[1] The son of Dugald Macpherson, minister at Duirinish, Skye, he studied classics at Aberdeen University, graduating M.A.
[2] Macpherson published Critical Dissertations on the Origin, Antiquities, Language, Government, Manners, Religion of the Ancient Caledonians, their Posterity, the Picts, and the British and Irish Scots, London, 1768.
[5] Macpherson claimed to have heard a recitation of Ossianic verse by a Gaelic bard; the poet in question has been identified, tentatively, as Dòmhnall MacMhuirich (fl.
In the debate on second sight, with a cousin, Martin Macpherson of Golspie, he attacked "Theophilus Isolanus", pseudonymous author of a treatise on the topic, real name Donald Macleod.
Their elder son Martin Macpherson (1743–1812), succeeded his father at Sleat, and was visited by Samuel Johnson.