Norman & Mary McPherson

Norman G. McPherson Esq KHT, OLJ, OMLJ, CSt.N, FSA(Scot)

Burgess of Guild of the City and Royal Burgh of Aberdeen

Personal Bannerman to Sir William Alan – Chief of Clan Macpherson

I served as a deep-sea Engineering Officer in the Merchant Marine service and then 32 years in the oil industry (1973 – 2005). I saw the North Sea develop from virtually conception in Aberdeen, from just 3 exploration oil rigs through the boom times and finally to the start of decommissioning of redundant production platforms. I was involved with many of the technically advanced world firsts within the drilling industry which the UK experienced during this time.

Retiring from the industry due to health problems I continued to consult for a couple more years within the industry with spells in various overseas locations culminating in being part of a world experts team to help guide the Indian Government in the improvement of their handling of oilfields in Assam.

It is then that I escalated other interests which I could then devote more time to.

Having been a member of the Clan Macpherson Association since the early 60s I was elected as Scottish Branch Chairman, served on the association council, became a “Na Diònadairean Clann Mhuirich” or guardian of the Macpherson Museum in Newtonmore and was honoured to become the banner bearer for the chief of the clan (Sir William Alan Macpherson). I still serve on the committee of the now Scotland and Northern Ireland branch.

After the Homecoming of the Clans difficulties arose as to the handling of the event and the treatment of the Highland Clans participating. Fergus Ewing the then Minister for tourism became involved to try and resolve the problems. I was asked by Fergus and accepted to become a founder member of a six people group with the interests of the highland clans at heart which is now the Highland Clan Partnership Group who act as a conduit between the clans and the various government bodies and tourist agencies to look after their interests. I served on the working group with the National Trust to produce the “Bannockburn Live event” and am presently the representative working with Visit Scotland to revamp their website in respect to all the Clans and Family Names of Scotland.

I now also serve on the Council of the Clan Chattan Confederacy Association and on the committee of the Association of Highland Clan associations trying to preserve the culture and promote the traditions of the Highland Clans of Scotland.

An interest in Heraldry followed this and I was awarded my own Coat of Arms by the Lord Lyon in 2015. At the same time as my application for Arms I was inducted into the ancient military and hospitaller order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem as an Officer of the crusader order in 2013 and subsequently promoted to an Officer of Merit in 2017. In 2018 I was promoted to Commander. I serve on the committee for the Aberdeen group who raise funds for local charities and on the council for the Grand Bailiwick of Scotland where funds are raised for larger charities especially concerned with leprosy and eye disease.

In 2014 I was inducted as a Knight within the Confraternity of the Knights of the Most Holy Trinity and awarded a Cross of Merit of St Nicodemus of Palermo in 2015.

Both of the previous two organisations stem from the crusades but now are mainly concerned with raising funds for charities

In 2015 I was honoured by becoming a Burgess of Guild of the City and Royal Burgh of Aberdeen.

In 2018 I was elected as president of the Aberdeen Burns Club after several years on the committee.

Mary McPherson

Apart from bringing up three children, being mother and father more than half the time, when Norman was offshore or overseas, I worked within retail accountancy, in a lawyers office, handled accounts in Her Majesty’s Theatre and also in a care home. I also assisted our church with pastoral care for our elderly members.

I have been involved with The Clan McPherson Association for many years becoming a life member in 1978 and have played a part every year helping with arrangements for the annual clan rallies. I presently serve on the Scotland and Northern Ireland committee. I am a “Na Diònadairean Clann Mhuirich” or guardian of the Macpherson Museum in Newtonmore since around 1998.

I was inducted into the military and hospitallar order of St Lazarus as an Officer in 2013 and subsequently promoted to an Officer of Merit in 2017 and a Commander in 2018. I serve on the committee for the Aberdeen group who raise funds for local charities and on the social committee for the Grand Bailiwick of Scotland where funds are raised for larger charities especially concerned with leprosy and eye disease.