John Baillie was a working silversmith in Inverness in the first half of the 18th Century. It is possible that the P date letter mark corresponds with the equivalent Edinburgh mark for 1719-20. Likewise the T date letter on the Forres Communion cups made by Simon McKenzie of Inverness is his date letter for 1723-24 which also corresponds with the Edinburgh cycle of date letters.

Silver quaiches were often given as wedding gifts during this period and usually inscribed with the bride and grooms initials, each would then drink in turn to consecrate the marriage. In this case the initials MMD are most probably for a MacDonald