Allan Macpherson-Fletcher, Badenoch
What is your object and how did it come to be in your possession?
The object I’ve chosen is a silver taper holder. These used to be used in the olden days to light cigars and probably paraffin lamps throughout the house and would have been kept beside the fire in readiness to be lit from the fire. This little silver object came to myself on the death of my Aunt, Peggy Brewster Macpherson who married Harry Brewster Macpherson of Balavil in the late 1940’s. The taper holder would have been passed down the family from Harry’s father or grandfather.
Why have you chosen this object for the Macphersoniana project?
I’ve chosen this object because of it’s interesting inscription on the silver ball which states “Through Balavil’s fire I came alright and now, behold, I’m still alight!”. This refers to the disastrous fire on Christmas Eve 1903 when Balavil House burnt to the ground. The main portion of the house was completely destroyed with the roof ending up in the cellars. The east wing was partially damaged. Fortunately that evening there was a barn dance being held for the staff at Mains of Balavil and so when the fire took hold many staff came to the house and salvaged as much as possible of the furniture and paintings. However, I suspect this little object was discovered some while later amongst the debris of the fire, restored to the Laird who had it suitably inscribed.
Why is this object important to you and what does it mean to you?
Of all the items of silver which my Aunt had from Balavil House this small item was always my favourite as a child. It is very tactile and the inscription on it always made be think how a very utilitarian piece of silver but which survived the fire, could be of such importance to the family. I imagine most of the best silver was rescued at the time of the fire but this little piece rising from the ashes and now restored to a place of pride beside the fireplace is very important to myself.
What does this object tell us about what it means to be a Macpherson?
I think there is something important about this small item being resurrected from the fire and reinstated as an important piece. Though by no means of any great value it is a link to the Macphersons who lived in the house before the fire and possibly going back to James Macpherson who built the house in the late 18th Century, and passed to his son, grandson and great-grandson. It is now in my possession and something which will be passed on to at least 2 future generations to remind them of the importance of continuity.
Macphersoniana 