AN IMPRESSIVE replica of a 17th century outlaw’s sword has been constructed by a Banff group in the hope that the original can be found.
The five-foot-long medieval-style sword belonged to James Macpherson the freebooter, who was hanged in the town in 1700.
The idea is the latest project of the Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association.
Legend has it that Macpherson had the title of the ‘Robin Hood of the North’.
He led a band of gypsies, who rustled cattle in the area and seemed too cunning to be caught.
However, Macpherson was finally apprehended by Lord Alexander Duff of Braco at St Rufus Fair in Keith, and brought to the jail in Banff.
He was tried at the town’s sheriff court and found guilty of being a thief.
A keen fiddle player, Macpherson is said to have written a tune titled Macpherson’s Lament or Rant.
On the day of his execution, he was taken to the gallows in Low Street and, as a last request, he played his tune and then offered his fiddle to the crowd, but no one dared to take it as Lord Braco was present, and they feared they would be associated with the outlaw.
Macpherson then broke it over his knee. A reprieve was said to be on his way to pardon Macpherson and when Braco heard of this he put the town clock in Banff forward by 15 minutes to make sure Macpherson was hanged.
Now the Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association have had a replica constructed to see if the original can be found.
Stanley Bruce, secretary with the group, said: “We arranged for Stanley Smart, a blacksmith in Aberchirder, to construct the sword.
“It was said that Lord Braco took his sword and placed it in the armoury at Duff House, however it’s not there anymore.
“We hope the replica will make someone come forward with the original and it can go to Banff Museum, and the replica to the Clan Macpherson Museum in Newtonmore. In the meantime, the replica will stay at Banff Museum,” said the heritage group secretary.
Robert Taylor from Peterhead turned the handle and DJR Water Jetting in Oldmeldrum cut the blade.
Mr Bruce added: “We are grateful to all the people who help construct the sword as they gave their time for free.”
