The following e-mail was sent to all members of the Clan
MacThomas Society who have registered their e-mail address on
27th August 2015.
Dear Member,
*****
Greetings from
the Clan MacThomas Society! We are contacting you to let
you know of an exciting project being undertaken by a young
artist named Scott Clark who grew up in Glenisla - in the old
MacThomas Territory of our 7th Chief, the legendary McComie
Mor.
*****
Scott is
proposing to undertake a project he is calling
"McComie Mor - on the hill with Iain Mor".
Although we do have quite a lot of written information about
McComie Mor, there is very little to illustrate it. By careful
research Scott hopes to be able to bring alive this written
work through his photographs and paintings.
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There are
three parts to the project:
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1. An online photography
exhibition based on the lands held by McComie
Mor. Using the 19th century descriptions of
territories held by Clan MacThomas during the lifetime of
McComie Mor, the project will aim to define these boundaries
and to physically search for them in order to photograph and
document them as the original markers and ancient drystane
dykes. It will also include a complete series of
photographs of all known sites relating to the life of McComie
Mor including, with permission from the relevant landowners,
Finegand, Forter and Crandart, as well as sites relating to
the legends and tales, e.g. the engraved stones that once were
built into the stronghold of Crandart Ha', McComie's Chair,
Well and Putting Stone.
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2.
A website www.macthomaidh.com will
be set up to feature the photography exhibition and new art,
but it will also provide collated and accessible online space
for research and information relating to the life of McComie
Mor.
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3. An original portrait
in oil paint of McComie Mor. McComie Mor was a
real man "not an imaginary character from folk lore" and the
artist will carefully search out descriptions of him and study
photographs of his known descendants in order to portray the
best possible likeness. This original representation will be
donated to The Clan MacThomas Society and a limited edition of
prints will be given to the sponsors.
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The project is
described in detail at:
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The Clan
MacThomas Society Council recommend that you take a look at
it. Crowdfunder is a recognised media for raising funds
to sponsor such projects through pledges. Please note that if
the target is not met the pledges will not be drawn and the
project will be abandoned. The closing date for pledges is
15th September 2015.
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Finegand and the
Council believe this is a worthwhile project. It would produce
a website devoted to McComie Mor that would complement our
own, www.clanmacthomas.com.
The new website would help to bring alive the legend of
Glenshee and Glenisla and ensure that this great chief is
remembered through the centuries to come.
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Although Finegand and
Council have endorsed this project, any pledge you may wish to
make will be your personal decision to sponsor Scott Clark and
his project.
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Let's make the
McComie Mor Photography, Website and Portrait a
reality!
*****
Yours
aye,
*****
The Clan
MacThomas Society
*****
PS: You are
welcome to forward this email to your friends and relations
who may be interested in this project.
The Clan
MacThomas Society, 15 Gardiner Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3RP,
Scotland.
