Tartan Tales of Clan Murray

Throughout the month of September we have been celebrating all things Clan Murray. We have met some famous faces, visited many sites, and gained great insight into the history of this ancient clan. Finally, we called upon the valued Clan members to share their stories and we had a fantastic response; read the blog to find out more!

Grant emailed us some tartan-tastic photos of his suit and a family wedding. Grant says:

"My son, Findlay Murray was married in NZ during COVID. None of the immediate family could travel to NZ to attend so we brought the wedding party back to Scotland in 2023 and celebrated with the extended family who missed out on the original nuptials."

Celebrating Findlay and Caitlan's Wedding

"This is the group photo of the “Clan” gathering to celebrate the wedding of Findlay and Caitlan in Scotland.

My father, the patriarch, Keith Murray is in the middle resplendent in bonnet and Clan Murray trews. I’m front row, right in tailor made three piece Ancient Murray of Atholl. I purchased the tartan online from you at Scotland Shop and had the suit made for me here in NZ. "

Grant in his Murray of Atholl Ancient tartan suit

Kate's husband and daughter in Murray of Atholl Ancient tartan

Kate sent in this wondeful photo - don't they look gorgeous?!

"Here is a photo of my husband and daughter at Cringletie house for my sister in laws wedding. Cringletie is my husband’s (Wolfe-Murray) ancestral home in Peebleshire.  

Here they are wearing Murray of Atholl Ancient." 

L-r: Kathryn, Katelyn, Cameron and David Murray

Another fantastic story from Linda who shared photos of a Murray tartan wedding:

"Cameron Murray at his wedding April 30, 2022 with his mother Kathryn, wife Katelyn and father David. The bride's sister and brother, the brother is wearing the Murray plaid tie.  

The Bride's sister and brother (in Murray tartan tie)

The Murray garter that the bride's grandmother gave with the following added: 

Something Old :  The old rice from a former successful wedding 

Something New:  The Garter

Something Borrowed:  The Penny I loan to you for life and for good fortune

Something Blue :  The Blue-Ribbon tie on the rice bag 

Murray tartan garter Linda made

"It was a beautiful wedding with family from Scotland (Murray Clan) coming to Arkansas to celebrate. The wedding was in Fayetteville, Arkansas where the Bride and Groom live.  Cameron Murray is an Associate Professor of Engineering at the University of Arkansas.

Sent to you from the Bride's Grandmother."

Thank you Linda!

Image credits: Jenn Terrell at www.jennterrell.com

More wonderful photos and stories from Phyllis about her Murray connection and a trip to Scotland:

Phyllis and Jack in Murray tartan

"Ready to attend Celtic Service at Olivet Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, VA, USA." (above)

Phyllis at the Scotland celebration in Mount Dora

"Unexpectedly happened onto the Scotland Celebration in Mount Dora, Florida USA.  The Murray’s graciously shared some tartan after vetting my Scottish roots through my maternal grandmother and I proudly marched with Clan Murray in the Parade while my Clan Forbes niece took pictures. That’s me front-center along with the Murray’s waiting for our place in the parade. " 

Phyllis' grandmother (left)

"The third picture is of my grandmother, Jessie (Janet) Murray, who was born in Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire, April 17 (or maybe 19) 1866, in her wedding photo to Henry Lapham. They had a ranch in Montana, finally retiring to Virginia."  
 

In 2018 Phyllis and Jack visited Scotland - here are some photos from their trip:

Phyllis, Jack and the Lovell family

"We had dinner with our American pastor and his family. They spent a year 2018-2019 in Edinburgh while he took classes at the University of Edinburgh."
 

Above Left-Right: Jack & Phyllis Adams; The Lovell family: Brittney and Rev. Seth holding Asher; Kylie and Norah in front.

Phyllis at Edinburgh Castle

Phyllis at Edinburgh Castle with St. Margaret’s Chapel in background.

"We took this picture (above) for our daughter-in-law, Patricia Gilmer (nee Boswell).

Love sharing these wonderful memories. Thank you for the opportunity."

You're very welcome, Phyllis! Thank you for sharing them all with us.

Rodd sent in a couple of great photos of him in his Murray tartan kilt!

"I’m the 7th great grandchild of Dr. William Murray, originally from Scotland, 1692-1763. Born in Tullebardine Castle, as the son of Jacobite William Murray, he had to migrate to the US in 1716 to Cambridge MD. 

Minnesota Scottish Fair & Highland Games at MacCalester College in St. Paul this summer." 

Stephen sent in this wonderful photo of him trying out Scottish dancing!

"Shooting at Glen App, I tried my hand at traditional Scottish dancing while wearing my Murray kilt.  Suffice it to say, the lasses were patient teachers, but ultimately determined I was a lost cause."

Rachel shared her beautiful Murray story with us - thank you, Rachel!

"Growing up in Hawick, I didn’t always feel a deep connection to my Scottish roots. But one thing I did always feel was a strong sense of pride in being a Murray. My surname was something I always carried with quiet confidence, knowing it symbolized hard work, resilience, and community. Something that I first saw in my late papa Sonny Murray, and my dad, Steven Murray. It was only recently that I did some digging into my family’s history and Clan Murray’s legacy that my pride deepened. 

Sonny Murray was one of the biggest influences in my life. He embodied values I admire the most – dedication, selflessness, and an unwavering commitment to his community. Though I’ve travelled far from Hawick, my papa’s legacy, along with the strength of the Murray name, is something I carry with me wherever I go. The love that I feel for him goes beyond our family, the people of Hawick loved and appreciated him as much as we did. This dedication has continued onto his children, and his grandchildren. My father, Steven Murray, inherited this same work ethic and quiet strength. Growing up, watching them both has been a huge influence in shaping who I am today. I am immensely proud of them both and grateful for the lessons they passed onto me. 

While I am deeply rooted in my hometown Hawick, centred in the rolling hills of the Borders, my love for travelling and exploring has always been a big part of my life. I was lucky to grow up in a family who could cater to that love and show me different parts of the world. One of my most significant experiences was a trip I did solo. I spent a year in China as an ESL teacher. Living in a different culture and working with students of all ages taught me adaptability and resilience, and to feed my curiosity and to not let fear stop me from doing things. I believe learning these things on my own terms, on my own two feet, would be something that I hope the Murray ancestors would be proud of, and potentially the same path they led in their own way. 

I pursued my degree in International Business in the city of Glasgow. There, I had the honour of being named a Saltire Scholar – a program that connects students with amazing opportunities beyond the classroom and into vastly varying industries shaping our country’s future. As a Saltire Scholar, I interned with a vertical farming company called Intelligent Growth Solutions. I helped create an APAC process for their Singapore base. It was an incredible experience, blending traditional methods of farming with innovation – much like the forward-thinking spirit that has always been part of the Murray legacy. Just like how the Murrays once cultivated medical plants like sand leek, I wanted to leave a positive and lasting impact on the organisation, much like what they did for me.

Now that I prepare to pursue a new adventure with a graduate program down south, I carry the values that have shaped my life. The hard work from my papa Sonny, the dedication from my dad, and the adventurous spirit that runs through the Murray bloodline. They are all a part of who I am now, and I will be proud of where I come from and the strong heritage of my hometown Hawick and my family. 

Okay, so my story may not be filled with grand castles or battlefields but is every bit as impressive. From my Papa and his Uni-parts shop to his selfless volunteering, to my dad’s tireless efforts, they’ve shown me what it means to be a Murray. I can only hope to one day honour their legacy in the paths I take and the work I can do." 

David Smith in his wonderful Murray trews that we made for him! 

Unfortunately September has come to an end, that certainly doesn't mean our love for Clan Murray is over, so be sure to get in touch with us if you fancy chatting all things Murray!