Meet the Chief of Clan Fergusson

We know you will have many responsibilities as Chief, but what would you say your main role is? To provide continuity and to be a figurehead that helps the Clan to maintain its sense of identity.

What is your earliest memory of being connected to Clan Fergusson? As a small boy, seeing my grandfather, the then Chief, in his Fergusson tartan dinner jacket and realising it had the same pattern as my (very small) kilt.

Why do you think it’s important to pass down heritage and educate younger generations about their links to their family clans? In our ever-changing and increasingly divided world it’s terribly important to emphasise and make the most of the things that unite us.

We are curious to know how many kilts you own and what is the oldest kilt in your collection? We have several kilts in the family; one that belonged to my grandfather, a previous Chief, and is now worn by my son, the next Chief; it is probably about eighty years old. I now wear a relatively new kilt. There is a lady’s kilt and a child’s kilt that circulate around the family as required. I also have a pair of Fergusson tartan trews that I like to wear in the evening on certain formal occasions.

How did it feel growing up knowing you would take the Chiefship over from your father? Is this a role you always looked forward to fulfilling? It has always been a source of quiet pride to be next in line for this appointment and yes, I have always thought that I would find it rewarding when the time came. I wasn’t expecting it to feel such a privilege.

The Fergusson Clan are lucky enough to have a great choice of tartan variations, but which is your favourite or do you wear a selection of different clan tartans? My kilt is Fergusson Ancient and my trews are Fergusson Modern. I’m extremely fond of both. I think perhaps that the Fergusson Ancient is more suited to the daytime than to the evening, but that is a very personal opinion.

What do you love most or what is most rewarding about being Chief? Do you have any grand plans for the future of Clan Fergusson? It gives me great satisfaction to see, through the Clan Society, the effect on its members of having a Chief. There are many Fergussons in Australia where interest in the Clan connection is growing, and I hope that this continues. The Fergussons in the Netherlands are enthusiastic about their heritage and I am keen to re-establish a connection with them as well.

What is the most prominent part of Clan Fergusson history that you think everyone should know? That there were Fergussons fighting on both sides at the Battle of Culloden. This speaks volumes about our Clan history and about Scottish history.