WORK IS IN HAND to form a virtual museum, an archive of pictures and memorabilia relating to Murray history. Have a look at some favourite items from the Head Trustee's private collection. The aim is to preserve the papers and items in his care for the benefit of future generations.

Commemorative medal depicting George Iain Murray, 10th Duke of Atholl (1982). Obverse: Bust of the Duke of Atholl (left) in highland dress. Legend: 'SILVER JUBILEE 1957-82 GEORGE IAIN MURRAY.' Inscription: '10th DUKE OF ATHOLL.' Reverse: Blair Castle within a circle formed by a garter belt. Legend: 'BLAIR CASTLE.'

Rare livery button of the Murray baronets of Ochtertyre dated 1820-40. Motto: REST FROM WAR. Wealthy families each had a uniform in “livery colours” mainly for the male servants such as the footmen and coachmen. This image is reproduced with permission of Castle Cluggy Charitable Trust.

The albumen print, also called albumen silver print, is a method of producing a photographic print using egg whites. Published in January 1847 by Louis Désiré Blanquart-Evrard, it was the first commercial process of producing a photo on a paper base from a negative, previous methods - such as the daguerreotype and the tintype - having been printed on metal. It became the dominant form of photographic positives from 1855 to the start of the 20th-century, with a peak in the 1860–90 period. During the mid-19th-century, the carte de visite became one of the more popular uses of the albumen method. In the 19th-century, E. & H. T. Anthony & Company were the largest makers and distributors of albumen photographic prints and paper in the United States.

Ochtertyre and Castle Cluggy - Ancestral seat of the Murray Baronets of Ochtertyre

In 1829, Anthony Murray, 10th of Dollerie, married Georgina Murray, daughter of Sir Patrick Murray, sixth baronet of Ochtertyre. It is thought that Georgina brought much in the way of dowry and possessions upon her betrothal. This is a letter from her (and added to by Anthony) to his sister, sent from Ochtertyre. Georgina is responding to a letter where the sister appears to have sung the praises of her brother to her, and Georgina expresses her happiness at how she is being treated by all his family. In turn, Anthony adds a sentimental note, referring to their Aunt, and then providing detailed instructions for the retrieval of his father’s "green box" and his "best black hat with its hat box" and to send them to him with "the strictest injunctions of care to the handlers".

Georgina was the great-granddaughter of George Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Cromartie. Mackenzie was known for joining the Jacobite rebellion in 1745, with whom he served until April 1746 when he was arrested and taken prisoner following his prominent role in the Battle of Littleferry. Although he received a pardon and was not sentenced to death, he forfeited his peerage, estates and wealth which reduced him to extreme poverty, before his death in 1766. Mackenzie's youngest daughter, Lady Augusta married into the Murray family of Ochtertyre in 1770. Georgina Murray was the daughter of Sir Patrick Murray of Ochtertyre, 6th Baronet  and Lady Mary Anne Hope. She married Anthony Murray of Dollerie, son of Anthony Murray and Helen Bower, on 19 October 1829 at Madderty, Perthshire, Scotland. She died on 18 April 1877. Children of Georgina Murray and Anthony Murray of Dollerie:-

Anthony George Murray b. 29 Sep 1830

Mary Anne Murray b. 29 Nov 1831

Georgina Helen Murray b. 3 Nov 1832

Patrick Murray b. 14 Aug 1834

Augusta Campbell Murray b. 25 May 1836

Charlotte Joanna Murray b. 15 Jan 1838

William Keith Murray b. 9 Feb 1839

Isabella Louisa Murray b. 29 Apr 1841

Frances Amelia Jemima Murray b. 4 Aug 1843, d. 7 Oct 1874

Williamina Murray b. 19 Feb 1845.

This is a unique late 19th-century black japanned tin deed trunk, complete with cast iron handles and a hinged lid that opens to reveal spacious storage. Crafted during the Victorian period (1837-1901), this original trunk is a testament to the quality and craftsmanship of the era. It belonged to MAJOR ALEXANDER BRUCE MURRAY of Touchadam and Polmaise, born 24th June 1840. On 16th October 1890, he married Mary, daughter of Cecil M. Stephenson, and they had one son, Alastair John Greville Murray, born 22nd July 1894.

Alastair John Greville Murray from Relugas, 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. Alastair was born in Edinburgh. He was the only son of Major Alexander Bruce Murray, Laird of Touchadam and Polmaise, near Stirling, who had married Mary Stephenson in 1890. Major Alexander’s mother was Elizabeth Bruce. The family owned Relugas Estate. His death and his link to Relugas were confirmed in the announcement of his death in the Evening Telegraph of 21st September 1914. Alastair went to Winchester and became a House Prefect. He is commemorated on the memorial there. He entered Sandhurst in 1913 and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders on 25th February 1914. The Battalion left for France on 14th August 1914 and Murray’s D Company was initially allocated to escort duties for Douglas Haig. On 11th September they rejoined their Battalion.

After the Battle of the Marne, the Germans retreated northwards and dug in on elevated ground immediately to the north of the River Aisne. This marked the end of the ‘war of movement’ and the beginning of trench warfare. The British and French crossed to the north bank of the Aisne, but found themselves at the foot of steep slopes surmounted by well prepared German positions. Alastair almost certainly fell in one of the many uphill assaults made on 14th September on the Chemin des Dames, a road of about 14 miles in length, running along a narrow ridge overlooking the Aisne. His D Company was given the objective of taking the sugar factory between Troyon and Cerny. He died of his wounds on 14th September 1914 aged 20.

There is a floor plaque in his memory in Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church in Stirling as well as the Edinkillie War Memorial. He is also commemorated on the La Ferte sous Joarre Memorial and he is remembered on the Cambusbarron Memorial outside the Bruce Memorial Church. He is buried in Mountcornet Military Cemetery Row L Grave B. His death ended more than four hundred years of male line of succession and his sister Mary Elizabeth inherited the family estates. She married Claud Archibald MacKenzie Bruce Hamilton, 13th of Barns and Cochno in 1916.

This original five page booklet, which has been added to by the owner, is ideal for historical researchers.