeper in Mar Forest for twenty-one years, under the respective tenants, the late Duke of Leeds and Mr. Powell, and was very faithful and trustworthy.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

James Lamont and William MacHardy. Both men wear tartan and stand on the battlements of a castle, where the banner of the Earls of Fife is flying. Lamont has a sword with a brass basket hilt of late eighteenth century pattern. Each man has a stag's horn dirk, a buck's horn small knife and one has a buck's horn skean dhu, They carry modern Lochaber axes. These were originally designed with a long haft and hook at the end to enable the user to pull his opponent off his horse and then attack him with the axe.

 

 19 Duncan MacGregor

Born 7th July, 1814, at the Cuilt on Achtoo Farm, parish of Balquhidder. His father, Hugh MacGregor, was ground officer (or bailiff) on the Edinchip property, to Sir John MacGregor Murray of Lanrick, and to three succeeding generations. Hugh was a man of much shrewdness, and most devotedly attached to the family of his chief. He married Elizabeth MacLaren, from the Kirkton of Balquhidder, and died in 1863, aged 85.

Duncan, the eldest son, the subject of this notice, followed the plough in early life. At his father's death he succeeded to the situation of ground officer on the estate. He occupies a croft on Achtoo Farm. He married, in 1858, Mary Laidlaw, a cotter on the Farm of Auchliskine in the same parish. They have two boys and three girls.
Duncan's grandfather, Donald MacGregor, lived on Achtoo farm, and married Ellen MacGregor, from Rannoch; the family have been settled in Balquidder for many generations.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Duncan MacGregor: MacGregor wears a kilt and hose of Rob Roy tartan, with the MacGregor crest and badge. He has a badger sporran and an unusual design of bonnet with a single row of red dice on the brim. In the background is seen a view of Lochearnhead and the mountain Stuc a' Chroin (Stuck-a-Shron) near Callander, seen from Glen Ogle, Perthshire.

20 Alexander MacIntosh

Born 16th August 1842 at Bohuntin, Glenroy, on the property of the Macintosh of Macintosh. His father, Angus Mackintosh, was ground officer on the estate; he married Catherine Grant, and died at the age of sixty-two, leaving eight children.
Alexander, the subject of this notice, is now ground officer to the Mackintosh, and is unmarried; his two uncles, John and Duncan, were also ground officers.
Alexander's grandfather, Ewen Mackintosh, was a farmer; his wife's name was Catherine MacDonald. Ewen's father (also Ewen Mackintosh) was a very powerful and active man. He engaged in the rising of 1745, and fought in every battle from the gathering of the Clans in Glenfinnan till Culloden. At Falkirk he received a musket-ball in the shoulder, which could never be extracted. In one encounter he gallantly defended his wounded captain, and after his death protected the body. Alexander's great-uncle, Donald Mor, was in the army; he received a Lieutenant's commission, and accompanied his regiment to America in 1757, where he fought in many actions, including the taking of Quebec. Returning to Scotland with a pension, he became tenant of the farm at Brunachan.

Archibald Mackintosh

Born 19th July 1827 , at Essich, in the parish of Inverness, on the Mackintosh's property. His father Alexander Mackintosh, was in the Edinburgh Militia; he married Ann MacDonald, and died at the age of sixty-nine, leaving nine children.
Archibald Mackintosh is a farm-manager; he married Jessie Reid, daughter of Alexander Reid, road contractor, and has one son and four daughters.
Archibald's grandfather, Donald Mackintosh, was a mechanic, and in the army; his wife's name was Elizabeth MacBean. Donald's father was a standard-bearer in the Government army in 1745, and gallantly maintained his position until mortally wounded.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Archibald Mackintosh and Alexander Mackintosh. Dated 1867
Both men wear Mackintosh tartan and fox-skin sporrans. In the background is shown Strathnairn, Inverness-shire. MacLeay painted these men at Inverness and Grantown. The artist's expenses and the men's travelling costs amounted to £22. 1s. 8d. Exhibited: Royal Scottish Academy 1869.

21 Kenneth MacKenzie

Born in 1846 at Carr, in the Parish of Kintail, on the property of Alexander Matheson, Esq., M.P. His father, John MacKenzie, is a fisherman in Kintail, on the west coast of Ross-shire; he was born in 1804, and was one of three sons at a birth, who all lived to be very fine men. George MacKenzie married Helen MacDonald.
Kenneth Mackenzie is a Shepherd at Inverinate, Kintail; he is unmarried.
His Grandfather, Hector MacKenzie, and his Grandmother, Eliza Mackenzie, both belonged to Kintail.

Thomas MacKenzie

Born 1833 at Kishorn, in the Parish of Loch-Carron, on the property of Sir John Stewart. His Father, John MacKenzie, was a farmer at Kishorn; he married Margaret MacKenzie, and died at the age of seventy-two.
Thomas MacKenzie follows the trade of a Carpenter at Kishorn, and is not married.
His Grandfather's name was Kenneth MacKenzie, and his Grandmother was Margaret MacKenzie.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Kenneth MacKenzie and Thomas MacKenzie. Both men wear MacKenzie tartan. The socks of Thomas MacKenzie show the clan design of stag's head and horns. The background shows Loch Duich, on the west coat of Ross-shire, with Eilean Donan Castle and Tulloch Ard. MacLeay travelled by steamer to Glenelg and stayed at Glasgow and Inverness, where his sitters were out up at a hotel. The expenses amounted to £23. 11s 8d.

22 John MacLachlan

Born in 1845, at Camusnangall, parish of Kilmallie, at that time the property of Mr. Maclean of Ardgour, and now belonging to the Earl of Morton. His father, also John MacLachlan, is a ferryman between Camusnangall and Fort William; his wife's name is Elizabeth MacPherson.
The younger John MacLachlan, the subject of the Portrait, is Post Runner in the north district of Ardgour, and is unmarried..
His grandfather was Donald MacLachlan, and his grandmother Anne Cameron. With the exception of an uncle, Donald MacLachlan, and an aunt, Mary MacLachlan (both unmarried,) all near relations have gone to America. The family have been in Ardgour for one hundred and fifty years, and in the parish of Kilmallie from time immemorial, as they belong to the old Lochaber MacLachlans of Corruanan.

Hugh Graham

Born in 1788, at Nether Glennie, in the parish of the Port of Menteith, on the property of John Graham. His father, David Graham, died about 30 years ago aged eighty-four. He married Mary Cameron, whose father, Hugh Cameron, was with Prince Charles in 1745, and afterwards served in the 'Queen's Regiment.'
Hugh Graham was a boatman and taxman of the Island of Inchmaholme in the Loch (sic) of Menteith for twenty-five years; he still resides there at Gateside, and amuses himself with the management of bees. He served for about seventeen years in the Stirling Volunteer Cavalry. He married in 1817 Elizabeth MacKeurtan, of the same parish and had ten children, of whom only five survive.
Hugh's grandfather's name was John Graham, and his grandmother was a MacGregor.

James MacFarlane

Born in 1809, at Chroch-Choille, in the parish of Buchanan, on the property of the Duke of Montrose. His father, Alexander MacFarlane, was born at Kenmore on the west side of Loch Lomond, in the parish of Arrochar, he was post-runner between Loch Earn and Callander, for fourteen years, and afterwards between Tillicoultrie and Kilmarnock, in Argyllshire, for more than twenty years; he died in 1850 aged seventy. He married Mary McGowan from Buchanan parish and left three sons and two daughters. The second son, Alexander, is a carpenter and joiner in the employment of Sir James Colquhoun of Luss. The youngest son, Robert, is a wood-cutter at Kenmore, Loch Lomond side. The eldest daughter married Archibald Cameron from Stron-Sithean, (the fairy point,) Morven, now a shepherd on Sir James Colquhoun's property, at Glen-na-Curn. The youngest daughter married her cousin, Walter MacFarlane, who made a small fortune in America, and now resides with his brother, Peter MacFarlane of Ruchneach, near Rowerdennan.
James, or Hamish Mor, the subject of the Portrait, was Alexander MacFarlane's eldest son; his parents returned from his mother's parish to the MacFarlane side of Loch Lomond, while he was still very young. He now resides at Inverhullin, (from Inver, the confluence of a stream, and Cuilioun, holly,) and is a wood-carter in Sir James Colquhoun's employment. He has great skill in removing heavy timber from the face of the hills. After a memorable gale of wind in 1860, he succeeded in bringing down, from rocky and dangerous heights, upwards of £2,000 worth of wood with his horse and only one assistant. He conveyed timber for the repair of the Tarbert Pier on Loch Lomond, and also aided in the erection of the Arochar Pier, which was commenced soon after the Queen's visit to Loch Long in 1849. Hamish Mor is a very powerful man, a noted character in the district, and much liked. He married his cousin, Jane McGowan, daughter of John McGowan in Buchanan Parish; he has no children.
James's grandfather, Alexander MacFarlane, was a native of Arrochar parish, he was born at a cottage in Kenmore Wood, where he resided all his life; his forefathers belonged to the same parish.

Angus Colquhoun

Born in 1821, at Barbea, in the parish of Kilchrennan, Argyleshire, on the property of Mr. Campbell of Sonachan. His father, Archibald Colquhoun, was a handloom weaver; he married Mary Sinclair, and died at the age of forty-one.
Angus Colquhoun has been for many years in the service of Sir James Colquhoun of Luss, first as a labourer at Rossdhu on Loch Lomond, and afterwards as a collector of pier dues at Row pier (the property of Sir James) on the Gare Loch, Dumbartonshire, he is now taxman of the pier, and resides in the neighbourhood. He married Margaret, daughter of Peter Campbell, in the parish of Inchsail, Argyleshire; they have no children. Angus's brother, Archibald Colquhoun, is likewise in Sir James Colquhoun's employment, and is keeper of the Deer Island of Inch Lonaig, on Loch Lomond; his wife is a MacFarlane, belonging to Luss, and they have several children, all born on the Island
Angus's grandfather was John Colquhoun, and his grandmother Janet Colquhoun, they and their forefathers belonged to the parish of Luss, Dumbartonshire.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

John MacLachlan. Hugh Graham, James MacFarlane and Angus Colquhoun. The tartans worn are MacLachlan, Graham of Menteith, MacFarlane and Colquhoun. Colquhoun's sporran has an eighteenth-century top, and he wears an old type of sword with a buff sword-knot. The background shows Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond, seen from Luss.
To show four sitters in one picture seems to have posed a problem. Princess Louise was invited to make a sketch for the composition which would 'greatly facilitate the Group proposed for Mr MacLeay to paint'. The Princess's design probably reflected her mother's views; it may not have been an interference welcomed by the artist. All four sitters were painted in Edinburgh, and their travelling expenses, board and lodging paid for. These included MacLachlan's expenses for being away from his home, at Ardgour, south west of Fort William, for thirteen days, at £9. 10s. It did not 'include the cost of his Dress'. Graham, who with his old fashioned hairstyle, was the oldest of MacLeay's sitters, was refunded £3.12s. for board and lodging for himself and his daughter in Edinburgh, and his travelling expenses by rail, cab and bus of two guineas.

 

23 Neil Macleod

Born in 1817, in the district if Waternish, parish of Durinish, in the Isle of Skye, on the property of MacLeod of Macleod. His Father, John MacLeod, is a farmer in Skye; he married Mary MacLeod, and is still living, aged eighty-eight.
Nail Macleod is a Queen's Porter, Contractor, and Tar and Butter Merchant at Greenock. He married, in n1853,Mary, daughter of Hector Maclean, from the parish of Kilninian, in Mull, and has seven children.
Neil's grandfather was William Macleod, and his grandmother's name was Betsy Beaton.

Murdoch MacNeill

Born 1838, in the Island of Colonsay, then the property of the late John McNeill of Colonsay. His father, Murdoch McNeill, has been sixty-five years in the service of the Colonsay family, and has the principle charge of Lord Colonsay's extensive stock of highland cattle. He is now seventy years of age, he married Mary Currie. One of his sons is head gardener of Colonsay, another was a veterinary surgeon in the federal army during the late American war, while a third son commanded a troop or Irregular Horse, in the confederate army, having previously served as an artilleryman in the Indian army, during the Mutiny.
Murdoch MacNeill, the subject of the Portrait, has been in the service of the family from his boyhood. He was first employed in assisting his father, afterwards in trapping rabbits, &c., and is now game-keeper to Lord Colonsay. He married in 1861, Catherine McNeill, a native of the same Island, and has four children.
His grandfather's name was Neil McNeill, and his grandmother was Mary Brown.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Neil MacLeod and Murdoch MacNeill. MacLeod wears the Mackenzie of Seaforth tartan, which at that date was the correct form of MacLeod tartan. MacNeill wears the newly designed MacNeill of Colonsay tartan, and a badger sporran. In the foreground lie two dead mallard and a curlew. The background shows the Cuillins, Isle of Skye, looking south-east from Dunvegan.

24 Robert MacNab

Born 1822, at Killin, on the Marquis of Breadalbane's property. His father, Robert MacNab, was formerly Inspector of Military Roads, and afterwards a builder; his wife's name was Mary Gilmore; he died in 1840 aged 67.
Robert MacNab is a builder at Callender (sic). He married, in 1853, Isabella Neilson, from Edinburgh, and has three daughters.
Robert's grandfather was John MacNab, and his grandmother Janet Stewart. Robert's great -great grandfather, Peter MacNab, was Laird of Acharn, near Killin, and fought at the battle of Culloden, in 1745 (sic), on the Stuart side. He was a standard-bearer, and retained the broken flag-staff after the battle. It has been handed down from father to son, treasured as a family relic, and is now in Robert MacNab's possession. It is made of very tough ash, and measures seven feet in length.

Donald MacNaghton

Born in 1812, at Ardonaig, in the parish of Killin. His father, Finlay MacNaghton, was salmon fisher to the late Marquis of Breadalbane for forty years. He thatched the summer-houses at Auchmore with heather on the occasion of the Queen's visit there in 1842. Finlay married Catherine McIntyre, and died in 1860, leaving six sons, of whom three are in America.
Donald MacNaghton was a shepherd for three years when very young; but is now a weaver, living at Ardchoyle, in Glen Dochart. He married, in 1838, Christian, daughter of Robert Hunter, of the parish of Kilmadock, and has ten children.
Donald's grandfather was John MacNaghton, and his grandmother Janet Stewart.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Robert MacNab and Donald MacNaghton. The men wear the MacNab and MacNaghton clan tartans. The cuffs of MacNab's tunic are of an uncommon, almost military pattern. His boots seem out-of-place with his otherwise formal outfit. His bonnet has a rare design on the lower edge, and a red patch with a pinked border behind the cap-badge. MacNaghton wears what may be a shooting medal, and an unusual pattern on his socks. The background shows Ben More and Stobinian (Stob- an-Ean) , from Glen Dochart, Perthshire. MacLeay painted the men in Perthshire, and MacNab was paid two guineas to compensate him for being absent from his building business for a week while he was sitting to MacLeay at Callander. The addenda notes to the 1874 edition of The Highlanders names the second sitter as John McNaghton and states that he was supposed to have been robbed and murdered in Glasgow in 1868, and his body found four months later in the Clyde.

25 Ewen MacPherson

Born in 1821, at Strone near Kingussie, on the property of Colonel MacPherson of Belleville. His father, John MacPherson, was shepherd; he married Margaret Miller; and had four sons (each of them about 6 feet 3 inches in height), and five daughters; he died at the age of 63.
Ewen MacPherson is a shepherd; he lived formerly at Strone, and at Dail-Chuaich, but is now at Garvamore, in the Braes of Badenoch. He stood pivot man on the right of his Chief when the "MacPherson men" were drawn up by Cluny, to receive the Queen at Loch Laggan in 1847. Ewen married in 1845, Ann Cattanach, daughter of Thomas Cattanach in the parish of Kingussie, and has five sons and five daughters.
Ewen's grandfather's name was also Ewen MacPherson, and he was called in Gaelic "Eóbhan MacIain, Mhic Eóbhain, Mhic Iain, Mhic Mhurich," a concise list of the names of his ancestors for four generations. Ewen's grandmother was a MacPherson, and after her husband's death was called "a Bhantrach Bhuidh" (the yellow-haired widow), and celebrated in song. Ewen's uncle was called "Paul na Brataich," he and his fathers having carried the standard, known as the "Bratach Uaine Clan Chattan," under the successive chiefs.

Lachlan MacPherson

Born 1811 at Cat Lodge, Parish of Laggan, on the property of Cluny MacPherson. His father, Angus MacPherson, was a mail contractor; he married Elizabeth MacPherson, and died at Dunkeld, 1832, aged 56. His eldest son, John, was house steward to the late Marquis of Breadalbane, for upwards of twenty years, and now holds an appointment in the Lord Chamberlain's office.
Lachlan MacPherson lived formerly at Blair Athole and at Dunkeld; he had afterwards an hotel and farm at Birnam. He is unmarried, and is now tenant of the farm of Laggan, Parish of Monzievaird, near Crieff. He is commonly called Lachlan Mor, and was for many years Champion of Scotland for all athletic games.
Lachlan's grandfather was Alexander MacPherson, and his grandmother Flora MacPherson. His two grandfathers, together with their fathers, followed their Chief Cluny MacPherson, on Prince Charles's side in 1745.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Lachlan MacPherson and Ewan MacPherson. Lachlan MacPherson wears a kilt and plaid of Dress Macpherson and Ewan Macpherson a kilt and plaid of Hunting MacPherson. The landscape background shows Craig Dhu (Creag Dhubh), on the Spey, Badenoch, Inverness-shire. MacLeay thought, when he despatched this completed watercolour on 24 November 1867, that the sitters were the 'finest men' yet taken for the series: 'The one fair, by name Lachlan MacPherson 6 feet 3 inches in height - he was Champion of Scotland all Athletic Sports - in the Picture he holds the Old Green Banner of the Clan, which was borne thro' all the rising of 1745 & is now preserved at Cluny Castle. The other man is Ewan MacPherson dark as a Spaniard, he stands 6 feet 2 and carries the Target made in France for Prince Charles Edward before he came to Scotland, and presented by him after Culloden to Cluny's Ancestor. Ewan Mohr (as he is called) carried this Target as right hand man of the MacPherson Clan, on the occasion of Her Majesty's Second visit to Scotland, at Loch Laggan'. On that occasion the Illustrated London News was more cynical than patriotic about the historic standard: 'The Highlanders alleged that every hole it showed was the effect of a bullet or sword blow, but I suspect that damp and moths had more to do with its dilapidated condition than either steel or lead.' The targe is now in the Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh. A second version at Warwick Castle was said to have been destroyed by fire in 1871 but the original silver ornamentation survives. The targe has a repousse, head of Medusa in the centre surrounded by arms and grotesques. Exhibited: Royal Scottish Academy.

 

26 Kenneth MacSween

Born 1838, at the Farm of Strond, parish of Harris, on the Earl of Dunmore's property. His father, John MacSwyde (called Iain Ruadh, or Red John) was a weaver; he married Ann Campbell, and both died many years ago.

Kenneth (or Coinneach MacIain Ruadh) owns a boat in Strond, Sound of Harris, and ferries highland cattle from the islands to the mainland or to Skye; he is unmarried.

His grandfather's name was Angus MacSwyde, and his grandmother was Marion Urquhart.

Donald MacAulay

Born 1834, at Lingerbay, parish of Harris, on the Earl of Dunmore's property, His father, John MacAulay lives at Geocrab, South Harris, and is sixty-eight; his wife's name is Christina MacKinnon, aged seventy-three.
Donald (or Domhnuil MacIain Bhan) is a boatman, employed at Fincastle, (Lord Dunmore's residence in Harris); he is a private in the Harris Highlanders,' and is unmarried.
His grandfather's name was Norman, and his grandmothers was Ann Campbell. Donald's great-grandfather, Angus Bàn MacAulay, was tenant of the Barves in South Harris in 1745; he joined Prince Charles's forces under the banner of MacLeods of Bernera, whom he attended whilst concealed in the cave of Uladal, in the forest of Harris, and during his subsequent exile.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Kenneth MacSwyde or MacSween) and Donald MacAulay. Both men wear blue uniform coats of the Harris Highlanders, and kilts and plaids of Murray of Tullibardine tartan, and carry targes. The baldric and waist belt made of fur, worn by MacSwyde, is unusual. In the background is shown a view of the west coast of Harris. MacLeay painted MacSwyde on Harris, but MacAulay travelled to Edinburgh to be painted in MacLeay's studio. Exhibited: Royal Scottish Academy 1870.

 

27 James Menzies

Born 1845, at Donafuill, in Appin of Dull. His father, Colin Menzies, is a tenant at Coshieville. He married Catherine Dewar, and has six sons and two daughters.
James Menzies has always worked on his father's farm and is unmarried. He took the first prize for the best-dressed Highlander at the Athole Gathering, 1865.
His grandfather, Colin Menzies, was tenant at Donafuill; he married in 1810, Grace Cameron, from Dalrawer. His ancestors have been on the Menzies property for three hundred years.

Alexander Menzies

Born 1806, at Middle Carse, Appin of Dull. His father, Archibald Menzies, was tenant of Middle Carse. He married Mary Burdon, from Rannoch, and has two sons.
Alexander Menzies was a ploughman at Farleyer, at the age of eighteen; he is now tenant and miller at Camserny. He married Catherine Menzies, from Drumdewan, and has a son and daughter. He took the first prize out of forty-three ploughs, at a ploughing match at Castle Menzies, when he was twenty-two years of age, and he was one of the Clan Menzies who were present at Taymouth on the occasion of the Queen's visit there in 1842.
His grandfather, James Menzies, and his grandmother, Catherine Menzies, lived at Easter Carse: the former died there at the age of eighty-two. His ancestors resided for many generation on the Farm of Ardlarich, on the Menzies' property, in Rannoch.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Alexander Menzies and James Menzies. An interesting demonstration of the contrast between informal and formal Highland dress. Alexander Menzies, on the left, wears an old-fashioned waistcoat and a kilt of green (or Hunting) Menzies tartan, the other man wears white (or Dress) Menzies tartan. The latter carries an eighteenth-century sword, and wears a powder flask but has no pistol. His dirk has a very rare type of knucklebone hilt. In the background the chief's banner is shown flying over Castle Menzies Strath Tay, Perthshire. Exhibited: Royal Scottish Academy 1869(685)

28 Donald Munro

Born in 1800 at Bogreach, Foulis, in the parish of Kiltearn, on the property of Charles Munro. His father, George Munro, was a crofter at Bogreach; he died in 1854, aged seventy-four; his wife's name was Elsie Ross.
Donald Munro enlisted in the army, and rose to the rank of Serjeant in the 78th Highlanders; he was discharged in 1842 with a good character, and from that time has been a crofter on the estate of Kincraig, Ross-shire, the property of Roderick MacKenzie, 8th Hussars. Donald married in Dublin in 1829 Katherine Stewart, a Scotch-woman, and has eight children.
Donald's grandfather was also Donald Munro, and his grandmother Katherine Munro. The great-grandfather of the subject of the Portrait, was killed at the Battle of Falkirk in 1745, with his chief, Sir Robert Munro, on the Government side; and Donald's great-grand-uncle was body-servant to Captain Munro of Culcairn, killed in 1746.

Lachlan MacLean

Born in 1829, at Tapull, Ardmeanach, in the Island of Mull, on the property of Loch Buoy, now belonging to MacArthur of Ardmeanach. His father, Charles MacLean, was a farmer at Tapull, and was Colour-Serjeant to the 3rd Argyllshire Militia; he removed to Glasgow in 1839, and died in 1864, aged sixty-seven. His wife's name was Marsley MacLean, daughter of Neil MacLean of Rossal, and her mother's name was Flora MacKinnon. Lachlan MacLean resided for a time in Glasgow, and learned his trade there; he is now house-carpenter and building contractor at Bunessau, in the Island of Mull. He married in 1856 Mary Brown, daughter of Hugh Brown, farmer at Lagavullin, in the parish of Kildalton in Islay, and has four sons and two daughters.
Lachlan's grandfather was personal servant to Sir Allan Maclean of Inchkenneth; his elder brother was killed at Culloden, fighting for Prince Charles. The present Lachlan's great-grandfather lived in Kilmore, Ardmeanch, as also the two preceding generations. The great-great-great grandfather was the son of Iain Mhor of Eorsa, who defeated the MacPhees at the battle of Portvean, in the Ross of Mull, and was the oldest son of Neil Maclean of Torloisk, killed by Allan-na-Sop about the middle of the sixteenth century.

Archibald MacDougall

Born in 1844, on the farm of Moleigh, in the parish of Kilmore and Kilbride, on the property of Captain MacDougall of Dunolly. His father, Duncan MacDougall, was the tenant of Moleigh; his wife's name was MacIntyre;* he died in 1861, aged sixty-four.
Archibald MacDougall formerly resided at Moleigh; he is now a tenant at the Gallemach property, near Oban; he is unmarried.
His grandfather, Dougall MacDougall, was ground-officer on the Dunolly property for many years, and was a very intelligent man. He lived at Moleigh for the greater part of his life, and died there at the age of ninety. His wife's name was Livingstone.

* The MacIntyres are a branch of the MacDonalds; it is said that their ancestor was at sea in a small boat which sprung a leak; he thrust his thumb into the hole, and cut it off as the only available plug. Hence he was called 'An T'Saoir' (pronounced without the S.) the carpenter, and his posterity had the name of MacIntyre.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Donald Munro, Archibald MacDougall and Lachlan MacLean. Signed and dated 1868
The men wear, from left to right, Munro, MacDougall and MacLean of Duart tartan Munro wears two eagle feathers in his cap-badge, in the manner of a chieftain. MacDougall carries his chief's bonnet and his plaid with a gold border, and on the brooch of Lorn. (This brooch is now in the Royal Scottish Museum.) MacLean's sword has a basket hilt similar to that of John Fraser (Plate 17). He carries a Lochaber axe. In the background can he seen Dunolly Castle near Oban and the hills of Morvern (Morven). All three sitters travelled to Edinburgh to be painted, and their expenses from Mull and Oban, and for staying in Edinburgh we paid. Munro, was refunded £4. 10s for his travelling expenses and the same for his board. MacDougall travelled from Gallanach. near Oban, to Edinburgh and back in December 1868, and that, with expenses, also cost £9. MacLean was paid £8. 10s. for loss of working time and £6 for journeying between Bunessan, in south west Mull, and Edinburgh. A fortnight after sending MacLean his money in April 1869, MacLeay had still not received a receipt for the Post Office Order, and wrote to the Postmaster at Bunessan to see if it had been received. MacLean finally sent his receipt by 12 May.

29 Donald Macbeath

Born 1831, at Ruidhe-Coileach. His father, Archibald Macbeath, was born at Clachglas, in Glen Tilt, 1790: he afterwards became tenant of Ruidhe-na-Coileach (the shealing of the grouse), a small farm lying under the east shoulder of Ben-y-Ghlo, whence he removed to Middle Bridge, and subsequently to a lodge at Blair Castle, where he died in 1856. He married Janet McGlashan, daughter of Neil McGlashan, in upper Strathgroy (on the Duke of Athole's property); she is still alive; they had seven sons and three daughters.
Donald, the fourth son, he subject of this notice, began herding cattle in the woods at Blair, at ten years old. He was afterwards ploughman with Captain Small, in Strathardle, but at the age of eighteen enlisted in the 92nd Highlanders. He served with that corps for a year, after which his friends bought him out, and he entered the late Duke of Athole's service, as one of the hillmen employed in looking after the deer. He was very efficient in this duty, quick, yet wary. In December 1851, he again enlisted and entered the Scots Fusilier Guards, Colonel (afterwards General) Knollys in command. Donald's family were anxious that he should again be bought out, but the Duke of Athole recommended that the young soldier should be left to follow his military inclination. Donald became corporal in 1852, and was distinguished for excellent shooting at Hythe in 1853. He embarked with his regiment in February 1854, and served throughout the Crimean War. He was present at Alma (on which day he was made sergeant). Balaklava, Inkermann, and Sevastopol, but never received a wound, although he had fourteen bullet-holes in his clothes, after Inkermann. In October, 1854, (having volunteered for the duty), he served as Sergeant of the Sharpshooters of the Scots Fusilier Guards, and was continually engaged in advance of the trenches, keeping down the fire of the Russians, with occasional encounters with the enemy's columns sent out to drive the Sharpshooters away. He "displayed at all times great courage and coolness."* He was made Sergeant Instructor of Musketry of his battalion in 1856, returned with the Guards in July the same year, and obtained his discharge the following November. He has the medal for distinguished conduct in the field, the Crimean and Turkish medals.
Donald MacBeath joined the Athole Highlanders in 1850. He was Sergeant of the Guard at Mar Lodge when the Athole Highlanders visited the Duke of Leeds, and attended the Braemar Gathering in 1851. After Donald left the army, the late Duke of Athole made him Sergeant-Major of the Athole Highlanders, with charge of the arms, which he still continues. He was also the Duke's Deer Stalker. In 1864 the present Duke of Athole gave Donald Macbeath charge of the Athole Deer Forest as Head Forester. Macbeath has taken all the first prizes for Highland games at the Athole Gatherings, and took first prize for throwing the light hammer at the meeting of the Glasgow Celtic Society, 1857; he is a straightforward, upright man and, though "dauntless in war," very gentle in private life. He married, in 1857, Jane Crichton, daughter of a slater at Meigle, and has four sons and one daughter.
Donald's grandfather, Finlay Macbeath, lived at Clachglas, in Glen Tilt, where his ancestors had been for many Generations. He removed to Ruidne-na-Coileach in 1790; he had six sons. Finlay's father, Archibald Macbeath, was "out in the '45," under Lord George Murray, and fought at Culloden. His target was long preserved in the house at Ruidhe-nan-Coileach, and Donald's father remembered it employed as a baking-board, but it has now disappeared.

*On the night of the 6th of September, 1855, Captain Buckley, of the Scots Fusilier Guards, was killed whilst visiting the sentries in advance of the covering parties; one sentry was also killed, and another struck down, the shots passing through the back of MacBeath's jacket. Drill-Sergeant Craig and Drummer Smith brought in the body of Captain Buckley, for which service they each received the Victoria Cross. MacBeath, after assisting in their search, went among the Russian rifle-pits, to rescue the wounded sentry Sankey, whom he carried on his back, amidst a murderous fire of grape and small arms.

William Duff

Born June 20th, 1810, at Bal-Archibald, on the property of Mr. Stewart, of Ballechan. His father, Alexander Duff, born in 1785, was a Crofter at Crapaig, on the Athole property, and afterwards moved to Ballechan, where he worked in the woods; he now keeps the Ledpetty Toll near Dunkeld. His wife, Isabella Macrae, has been dead twenty years' her father., Daniel Macrae**lived at Cluny, in Athole. Alexander Duff has two sons.
Willie Duff, the eldest son, helped his father, and also learnt the trade of a shoemaker at Balnamuir. He entered the late Duke of Athole's service as game-watcher in 1939, and lived at Loch Ordie Lodge for seven years; he was moved to the West Lodge (three miles from Dunkeld) in 1847, where he still is. From his willing disposition and his ready handiness, Willie had an important share in all the late Duke's sports. In otter-hunting, he carried the spade and implements for unearthing the otter. As a fisherman, he is most patient and skilful; he always rowed the Duke's boat on the Tay, and is now the Duchess Dowager's fisherman at Dunkeld. Willie Duff joined the Athole Highlanders in 1839, and was Lord Glenlyon's henchman at the Eglinton Tournament. Willie read a great deal, and has a curious amount of miscellaneous information; he ties salmon flies very dexterously, and can knit stockings of elaborate patterns; he sings Gaelic songs extremely well, and, when younger, his voice had much pathetic sweetness; he is a good performer on the violin and bass, and writes down music from ear. Willie Duff married Ellen Duff, daughter of Donald Duff, Ballechan; she is now a widow, with two children, and lives with her father.
Willie's grandfather, William Duff, died about forty years ago. His forefathers for many generations lived at Sock, near Balnamuir, on the Athole property.

* The Macraes are a minor clan in Ross-shire - they followed the Mackenzies of Seaforth, and were famed for their great size and courage, and also for their taste for poetry and music. Their badge is the Fir-club-moss.

 

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

Donald MacBeath and William Duff. MacBeath wears the uniform of a Sergeant-Major in the Athole Highlanders. This private army, still in existence today, had been re-formed by Lord Glenlyon, later 6th Duke of Athole, for the Eglinton Tournament in 1839. The men formed the Queen's body-guard at Taymouth Castle in 1842 and at Blair Castle in 1844. Both men here wear Murray of Athole tartan, but MacBeath's has a larger sett. Both Atholemen were personally known to the Queen. She had admired MacBeath as 'a celebrated marksman and a fine-looking man' when he had been among the Duke's men on her 'Great Expedition' to Glen Feshie and Blair Castle in 1861. She already had a watercolour of Duff, by Charles Landseer, in her Souvenir Albums, dating from her visit to Blair in 1844. A contemporary photograph shows his unkempt appearance and demonstrates clearly how MacLeay could tidy up even his most picturesque sitters. The Dowager Duchess described to the Queen how, in 1873, when the Royal Train sped through Dunkeld without slowing down, no one managed to catch a glimpse of the Queen except that loyal old character, Willie Duff, 'who had perched himself on a bank farther along the line'.

 

 

30 John Robertson

Born in Middle Camdouran, south side of Loch Rannoch, 4th March 1793. His father, Charles Robertson, was born at Carie, Rannoch, and was a tenant at East Camdouran. He was for nine years carrier to Colonel Robertson, of Strowan, between his house, called the Barracks, at the west end of Loch Rannoch, and Perth, a distance of sixty miles. Charles Robertson married Catherine Cameron; he died in 1817, leaving two sons and eight daughters.
John Robertson succeeded to his father's occupation as carrier, and continued it, in addition to his croft, for twenty-eight years. He was one of six who stood by the death-bed of Colonel Robertson, of Strowan, who died in 1822, and, with three others of the clan, bore him and the two next Chiefs successively to the grave. He was present also at the burial of the late Struan, but was no longer strong enough for his former duty. His wife's name is Margaret McKerchar. They have no children. His grandfather, William Robertson, lived at Carie and died there at the age of eighty-four.

John Stewart

Born 1808, at Lochach, Foss, parish of Dull. His father, William Stewart, was a mason, and lived at Foss, at the head of Loch Tummel. The property belonged to a family of Stewarts, but was afterwards purchased by the late Sir Niel (sic) Menzies of Menzies. William Stewart married Susan Stewart, and they had four sons and three daughters.
John, the second son, began herding at ten years old, and is now a shepherd in the employment of Peter Stewart, Dalnagairn, a farm in Glen Brearichan, on the Athole property. He married Margaret Cameron, born at Glassie, in Appin of Dull, opposite Aberfeldie. His grandfather, William Stewart, lived in the parish of Fortingall, and belonged to the family of Stewart of Garth; his wife was a daughter of Menzies, of Coshieville.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

John Robertson and John Stewart. Signed. Robertson wears the Robertson, and Stewart the Royal Stewart tartan. Stewart is shown wearing no badge in his bonnet which is unusual in this series. The landscape background is said to show Loch Rannoch, Perthshire. Exhibited: Royal Scottish Academy 1869.

31 James Sutherland

Born 1833, at Doll of Brora, in the parish of Clyne, on the Duke of Sutherland's property. His father, John Sutherland, was gardener to the late James Loch M.P., at Uppat, in the same parish. He married Catherine Sutherland, and both are now dead.
James Sutherland was also formerly gardener at Uppat, and is now wood-forester at Doll; he is a Sergeant in the third company of the Sutherland Rifle Volunteers, and is unmarried.
James's grandfather, John Sutherland, served in the Sutherland Fencibles in 1798, in Ireland. His wife's name was Ann Sutherland, and both died at Doll.

Adam Sutherland

Born in 1843, at KnockArthur, parish of Rogart, on the Duke of Sutherland's property. His father, Donald Sutherland, is a farm servant at Gordon Bush, parish of Creach. His wife's name is Janet Sutherland.
Adam Sutherland was formerly a labourer, and is now farm servant at Gordon Bush. He is unmarried.
His grandfather, William Sutherland, served in the Sutherland Fencibles in Ireland, 1798. he died at the age of eighty. His wife's name was Isabella Sutherland, and both belonged to the parish of Trogart.

Neil MacKay

Born 1830, at Achvoulderock, Tongue Ferry, in the parish of Tongue, formerly Lord Reay's property, now belonging to the Duke of Sutherland. His father, George MacKay, was ferryman at Tongue; he married Janet MacKay, and died aged fifty in 1841, when his widow and young family removed to Hope, in the parish of Durness.
Neil MacKay is ferryman at Hope; his boat crosses from Achvoulderoch, Tongue Ferry, to Hope Ferry. He married in 1863, Mary, daughter of William Munro, at Hope. He is a man of excellent character, and much respected in the district.
His grandfather, Charles MacKay, lived at Driemdhraven, near Rebigill, parish of Tongue. He served with the Reay Fencibles in Ireland, 1798, and after the regiment was disbanded, returned to his native parish. His wife's name was Henrietta Campbell. He was fourth in descent from Charles Dhu Mhic Mhor, youngest son of Donald, first Lord Reay. A brother of George MacKay's was in the 79th Highlanders. Neil's forefathers were famed for their good looks, manliness and strength.

Victorian author Amelia Murray MacGregor separately recorded detailed notes on various of the portraits and here is what she had to say about:

James Sutherland, Adam Sutherland and Neil Mackay. Signed and dated 1868
Sergeant James Sutherland wears the uniform of the 3rd Sutherland Rifle Volunteers and, like Adam Sutherland, wears the clan tartan. The latter carries bagpipes. MacKay wears plaid and kilt of his clan tartan. He has a sword with a unusual basket hilt with a square hole in the side plate. In the background is shown Ben Laoghail (Loyal) with the Kyle of Tongue, Sutherland. These men were paid their expenses while they were sitting to MacLeay at Tongue and Brora. 

 

 

 

 

Discover  who . . .

 Was the Queen's piper but ran a bagpipe business in London and had special permission to live outside Buckingham Palace

Found the Browns very insolent and impudent towards everybody

Was coachman of the Aberfeldy and Callander coach, and had only been able to give MacLeay short sittings on alternate days, which had caused 'a good deal of delay'

Who died in September 1885 after an accident in which he became caught up in a wire fence near the road between the Garbh Allt and Invercauld and was found by his sister after lying out in the open for nineteen hours

Emigrated to Australia in 1855

Was supposed to have been robbed and murdered in Glasgow in 1868, and his body found four months later in the Clyde

Is said to have dictated to MacLeay, just how John Brown was to be painted.