A skull in a Harrods food hall box, a 19th-century letter, and the start of a medieval love story that reshaped three Highland clans, the Grants, the MacGregors and the Comyns (later the Cummings). This is the start of a story of forensics, Scottish clans, morbid fascination, medieval life in the Scottish Highlands and an ancient curse. In this episode, Dan Cottam, curator of Grantown Museum, explains how he came to be holding a human head, a skull sawn cleanly across the forehead and fitted with a hinge. He decides he needs to know who this person is. Lord Reidhaven, a direct descendant of the Clan Grant chiefs, describes how he came across the skull in a Harrod’s box in his father’s home, after years in storage, and explains why he brought it to the museum. He tells Dan what he knew of the skull growing up, its legend and its curse. He reads the opening of the letter written in 1857 to the Countess of Seafield, known as the last of the great feudal chiefs, a letter which tells of the legend surrounding the skull. Storyteller Isobella Hubbard takes us through the start of the legend, while Dan Cottam details the historical context of medieval Scottish HIghland life relating to the story. Dan meets Cat Irving a Human Remains Conservator from the Surgeons Hall Museum Edinburgh, who examines the osteological traits of the skull. She explains her thoughts on the crude metal hinge and hook attached to the skull. Has the skull been buried at some point? Dan’s thirst for the truth is whetted. Is this a man or woman, how did they die, how old were they, and above all how old is the skull? If you love Highland clan history and want to find out more about historical characters in this story, such as the Countess Dowager of Seafield, sign up to Granton Museum's newsletter. Go to grantonmuseum.co.uk/legends and click the newsletter link. Credits Dan Cottam - Presenter and Grantown Museum curator Jac Phillimore - Producer Isobella Hubbard - Storyteller Cat Irving - Human Remains Conservator, Surgeons’ Hall Museum, Edinburgh Lord Reidhaven - Descendent of the Grant clan chiefs This project was delivered in partnership with The Space and Museums and Heritage Highland. It is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.
