Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 7, 1899

THE CELTIC MONTHLY:
A MAGAZINE FOB HIGHLANDERS.
Edited by JOHN MACKAY, Glasgow.
No. 2 Vol. VII.]
NOVEMBER, 1898.
[Price Threepence.
PETER MACDONALD, GLASGOW.
., tF the many natives
J ill of Koss-shire who
PS-ifO have settled and
prospered in Glasgow there
is no one better known or
more highly respected than
the Highlander who forms
the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Peter Macdonald,
although still a comparatively young man, has
already, by his indomitable perseverance and
native ability, earned for himself a position of
influence which reflects upon him the greatest
credit, and which may be only considered as a
stepping stone to higher honours.
Mr. Macdonald is a native of Portmahomack,
Easter Ross, and came to Glasgow over thirty
years ago as manager of the rectifying depart-
ment of Messrs. James Mackenzie, Sons, & Co.
On Mr. Mackenzie's death in 1876, Mr. Mao-
don;ild acquired the business, and during the
intervening years he has, by close attention to
business, made an extensive and valuable con-
nection, his firm now occupying a prominent
position in the wholesale trade. It is not our
intention here to refer more particularly to the
firm's specialties, for we have no doubt that
many of our readers are quite able to speak from
experience of the excellence of their blends ; it
is sutticient to say that they have stood the test
of years, and have lost none of their popularity,
than which no better test could be applied to
any goods. Mr. Macdonald is the owner of
the large range of buildings in which his oflioes
are situated, but no one could have any idea
of the labyrinth of vaults and cellars, filled
with a vast stock of wines, spirits, and trade
requisites, which underlie these buildings.
unless he had been personally through them.
Just as Mr. Macdonald has been successful in
business, so also has he been in other spheres.
Asa Highlander there are few better known in
Celtic circles in Glasgow than the clansman of
whom we write. At clan and county gatherings
his presence is always welcome. Of course, in
the Ross-shire Association there is no more
prominent personality than that of Mr. Mac
donald, for he has been a member for very many
years, and has held nearly every oflice. Many
a poor unfortunate Ross-shire man, "down on
his luck" in this great city, has been assisted by
him, and many a promising lad, now occupying
a good position in Glasgow, owes his first start
in life to the influence of the subject of this
sketch. The Clan Macdonald Society also has
a good friend in Mr. Macdonald. He is a Vice-
President, while his son, Mr. John Macdonald,
is the able and energetic Joint Secretary of the
Society. The Annual Social Gathering of the
clan, by the way, takes place in Glasgow on the
28th October, Clanranald presiding, and we
hope to see a large and enthusiastic attendance.
A brief reference might be made to the masonic
craft, in which he occupies a prominent place.
For twenty years he was a member of Star
Lodge, 219, of which he was R. W. M. for two
years. This year Mr. Macdonald was the
recipient of a handsome presentation from his
brother masons. It consisted of a valuable
silver salver, which bore the following inscrip-
tion : — " Presented to Brother and Mrs. Mac-
donald, along with an I. P. M's jewel, fish and
fruit knives, and to Miss Macdonald a diamond
bracelet" His two sons, John and William,
were at the same time presented with gold
scarf pins.
Before concluding, reference might suitably
be made to the tangible way in which he
remembered the place of his birth. In 1892,
Mr. Macdonald presented the busy fishing town
of Portmahomack with a magnificent drinking
fountain and cattle trough, which is considered
the most prominent feature of the district.
The event was made the occasion of great