The Famous Faces of Clan Macfie

Let’s begin with a proper American household name. Katharine McPhee is an American singer-songwriter and actress who you’re likely to recognise from the hit American reality singing competition. It’s true— in May of 2006, she ended up as the runner-up on the fifth season of the show. As for her acting career, she’s most famous for her roles in Smash, The House Bunny, and Shark Night. Smash in particular was one of her greatest works as she got to use her singing voice in addition to breaking out as a television star. What we love most about this famous face is that she seems to have a very Scottish counterpart! But more on that later…

Ewan MacPhee was an army deserter who went on to become the very last Highland outlaw. He was born in the late 18th century in Lochaber, so he missed the bulk of the Jacobite Rebellions, but was no less rebellious himself. When MacPhee fled the army, he went to live on a small island in Loch Quoich, which is named after him in Gaelic today. He eventually became known as a kind of oracle who believed himself to possess supernatural powers, which certainly went along with the folkloric culture of the Highlands. Still, he continued to act as a thief and was, unfortunately, caught stealing cattle from his neighbours. After he was caught, he was taken to the infamous Fort William prison. Sadly, he died in prison

So, we told you that our first featured famous face had a Scottish counterpart, and here she is! Catherine-Ann MacPhee is a Scottish Gaelic singer from Barra in the Hebrides, but she has since hopped across the pond to Canada (we can totally relate, Cathy). In addition to her singing career, she has also worked in the theatre and in broadcasting in Scotland, England, Canada and more! As a child, she would sing for ceilidhs and eventually she ended up singing for major BBC productions. After a period living in Ottawa she moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 2017, which totally sounds like miss MacPhee was missing home.

John McPhee is a Grand Prix motorcycle racer from Oban, which is quite the unique famous face and a first for us as a featured motorcyclist. He is competing this year, 2022, for Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max team in the Moto3 World Championship! So far, he has earned a 5th place prize in Qatar. Prior to this, he competed in the British 125GP Championship, and the Spanish 125GP/Moto3 Championship. He is currently recovering from injuries, but we hope to see him back in the race soon. This is one fast McPhee!

Last but not least, we have a fictional, but just as beloved member of the clan—Nanny McPhee! Famously played by Emma Thompson, she is the title character of a 2005 film set in Victorian England. A bit Mary Poppins, Nanny McPhee is quite the mysterious nanny who comes with special powers in her attempt to tame a widower’s seven children. Nanny McPhee uses magic to teach the children about consequences and…well, no more spoilers! You’ll just have to watch the film for yourself…