The President and Committee of the Bundanoon Highland Gathering are delighted to announce that Lord Strathspey has accepted their offer to be the Chieftain of the Day in 2025. Sir Michael Grant of Grant, Lord Strathspey, 34th Chief of Clan Grant was born in Edinburgh in 1953. A Chartered Surveyor by profession, Sir Michael has enjoyed a career in Project Development, Asset Management, Sales and Lettings. He has travelled extensively, working on projects throughout Europe, the USA, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
Now retired, Sir Michael’s interests span a wide range of subjects including property, design, architecture and art. As a person who likes to travel and connect with people, Sir Michael’s vision is to “Think Global” when it comes to building and growing the Clan Grant community. His wish is to promote the Clan traditions throughout the world, strengthening bonds and preserving the Clan Grant history – for this generation and the next. As the Chief of Clan Grant, Sir Michael takes particular pride in the Clan Grant history.
The Grant 1714 tartan
Inspired by two 18th century paintings of the Grant Champion and Piper by the artist Richard Waitt, he has reintroduced the Grant 1714 tartan, one of the earliest tartans on record. The Grant 1714 is one of the earliest tartans on record and has recently been reintroduced and authorised by Sir Michael Grant of Grant. In July 1704, Alexander Grant, the eldest son of Ludovick, Chief of Grant, instructed his tenants and clansmen to be prepared to muster in Heighland Coates trewes and short hose of tartaine of red and Greine sett broad springed.” This directive was recorded in the Court Book of the Regality of Grant. Whilst there is no surviving remnant of this Strathspey red and green tartan, there are strong clues as to the specific sett (pattern) of the time.
In 1714, Richard Waitt–an artist who travelled the highlands, accepted a commission from the Laird of Grant to paint life-sized portraits of William Cumming, the Laird’s Piper, and Alister Mohr Grant, the Laird’s Champion. Both portraits depict highlanders in ceremonial tartans of red and green, which were almost certainly woven by the same weaver. Described by Waitt on his invoice as advivum pinxit (Latin for “painted to life”), they were large scale and presented exactly as he saw them. The new tartan has been registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans and Design Registry in the name of the present Chief, Lord Strathspey, 34th Chief of Grant.
Bundanoon Highland Gathering takes place in the NSW Southern Highlands, Saturday April 5th. For details see: www.brigadoon.org.au.