Clan MacPhail

On Sunday the 6th of August 2000, a ceremony to the memory of the Chiefs and clans folk of MacPhail of Inverarnie took place at Dunlichity church in Strathnairn Inverness-shire. This special day started some 12 months earlier when I realized that after years of research into the families of MacPhails throughout the world, very little had been left behind them in the old country to remember them by. So I put this idea to the Clan Phail society committee and commissioners in the USA. I found that all the committee supported me and especially Joe Broom in the USA. So it was decided that I should go ahead and arrange the event and the carving of the stone.

I enquired into whom needed to be involved and what design of plaque we should have. Firstly, I contacted the Minister at Dunlichity Church, the Reverend Lillian Bruce, who was a great help when I visited the Church in August ’99. We discussed what we wanted and the wording and style of plaque was contemplated. After a few ground rules were laid down I talked to the Lord Lyon to clarify a wording that would be historically correct and tasteful. The design of the stone was easy as the Clan MacGillivray had a similar ceremony some four years earlier. After visiting their stone and finding it was clear, tasteful and sympathetic with the historical surroundings, I discovered the stone mason and choose the same design and type of granite.

Next I contacted John Shaw of Tordarroch, who is knowledgeable in these matters and whose family is buried in the enclosure next to where I intended to erect the plaque. I wanted his support in placing and wording the plaque, and It was John’s advice which lead me to contact the Lord Lyon.

Planning the Ceremony

In June 2000 I learned that Reverend Bruce was quite ill and had been in hospital for some time so could not be perform the church service. I had sent the Rev. Bruce some information and history of the MacPhails so that she would be able to give an informed sermon. Luckily, the Reverend Alistair Younger, who had informed me of the Rev. Bruce’s illness, volunteered to perform the church service and the dedication of the plaque. Next I invited guests who would appreciate the significance of the event and would add some credence to the day, though everyone was welcome, especially MacPhails. I knew that I could always depend on the Clan Chattan Association (CCA) members as the loyal proud clans people they are.

I then asked John Mackintosh of Mackintosh to give a reading at the church service. As Chief of Clan Mackintosh and President of the Clan Chattan Association, he and his family were closely entwined with the history of the Clan Phail for hundreds of years. Luckily he accepted. So what have I forgot, yes you got it , I haven’t got a Piper! This is where a dear friend from Australia comes in. When the idea of a memorial was first voiced, Allan McBean of Melbourne, kindly volunteered to write three pipe tunes especially for the event. Allan not only wrote the three MacPhail tunes, but he also wrote two Mackfall tunes and a special one for John Mackintosh of Mackintosh, called “John Mackintosh of Mackintosh welcome to Australia 1999.” The MacPhail tunes are called “The Clan Phail” which is a march, and two Piobaireachd called, “The MacPhails Lament” and “The MacPhails banner.” Allan sent these fine tunes on tape, which came in useful, as I never did get a piper.

The Event, Finally!

On Thursday the 3rd of August, my wife and I set off for Inverness for the CCA Annual General Meeting and Dinner. It is a highlight of the clan year for most of us. The next day was the field fair at Moy Hall and with the CCA tent hosted by Celia Mackintosh of Mackintosh. On Friday night we drove up to Kingussie for the Macpherson Ball. We were joined by our good friends John and Karen Wilson of Kilwinnet, and Robert and Pauline Macgilivray and Rob Mackintosh from the United States.

On Saturday both John Wilson and myself joined in the Macpherson Clanmarch from “Old Ralia” to the Newtonmore Highland Games lead by Cluny Macpherson, the Chief of Clan Macpherson. The turn out was excellent with about 65 clansmen and a pipe band. In the evening I understand was the usual Celighd, although I don’t remember much about it as I am lead to believe I was a little worse for a dram or two.

We arrived at the church at Dunlichity at 6pm and set up the tape player and spoke with the Reverend. All I had to do now was hope people would come. Another good omen was that the weather was perfect, it was hot and dry, and probably the nicest day of the year so far.

People arrived — more than I could of have hoped. John Mackintosh of Mackintosh gave a perfect reading without a fault, and the Reverend also gave a very ”mindful“ sermon. He spoke of how family was so important and so were our roots as we all have a need to know who we are and where we came from. We then moved into the churchyard to the plaque. This was where I gave a short thank you to those involved, Reverend Younger, John Mackintosh for his reading and Allan McBean for the pipe music and the local residents for allowing us to invade their quiet peaceful church. I also thanked Celia Mackintosh, John and Sylvia Shaw, Pauline and Robert Macgilivray and the Kilwinnets, for attending and making the event special. I also thank Rex Davidson for making a heroic dash from Inverness to Edinburgh and then to Perth before returning to Dunlichity and just walking into the church as the service started. Also, Jamie Scarlet, who I was so pleased to see, as I think of dear Meta as she was a good friend and is dearly missed. Also to the Clan Phail Society in North America for their donation towards the plaque. A special thank you to all those who came and remembered the MacPhails.

We then listened to the special pipe music “The Clan Phail” followed by the Reverends dedication of the memorial stone. This was a very special occasion for me and those who attended. It showed that we haven’t forgotten our past and those who went before, because if they had not survived we would not be here to remember them. We continue their lives but in more comfortable settings. It was a peaceful, relaxing ceremony with friendly, caring people and great weather. The plaque reads as follows: