Ewen MacPherson

Ewen MacPherson of Cluny, known as "Cluny Macpherson" (11 February 1706 – 30 January 1764), was the Chief of Clan MacPherson during the Jacobite Rising of 1745. He took part as a leading supporter of Prince Charles Edward Stuart. After the rebellion was crushed, he went into hiding and eventually escaped to France. He was the uncle of poet James Macpherson, who collected, translated, and adapted the epic poem Ossian, based upon the Fenian Cycle of Celtic mythology. Early life Cluny MacPherson was born on 11 February 1706. He was the first-born son of Lachlan MacPherson of Nuide (1674-1746). His mother was Jean Cameron, a daughter of Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel. Cluny grew up to be a respected individual. His father-in-law, Lord Lovat, described him as "a thorrow good natur'd, even temper'd, honest gentleman". Physically he was described as "of a low stature, very square, and a dark brown complection". Clan MacPherson The territory of the Clan MacPherson covered Badenoch, south-east of Loch Ness, but the Macphersons were also part of a federation of other clans, called the Chattan Confederation (also called Clan Chattan). This alliance, which dated back to the 13th century, included the Mackintoshes, MacGillivrays, Davidsons, Shaws, and others. A meeting of these allied clans in 1724 established that leadership was with the Mackintoshes.