Ewen MacPherson of Cluny

Ewen MacPherson of Cluny, also known as "Cluny Macpherson" (11 February 1706 – 30 June 1764), was the chief of the Clan MacPherson at the time of the Jacobite Rising of 1745. He took part as a supporter of Charles Edward Stuart and after the rebellion was crushed he went into hiding.

Ewan MacPherson (called Cluny) was born on 11 February 1706. He was the first born son of Lachlan MacPherson of Nuide (1674-1746). His mother was Jean Cameron, daughter of Sir Ewan 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’.

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.

The year 1742 marked his arrival into the interconnected world of Scottish affairs. On marrying Lord Lovat’s daughter Jean (Jenny) in 1742, Cluny took over management of his father’s estate. At the request of the Duke of Gordon (the clan’s feudal superior), he undertook to protect a wide area of land from cattle thieving.

Also in 1742, he signed a Bond of Friendship with his father-in-law Simon Fraser (Chief of Clan Fraser) and with his cousin, Donald Cameron (Chief of Clan Cameron), ‘binding themselves and their followers to stand by and support each other’. This was an attempt to loosen the tie to the Mackintoshes, and may have been a factor in his later recruitment to the Jacobite cause.

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