CLAN CHIEF
PHILIP FARQUHARSON, 17th OF INVERCAULD
Following the recent passing of our late Clan Chief, Alwyne is succeeded as Chief by his Great-Nephew, Philip Farquharson, 17th of Invercauld. Philip was appointed by the late Chief earlier this year and also succeeded him as Chieftain of the Ballater Highland Games on 1st May 2021. Philip has already shown great dedication to the Clan in recent years, regularly attending events and providing valuable support as Acting Secretary and Archivist of Clan Farquharson UK.
Philip was born and educated in London, eldest son of James Compton and Rebecca Wigan, with five younger siblings and half-siblings. When aged 12 and in his final year before secondary school, at St Philip’s school, he was made head boy, showing an early flair for leadership skills and responsibility. After several years at red-brick Universities, where he attained an undergraduate degree and two Masters’ degrees, he worked as a private client archivist and researcher, resulting in several academic publications initially as a Compton but latterly as Philip Farquharson.
In 2007 he married Lilibeth, his Venezuelan wife, and they have two daughters, Heather and Iona. Throughout University years Philip travelled extensively, and lived and worked in both Yemen and Venezuela, learning their respective languages and continuing his hobby of amateur ornithology. In his free time he also enjoys painting, particularly Scottish landscapes but also scenes from countries he has travelled around.
For the last six years Philip has moved away from his career as an archivist and into local governance, where he works as a Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer for a Council in Milton Keynes, a new town in the south of England. He enjoys enforcing local governance rules and regulations, and working for the benefit of the community. Throughout these last five or six years he has had the benefit of shadowing his great uncle, Alwyne Farquharson of Invercauld, who sadly passed away on October 06th 2021, at the age of 102. He has gradually taken on the roles of Chieftain of the Ballater Highland Games, Vice-patron of the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering, laird and trustee of Invercauld and Chief of the Clan Farquharson, positions he values greatly.
