Two portraits of members of the Chief of Clan Grant’s household now on display in the National Museum of Scotland www. nms.ac.uk © Duncan McGlynn
The oil paintings by Richard Waitt were commissioned in 1713 by Alexander, the Laird of Grant, as part of a larger series depicting prominent clan members. They were created for Castle Grant, the chief’s seat near Grantown-on-Spey, intended to impress visitors and convey the Laird’s traditional authority and status as a Highland chieftain. Shown wearing distinctive Highland dress, the subjects are ‘The Piper’ (William Cumming) and ‘The Champion to the Laird of Grant’ (Alasdair Mòr Grant). The bagpipe and the basket-hilted sword are symbols of their ceremonial positions, emblematic of traditional clan values and customs.