|
In the forward of this
wonderful 344 page publication, which was published by the Clan Cameron
Association in 1971, Colonel Sir Donald Hamish
Cameron of Lochiel, K.T., the 26th Chief and Captain of Clan Cameron
related:
"I recommend this book
to all members of the Clan, and I hope its existence will be made widely known
to Camerons throughout the world."
Clan
Cameron Online has taken this task to heart and has made the following extractions
from Stewart's masterpiece available to Camerons via the Internet. Not
intended to relate Stewart's entire work, this condensed version will present a
clear view of the clan's heritage, while also promoting the book itself.
Sir Donald also related the valid concern that:
"For a clan which had
played such an important part in the history of the Highlands of Scotland, there
is a strange scarcity of literature dealing in any depth with the History of the
Camerons."
For clansfolk who have shared
this feeling while searching through numerous libraries and finding the
"generic" one page tartan, badge and written paragraph overview of
details, this book is most definitely what you have been looking for.
As for Stewart's book, it may be obtained through the Clan Cameron Museum (via
the online merchandise page). It comes with numerous photographic
plates, maps and artwork (25 pages worth, to be exact) and also details the
septs of Clan Cameron, its cadet branches, some genealogical information and
references to the "Cameron Country" of Lochaber.
And now, enjoy this special edition, compliments of the Clan Cameron
Association.
The Cameron country lies in Lochaber,
which lies astride the south-western end of Glenalbyn, or the Great Glen, as it
is often called. Glenalbyn divides the Highlands into two parts; to the
south, the Southern Highlands, comprising the Grampian and Monadhliath ranges;
to the north, the Northern and Western Highlands. The Caledonian Canal,
first opened to traffic in 1822 traverses the entire length of Glenalbyn.
Though a large part of Lochaber lies on the west side of the Lochy basin (which
forms the southern end of Glenalbyn), there are two sub-divisions to the east;
Brae Lochaber and Nether Lochaber. The county is very mountainous, some of
the hills rising to 4000 feet and over; Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in
Britain to 4406 feet. The whole area is intersected by sea lochs and fresh
water lochs, wide straths, and narrow glens. The straths are generally
fertile, and, where drained and cultivated, are capable of growing good
crops. The glens provide excellent grazing for cattle and sheep; deer roam
on the mountains and there are various types of game: grouse, blackgame, and
ptarmigna. The rivers and lochs abound in salmon and trout; the sea lochs
in many kinds of sea fish.
At the time this history begins, about 1400, the country in
general outline must have looked very much the same as it does today, but the
population, instead of being concentrated in the town of Fort William and its
adjacent villages, was spread out over the whole area. In every glen were
small settlements of perhaps half-a-dozen to a dozen rude huts, wherever the
soil was sufficiently deep to allow for a little cultivation. Roads were
non-existent, and all communication and transport was by foot, on horseback, or
by native ponies carrying panniers, pack saddles, or drawing sledges.
Wheeled vehicles were unknown. The inhabitants were tribes living in their
own areas, carrying out their primitive pastoral and agricultural occupations,
and pursuing their quarrels with neighboring tribes, generally over the
occupation of the most desirable land.
Some time towards the end of the 14th century a chief or leader called Donald
Dubh, whose surname was Cameron, arose in Lochaber. He must have been a
man of importance, ability, and energy, for he had a large following composed of
local tribes. Donald Dubh was the first "authentic" chief or
captain of this confederation of tribes which gradually became known as the Clan
Cameron, taking the name of their captain as the generic name of the whole,
until the clan was first officially recognized by that name in a charter of
1472. From Donald Dubh all the later chiefs derived their Gaelic
patronymic, MacDhomhnuill Duibh (the son of a dark haired or swarthy Donald) by
which name the present chief is known in Gaeldom.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the most important tribes in Lochaber were
the Clan Donald, the Clan Chattan, and the Mael-anfhaidh. The
Mael-anfhaidh consisted of three main tribes; the MacMartins of Letterfinlay;
the Macgillonies (Mac ghille-anfhaidh); and the MacSorlies of Glennevis (Sliochd
Shoirle Ruaidh). The MacMartins are said to have provided the chief of
this confederation of tribes. Donald Dubh Cameron, already mentioned, married
the MacMartin daughter (said to be the daughter of the MacMartin chief) and
either through this or by his own prowess assumed the leadership or captaincy of
the confederation of clans which later formed the Clan Cameron.
In 1396 took place the gladiatorial Battle of the North Inch of Perth.
This amazing contest between representatives of two rival clans was fought in a
specially prepared arena, surrounded by seats for spectators, and was watched by
the flower of the Scottish nobility. Twelve men from each clan, some say
more, chosen for their prowess, fought with sword and targe before the King,
Robert III, who acted as judge. Actually the identity of the two clans
engaged has never been established beyond doubt, but many authorities claim that
the contest was arranged to settle the differences between Clan Macintosh and
Clan Cameron, but if this was the case it was singularly unsuccessful. It
is debatable which side won, but the feud went on as bitterly as before.
This feud was to continue with varying fortunes for the next three hundred and
fifty years!
Donald Dubh became chief at the time when the Lordship of the Isles was at its
zenith. He is first heard of when he rose in support of Donald, and Lord
of the Isles, in his rebellion of 1411. He raised a large force from
amongst his own Clan Donald, and from his vassals and followers amongst whom
were Donald Dubh and his followers. This army met the force of the Regent
Albany at Harlaw, near Aberdeen. The Battle of Harlaw was a particularly
bloody affair, and became known as "Red Harlaw." The result was
indecisive, for casualties were so heavy on both sides that they could fight no
more.
Eighteen years later, when Alexander, 3rd Lord of the Isles gathered his forces
and attacked and sacked the town of Inverness, Donald Dubh with the Camerons
rose in his support. The Macintoshes too formed part of his force.
When, however, Alexander was returning to Lochaber he was intercepted by King
James I with a large army. Donald Dubh and the Macintoshes, finding
themselves opposed to their Sovereign, deserted Alexander of the Isles and
joined the forces of the King. Some say that on this account Alexander's
army was defeated, and Alexander himself submitted to the King and was
imprisoned.
In the same year the two clans (Cameron and Macintosh) had a desperate
encounter. Though the Camerons and Macintoshes agreed in their principals
of loyalty, yet their former quarrel about the estate divided them as much as
ever, and brought them to an engagement on Palm Sunday, which was fought with
that obstinacy and furry, that most of the Macintoshes and almost the whole
tribe of Camerons, were cut to pieces. In the meantime Donald Balloch,
cousin of Alexander of the Isles, rose to avenge Alexander's imprisonment.
Having defeated a Royal force, which included the Clan Cameron, sent to quell
him at Inverlochy, he turned his attention to the Camerons and the Clan Chattan
(Mackintosh), ravaged their country, putting it to fire and sword. The
King then led an army into the Highlands, and the rebel forces disintegrated.
In 1437 the King was murdered, and Alexander, Lord of the Isles was
liberated. He lost no time taking vengeance on the Camerons. Not
only had they deserted him in 1429, but they had refused to join Donald
Balloch's revolt in 1431. Donald Dubh Cameron was forced to fly to Ireland
about 1438, and Alexander bestowed the Cameron lands upon John Garve Maclean of
Coll. Donald Dubh soon returned to protect and lead his people. The
clan retained the occupation of their lands by defeating the Macleans in a
battle at Corpach.
Donald Dubh's son, Allan MacDonald Dubh (twelfth chief), must have succeeded his
father shortly after 1461. The Camerons had apparently made their peace
with the MacDonalds by this time. Allan had married a MacDonald lady, and
in 1472 was appointed Keeper of the Castle of Strome (also called Strone), a
MacDonald stronghold on Lochcarron in Ross-shire. This Allan M'Coilduy had
he character of one of the bravest captains of his time... He is said to
have made 32 expeditions into his enemy's country for the 32 years he lived, and
three more, for the three-fourths of a year that he was in his mother's
womb... A Cameron raid upon Macintosh's lands, which was thwarted by the
duplicity of his neighbor and relative Keppoch, who secretly arranged to help
Macintosh by attacking the Camerons in the rear. This led to the defeat of
the Camerons, and Allan was killed in the heat of the fray (circa 1480).
On account of the frequency of his raids and skirmishes he became known as Allan
nan Creach (Allan of the Forays.)
Ewen MacAllan (thirteenth chief), Captain of Clan Cameron, must have succeeded
his father, Allan MacDonald Duibh, some time after 1480. He proved equal
to any of his predecessors in the vigor of his mind and body, but though in
order to facilitate the adjusting matters with Macintosh, he married Marjory,
daughter to Duncan, then chief of that name. Yet all his endeavors to
bring about an agreement proving ineffectual, the war broke out with more fury
than before. Many and bloody were the conflicts between them, and great
actions are related on both parties. But the Camerons, being commanded by
a Chief who had the advantage of all his neighbors in conduct and spirit, it is
no wonder if they proved too hard generally for their enemies.
Ewen built himself a strong house at Torcastle, not on the actual land granted
but very close to it, probably on a site where there had been a dwelling or
castle for hundreds of years, possibly since the days of Banquo, Thane of
Lochaber. Hitherto the Captains of the Clan had had their main residence
on Eilean nan Craobh,
one of the small islets in Locheil, just off the shore from Corpach.
Ewen was involved in the great Clanranald feud in which John
Moidartach, Captain of Clanranald, was engaged in defending his chiefship
against Ronald Gallda, the legitimate claimant. Ewen sided with John
Moidartach, and Camerons fought alongside MacDonalds at the Battle of Blar na
leine in 1544. In this battle, which was fought at the head of Loch Lochy,
Ronald Gallda's supporters, the Frasers assisted by the Grants, were nearly
annihilated. The battle is said to have earned its name Blar na leine or
the Battle of the Shirts, because the day being very hot, the combatants
discarded their plaids and fought in their shirts. The MacDonalds and
Camerons, profiting by their victory, carried out most successful raids upon the
Grant and Fraser lands (known as the Raid of Urquhart), which were incredibly
rich and fertile to the Lochaber men.
In 1546...Macintosh, in his capacity of Steward of Lochaber, joined Huntly and
laid waste the Cameron country. They apprehended Lochiel and Donald, the
son of Donald Glas of Keppoch, and these two were tried (as a result of being
implicated in the Earl of Lenox's aspirations, along with the Battle
of Blar na leine and the Raid
of Urquhart), found guilty, and were beheaded, their heads being fixed over
the gates of Elgin in Huntly's country. So died Ewen MacAllan, in many
ways one of the greatest Cameron chiefs. He laid the foundations of what
eventually became the Lochiel estate as we know it today... Macintosh did
not live long enough to enjoy his triumph over the Camerons. Three years
later he himself fell foul of Huntly, and was executed on a spurious charge of
conspiring against the Earl's life.
Ewen Beag (fourteenth chief), who became captain of the clan on the execution of
his illustrious grandfather, inherited little but trouble. The Lochiel
lands had been forfeited and granted to Huntly, including the "Fortalice of
Torcastell," Glenloy and Locharkaig. The Lochalsh and Lochcarron
lands had been forfeited and granted to Grant of Culcabock and Grant of Freuchie
respectively as "satisfaction for a spuilzie," that is, to compensate
the Grants for their losses in the Raid of Urquhart. He (Ewen) did have a
natural son, Donald M'Ewen M'Conell, who became in the annals of the clan as
"Taillear dubh na tuaighe" - "The Black Tailor of the Axe."
Some say that Ewen met his death at the hands of Huntly, but Balhaldie gives the
traditional story of the birth of the Taillear Dubh and the death of Ewen:
"Of him Ewen Beag I find
nothing memorable except his unfortunate death; for being in his younger years
much enamored of a daughter of the Laird of MacDonald (M'Dougall) he found the
lady so complaisant that she fell with child by him. The father dissembled
his resentment, and artfully drew Lochiel to a communing in the Island Nacloich
(sic) where, having previously concealed a party of men, he made him prisoner
upon refusing to marry her, and shut him up in the Castle of Inch-Connel, in
Lochow, a fresh-water lake, at a good distance from Lochaber, to which his
friends could not have easy access, on account of the difficulty of providing
themselves with boats. As soon as the news came to Lochaber, his clan
resolved to hazard all for his relief, and having made necessary preparations,
his foster-father, "Martine M'Connochey of Lattir Finlay," chieftain
of the "M'Martins," an ancient and numerous tribe of the Camerons, put
himself at the head of a chosen party, and soon made himself master of the
castle. Lochiel was then playing at cards with his keeper or governor,
named MacArthur, and was so overjoyed at his approaching delivery that,
observing him much alarmed at the noise made by the assailants, he overhastily
discovered the design, for which he paid dear. For MacArthur, to satisfy
his own and master's resentment, immediately extinguished the lights and,
thrusting his dirk or poinard below the table which stood between them, wounded
him in the belly. His deliverers, in the meantime, rushing into his
apartment, carried him to their boats where, the night being cold, he called for
an oar in order to heat himself by exercise. But, upon stretching for an
oar, he became first sensible of his wound, which soon thereafter proved
mortal. His party having landed, and put him to bed, returned to the
castle and, in revenge of his death, dispatched MacArthur and all the men that
were with him."
Ewen Beag, having no legitimate heir, was succeeded by his brother Donald Dubh
(fifteenth chief) in 1553. When Queen Mary (Mary, Queen of Scots) came to
Scotland she granted the Moray earldom to her half-brother, Lord James
Stewart. This was too much for the powerful Huntly to stomach so he
rebelled. Raising his vassals, he met the forces of the Queen at the Battle
of Corrichy in 1562 and was defeated... Donald Dubh led his clan to
join the Queen's forces against Huntly, and in 1564 he was rewarded. The
Queen granted a charter...for the lands of Letterfinlay, Stronnabaw, and
Lyndalie, formerly held by George, Earl of Huntly, and forfeited. These
were the MacMartin lands to the East side of the Lochy, which had been granted
to Donald Dubh's grandfather in 1535 by Huntly, but had been forfeited in 1546
when Ewen Allanson was executed.
Donald Dubh married a daughter of Hector Mor Maclean of Duart. There is a
mystery as to his death; Gregory states that he was murdered by his own
clansmen, and there is some evidence that this may have been the case.
With Donald Dubh's death or murder in 1569, the clan sank into a state of
anarchy during the minority of Allan, his son, and peace, even if somewhat
uneasy, was not restored until Allan became captain in 1577.
Allan (Allan MacDonald Dubh - sixteenth chief) was a child when his father died
or was murdered in 1569, and the leadership of the clan devolved upon his
tutors, his great-uncles Ewen Cameron of Erracht, and John Cameron of Kinlochiel,
both younger sons of Allan's great-grandfather Ewen MacAllan or Allanson, by his
second wife Marjory Macintosh. The tutors seem to have been unpopular,
certainly with a large section of the clan. So little were they trusted
that young Allan was sent for safety to the Isle of Mull to be brought up by his
uncle, Hector Og Maclean of Duart. Later, his education was entrusted to
Mr. John Cameron, Minister of Dunoon. The tutors, particularly Erracht,
the senior one, are said to have taken possession of the Lochiel lands, and to
have treated them as if they were their own. Erracht in fact claimed the
chiefship for himself. They entered into an agreement with their relative
Macintosh regarding the disputed lands which was so detrimental to the interests
of the clan that they were forced to repudiate it. This brought upon them
the wrath of Macintosh, and so uncertain were they of the support of the clan in
opposing him that they had to enlist the help of the Taillear Dubh who, it will
be remembered, was the natural son of Ewen Beag of Lochiel, and who, being a
near relative to young Allan, and a man of great ability and valor, was trusted
and supported by the greater part of the clan. The Taillear Dubh and his
followers met the Erracht faction led by Ewen of Erracht's son, Donald Dubh
M'Ewen, at Inverlochy Castle where Donald Dubh was murdered by some of the
Taillear's men. He (the Taillear Dubh) then took command of the clan until
such as Allan could return and command it himself.
Donald M'Ewen M'Connell or Donald MacEwen Bhig, known as the Taillear Dubh na
Tuaighe, was one of the clan's most colorful figures. As a child he was
nursed by the wife of a tailor who lived at Blar na cleireach, near Lundavra,
hence his by-name. Later he was brought up by MacLachlan of Coruanan, head
of a tribe who were followers of Lochiel. He became an expert in the use
of arms, and was particularly dexterous in the use of the Lochaber Axe, his
favorite weapon. He grew up to be a brave and prudent man famed for his
wit and sarcasm.
During this interregnum of eight years (1569-1577/8) there are many legends and
stories concerning the escapades of the Taillear Dubh and his inveterate
animosity towards the Macintoshes. In 1577/78 Allan returned to take
command of the clan, but it was not until 1585 that the last of the rebel
leaders met his death when John Cameron of Kinlochiel was executed at
Dunstaffnage at the instigation of Argyll. As regards the Taillear Dubh,
there is a tradition that he went to Cowal and settled in Stratheachaig.
His descendants took the name of Macintaillear, later changed to Taylor, and
many of that name in Cowal are really Camerons. They were known as Clann
an Taillear Dhuibh Chamronaich, and there seems little doubt Taylors descended
from the Cowal families of Taylor can claim descent from Donald MacEwen Bhig.
Some years after Allan took
command of the clan, the Grants invested Macintosh with the lands of Lochalsh
which had belonged to the Camerons, but had been conveyed to the Grants as
compensation for the depredations of the "Raid of Urquhart" in
1546. This was bound to be resented by the Camerons, but worse was to
follow. In 1598, a commission was granted to Huntly, Macintosh, Grant of
Freuchie, and others to apprehend Lochiel and all the chief men of the clan for
various crimes they had committed. The commission was ineffective and two
years later Allan threw in his lot with Huntly, probably because Huntly was by
this time at enmity with Macintosh and the Grants. In an indenture dated
1590/91, Huntly agreed to leave Allan in full possession of his lands on
condition that Allan agreed to support him with all his strength and
resources. Allan, however, was to be consulted and acquainted with all
Huntly's designs. As a result, the Camerons invaded the Macintosh and
Grant lands and killed "XLI of Macintoshes and XXIII tenants of Grant, and
hurt the Laird of Balendalough." Other affrays followed, in one of
which fifty Camerons are said to have been killed. Thus Lochiel, a
Protestant, was on the side of Huntly, the great Catholic noble, at the Battle
of Glenlivet, where a confederation of Argyll, Atholl, the Forbeses and the
Macintoshes was defeated by Huntly and his adherents. Although (Huntly)
was in favor with the King, James had to punish him in deference to the popular
demand for vengeance by the Presbyterian faction, so that Huntly gained little
by his victory, and had to go into temporary exile for a few years. During
the years of Huntly's exile and forfeiture, Lochiel found himself a rebel with
no one to protect him.
Lochiel's estates were gifted to a courtier, Sir Alexander Hay. Hay split
them up and sold the main or Lochielside part to Hector Maclean of Lochbuie...no
sale could have been less welcome! The rest of the estate went to various
purchasers... Lochiel submitted to the inevitable and took no steps to
recover these lands by force, thereby making sure of the friendship of these
neighboring chiefs. Lochbuie eventually sold his rights in the Lochiel estate
proper to Argyll... He was willing to allow Lochiel to occupy the Lochiel
lands, under his superiority, on condition that Lochiel paid him the money which
he, Argyll, had paid to Lochbuie! Thus Argyll virtually forced Allan to
buy for Argyll a superiority over himself!
Huntly, before his forfeiture, had had control of nearly all of Lochaber, and
had been superior of all the Cameron lands. Now he found Argyll
controlling the whole of the Cameron lands west of the River Lochy, and he did
not like it. It has already been related that there had been a rift in the
clan for some time. Huntly, perceiving this, took advantage of it and
suborned Alister Cameron of Glennevis and others, promising them feudal
independence from Lochiel. Lochiel had to assert his authority at all
costs for the loyalty of his clansmen which no King or Government could
confer. He arranged a meeting with his disloyal clansmen, but suspecting
treachery, made the following plan. He was to meet with them with a few
men to discuss terms, but 120 of his most trusted followers were to be hidden in
a nearby wood. If treachery was intended and he was attacked, his small
party would retreat hastily, and that was the sign for his men to fall upon the
enemy in the rear. The plan worked to perfection, and sixteen of the
ringleaders, including Alister of Glennevis and John Bodach of Erracht were put
to the sword.
Macintosh obtained a new commission to apprehend Lochiel as well as Keppoch and
his son...as Macintosh had the King's backing, and had been granted as ample
powers as Argyll had for the suppression of the Clan Gregor, Lochiel, knowing
that Huntly would resent so much power being placed in the hands of Macintosh,
thought the time was ripe for negotiating with Huntly. Lochiel was forced
to acknowledge Lord Gordon's rights of ownership, his son John Cameron was to
hold the Mamore part of the estate as his vassal. At this time the
Camerons faced their most perilous situation for the last hundred years.
They had no effective charters for land held direct from the Crown. Argyll was
the virtual owner of all their lands west of the Lochy, except for Glenloy and
Locharkaig, held on mortgage of Macintosh. Lord Gordon, Huntly's son,
owned all those to the east, except those held by John Cameron as his
vassal. All this had been forced upon Lochiel to preserve his clan from
utter destruction.
Meanwhile Lochiel's son, John Cameron, had been imprisoned in
the Tolbooth of Edinburgh as pledge for his father, at Macintosh's
instigation. His imprisonment in the Tolbooth affected his health, and his
friends managed to get his ward extended to the town of Edinburgh. In due
time Macintosh died, and his heir was a minor, whose affairs were handled by Sir
John Grant of Freuchie...and as Sir John had no particular interest in the great
Macintosh-Cameron feud, and at that time had no enmity towards the Camerons, he
soon made arrangements to patch up the old quarrel at least temporarily.
The ownership of the disputed lands was put to arbitration, and although the
decision of the arbiters was in favor of Macintosh, the Camerons still occupied
the lands, but it enabled Allan to make his peace with the government. Sir
John, too, got poor John Cameron released from prison, and took him to his own
home until such time he could be returned to his father.
Allan Cameron of Lochiel was finally granted a remission or all his past
"misdeeds," such as they were, in 1624, and from that time Chief and
Clan were at peace except for a few minor raids and disturbances. The most
important of these was the Second
Raid of Moyness in 1645. Allan must have been a very old man and
probably had little to do with it. The Camerons lifted a large number of
cattle from the Grant lands of Moyness in Morayshire. Allan MacDonald Dubh
died in April, 1647, after what can only be described as a long and stormy
life. He was a very old man for he must have been close on 85 years
old. There is a fitting memorial to this great Captain of Clan Cameron at
Achnacarry, for on the wall of the hall hangs his Great Sword or Claidheamh Mor.
On one side of the blade is engraved the name - "Allan Camron of Lochell,
1588"; on the other side the legend -"Spero Dum Spiro."
What better motto for this man of action, who was constantly beset by his greedy
and powerful neighbors; he was outlawed; was vilified by the King he strove to
serve, yet, when fickle fortune had done her worst, contrived by his dauntless
courage and sagacity to turn his misfortunes to his ultimate gain.
With the death of Allan
MacDonald Dubh, the chief and clan seem to pass from the feuding, fierce,
outlaws fighting for survival first one rapacious neighbor, then another; tossed
hither and thither first by Huntly, then by Argyll, but forever keeping their
precarious grip upon the disputed lands, the very core of the Cameron
patriarchal inheritance. It was an accomplishment they could be proud
of. With the succession of Ewen Dubh (seventeenth chief), Allan's
grandson, they embarked together, he and his clansmen, on a much nobler era.
Ewen Cameron was born in 1629 at Kilchurn Castle, Lochawa, the home of his
mother, Margaret, daughter of Sir Robert Campbell of Glenorchy. His
father, John Cameron, whose health had suffered on account of his long
imprisonment, died about 1635. His grandfather, Allan, hero of many
affrays, was chief of the clan but was too old to bring up his grandson, so Ewen
was brought up first by his foster father, Duncan MacMartin of Letterfinlay, and
later by his uncle, Donald Cameron of Glendessary. When Ewen was 12 Argyll
took a hand in his education. Both as feudal superior and as a relation,
he was determined that he should be brought up in an atmosphere friendly to his
designs, and to give the devil his due, he did faithfully carry out his
intentions giving him an excellent education at Inveraray under the charge of a
special teacher. These were stirring days in Scotland. It was the
eve of the Civil War. Argyll was to lead the army of the Covenant;
Montrose the army of the King. The first impact of the War upon young Ewen
was the great Battle of
Inverlochy of 1645, when the chief, old Allan Cameron, then nearly 90 years
of age, though unable to fight himself, sent 300 Camerons to Montrose's army,
and, some say, warned Montrose of Argyll's presence at Inverlochy, and arranged
for guides to take the army secretly by little known paths to a position from
which they could (most successfully) attack Argyll's forces.
After the disastrous Battle of Philiphaugh, which resulted in the defeat of
Montrose and the collapse of the Royal cause in Scotland, Argyll, accompanied by
Ewen, went to St. Andrews to attend a meeting of the Estates called to try and
condemn their Royalist prisoners... Ewen contrived to gain
access to some of the prisoners without the knowledge of his guardian.
These men, awaiting their doom with calm courage, had a profound effect on the
young man. The next day, with Argyll, he witnessed the execution of the
prisoners with disgust and horror. If the sight was intended to frighten
him or to ensure his support for the Covenant, it was signally unsuccessful;
from that day he was a Royalist and from that choice he never swerved.
In 1647, at the age of 18, the year his grandfather died, he left Argyll's
tutelage to return to his clan and to his own country. The Camerons
received him with universal rejoicing, coming a day's journey to meet him.
The first engagement led by Lochiel on taking over the leadership of the clan
was against his neighbor Keppoch who, thinking he had to deal with a callow
youth, refused to pay an annuity on a mortgage due to Lochiel. Ewen raised
several hundred of his clansmen and marched upon Keppoch, who, seeing the
determination of the Camerons and that they were well led, considered discretion
the better part of valor and settled the matter amicably.
In 1650 he received a letter
from King Charles II summoning him to raise his clan and join the Royal army
at Stirling. He experienced some difficulty in raising sufficient men for
many of his clansmen lived under Argyll's ad Huntly's superiority and not his
own...eventually he received a commission to raise his clan wherever they might
live. It was spring of 1652 before he was in a position to leave
Lochaber. By that time the Scots had lost the Battle of Inverkeithing, and
Charles had departed with his army on the fatal march to Worchester.
Perhaps fortunately, Ewen was not involved in these events, and thus escaped the
fate of many of Charles's Scottish soldiers; death or imprisonment.
In 1652 he led his clan to join the Earl of Glencairn's army which was holding
out in the Eastern Highlands against Cromwell's occupying army. Glencairn
was encamped at Tullich in Braemar, and he gave the Camerons the honor of acting
as outpost to the main army. Ewen took up an excellent position in a steep
pass which commanded the approach of the main army's encampment. The next
day his scouts reported the approach of the English army, and Ewen, having sized
up the situation, sent word to Glencairn who had plenty of time to move his
troops to an almost impregnable position behind a morass, where the English
cavalry could not attack him. Lochiel meantime was able to hold up the
English advance, for the pass was so narrow and so steep that Colonel Lilburn,
the English commander, could not deploy his force, and Lochiel was able to
inflict heavy casualties on the enemy without incurring many himself, and held
up the advance for many hours. Eventually he received orders to retire and
make his way back to Glencairn's army. He extricated his men with great
skill and few losses, and was congratulated by his commander on his
return. The success of this action laid the foundations of his fame as a
military leader, and gained for him the confidence and devotion of his
clansmen. For his outstanding service he received a letter of commendation
from King Charles...
Ewen and the clan took part in several other fights and skirmishes while serving
with Glencairn, until 1654 General Middleton took over the command of the
Royalist forces. In that year command of the English army was assumed by
General George Monk, whose policy was to keep Middleton's forces hemmed into the
Highlands, where supplies of food, ammunition and money, were extremely
difficult. Middleton's forces gradually began to disintegrate, and
effective resistance came to an end. Monk was appointed Governor of
Scotland, and as part of his policy for the Highlands he planned to erect forts
at various strategic points...the fort which concerned the Camerons was to be
sited at Inverlochy, with the express intention of controlling the Lochaber
clans...as Lochiel was still with Middleton, they landed at Inverlochy and
erected their fortifications without opposition. The Camerons were taken
by surprise, but Lochiel, hurrying back to Lochaber, determined to make the
occupation of the fort as costly as possible. When Lochiel saw how far the
work on the fort had progressed he realized that an attack in force was out of
the question. He therefore dismissed his clansmen...he and 32 of his
bravest young men as a bodyguard, took up quarters near Achdalieu
and awaited their chance. He had spies working in the fort, and they kept
him informed of the movements of the garrison.
One day a working party was sent out by Colonel Brayne (or Bryan), a commander
of the fort...it was decided to attack the party which numbered 138. A
lively battle followed. The Englishmen, having fired their muskets too
soon, were unable to reload before the Camerons were among them. Their
clumsy muskets were no match for the broadsword and targe, and the Camerons,
although so desperately outnumbered, were, after a stiff fight, able to put the
soldiers to flight. Lochiel got separated from his men and found himself
faced by an English officer who, ashamed of his men's defeat, was determined to
kill him. Balhaldie describes the tussle thus:
"The combat was long and doubtful; both fought for their lives; and as they
were both animated by the same fury and courage, so they seemed to manage their
swords with the same dexterity. The English gentleman had by far the
advantage in strength and size, but Lochiel exceeding him in nimbleness and
agility, in the end tript the sword out of his hand. But he was not
allowed to make use of this advantage; for his antagonist flying upon him with
incredible quickness, they inclosed and wrestled till both fell to the ground in
other's arms. In this posture they struggled, and tumbled up and down till
they fixed in the channel of a brook, between two straight banks, which then, by
the drought of the summer, chanced to be dry. Here Lochiel was in a most
dismal and desperate situation; for being undermost, he was not only crushed
under the weight of his antagonist (who was an exceedingly big man), but
likewise sore hurt, and bruised by the many sharp stones that were below
him. Their strength was so far spent, that neither of them could stir a
limb; but the English gentleman, by the advantage of being uppermost, at last
recovered the use of his right hand. With it he seized a dagger that hung
at his belt, and made several attempts to stab his adversary, who all the while
held him fast; but the narrowness of the place where they were confined, and the
posture they were in, rendering the execution very difficult, and almost
impracticable, while he was so straitly embraced, he made a most violent effort
to disengage himself; and in that action, raising his head and stretching his
neck, Lochiel, who by this had his hands at liberty, with his left suddenly
seized him by the right, and with the other by the collar, and jumping at his
extended throat, which he used to say 'God put in his mouth' he bit it quite
through, and kept such a hold of his grip, that he brought away a
mouthful! This, he said, as the sweetest bite ever he had in his
lifetime!"
Probably, shortly before this, Lochiel built his new house at Achnacarry.
The tradition is that he found his home at Torcastle uncomfortably near the
garrison at Inverlochy, so he decided that a residence in a remoter part of his
country would be more secure. Buchanan of Auchmar, writing in 1723,
describes the house thus, "Lochiel's principal residence is in Achnacarry
in Lochaber, where he hath a large house, all built of Fir-planks, the
handsomest of that kind in Britain."
After Oliver Cromwell's death in 1658, his son Richard Cromwell proved himself
quite incapable of emulating his great father in the government of England, and
controlling the rival generals and their followers. General Monk therefore
led his army South to London, without meeting and serious opposition, and the
English, having elected a Parliament, invited Charles to return to the
country. In 1660 he was restored to the throne of Scotland and ascended
the throne of England as King Charles II.
In September, 1665, things came to a head. Macintosh, with 1500 men of
Clan Chattan and their adherents, invaded the disputed lands, and took up a
position to the North of the River Arkaig in what is now known as the Caig
Parks. Lochiel, who had had ample warning, raised his clan, and with the
assistance of the Glencoe men and some MacGregor volunteers, faced him with 1000
men on the Achnacarry side of the river at a spot called at that time the Fords
of Arkaig. A battle to end all Cameron-Macintosh battles seemed
imminent. John Campbell, Glenorchy's heir, later to be created Earl of
Breadalbane, appeared on the scene with 300 of his clan, and made it quite plain
that he would come in on the side of whichever clan was attacked first...by this
devise he managed to get Macintosh to agree to the same terms as he had refused
two years before. On the 19th September, "Macintosh marched up to the
Clunes, where there was a minute of contract drawn up and subscribed by both
parties wherein Macintosh was obliged to sell his lands of Glenluie an Loch
Arkaig to Lochiel... Upon the 20th of September 1665, Lochiel having
crossed the water of Arkaig, Macintosh and he met (24 men on each side) upon the
lands of Clunes, and having drunk together in a friendly manner, in a token of
perfect reconciliation, exchanged swords, and so departed, having in all
probability at that time, taken away the old feud which, with great hatred and
cruelty, continued betwixt their forebearers for the space of 360
years." Thus ended the great feud between the two clans; the
bloodiest feud ever known in the Highlands; a feud which had raged almost
continuously for 360 years! The agreement was signed on the 20th
September, 1665. It was said that no Cameron had ever shaken a Macintosh
hand till that day.
In 1682 Lochiel was in Edinburgh where he had the good fortune to meet His Royal
Highness, the Duke of York. Balhaldie gives an account of the
meeting. After complimenting him on the successful outcome of his affairs
with Macintosh, he asked for Lochiel's sword, and attempted to draw it,
"but it would not do for the sword it seems was somewhat rusty, and but
little used as being a walking sword, which the Highlanders never make use of in
their own country." The Duke, after a second attempt, gave it back to
Lochiel with the compliment "that his sword never used to be so uneasy to
draw when the Crown wanted his services." Lochiel then drew the sword
and handed it back to the Duke who thereupon knighted him.
As ill luck would have it, the Camerons became involved in the ancient feud
between Macintosh and Keppoch. Sir Ewen was away in London when Keppoch
called upon his friends and neighbors, the Camerons, for help. The
MacDonalds defeated the Macintoshes at the Battle
of Mulroy (1688), the last major clan battle in the Highlands. A
warrant was issued for Sir Ewen's arrest while he was in Edinburgh, for he was
considered responsible for the actions of his clan, and it was well known that
Keppoch could not have defeated Macintosh without the help of the
Camerons. Lochiel determined to avoid arrest, resorted to a typical
ruse. He visited a friend in the Tolboth, the last place he judged his
enemies would look for him and, as the chief clerk was a Cameron, he naturally
assisted his chief to get clear of the town. In no time he was safe amid
his own clan in Lochaber.
In 1689 several of the most important men in England invited William of Orange,
who had married King James's daughter Mary, and was a Protestant, to become King
of England. King James was a Roman Catholic, and they suspected that he wanted
to introduce Roman Catholicism as the established religion in England.
William of Orange landed with a small army and King James, who was deserted by
his friends in his hour of need, fled to France.
The Highlanders...were on the whole sympathetic to the King, so that when John
Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, raised the Royal standard for King
James, most of the Highland chiefs joined him, largely through the influence of
Sir Ewen. A force of about 1800 men and a few horses had joined Dundee
when he heard that General MacKay was advancing towards Inverness, so he
determined to intercept him near Blair Atholl, and, in spite of disparity in
numbers, to bring him to battle. Many of the clans, including 500 of the
Camerons had not arrived, and Dundee ordered them to follow with all
haste. The Battle
of Killiecrankie (July 27th, 1689) was fought and won by the Highlanders
fighting in their traditional way, but in the hour
of victory Dundee was killed. He had depended much on Sir Ewen's
advice and wide experience of Highland warfare in the conduct of the
battle. 500 of the Clan Cameron under Sir Ewen's eldest son, John, and his
cousin Glendessary, arrived two days after the battle. With the death of Dundee,
King James's cause was lost.
Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, or Eoghain Dubh, as the Highlanders called him, has
come down as one of the greatest Highland chiefs of all time. As a chief
he was loved, trusted and admired by his clansmen, who would follow him into any
exploit whatever the odds or danger. In peacetime he worked unceasingly
for the independence of his clan, and for the improvement of the conditions
under which they lived. As a soldier he was quite fearless for his own
safety. He was an outstanding planer of guerrilla operations and leader in
battle. He understood the temperament of the men under his command, and he
knew how to get the best out of them. His experience made him a wise
counselor to those who he served. Sir Ewen died in 1719 in his 90th year.
John Cameron of Lochiel
(eighteenth chief), the eldest son of Sir Ewen, was born about 1663. His
first "appearance" on the historical scene was as leader of the clan
after the Battle of Killiecrankie, after his father had returned to
Lochaber. After Sir Ewen made his submission in 1692 he took little part
in the affairs of the country, and four years later he made over the greater
part of his estate to his son John. In 1706 John
Cameron, appreciating the dangers he was likely to incur as a known Jacobite
sympathizer, deemed it advisable to make over his estate to his young son
Donald. This was a wise precaution for when later he was attained for his
participation in the 1715 rising, the estate could not be forfeited for it no
longer legally belonged to him.
The part played by the Camerons in this sorry affair (The 1715 Jacobite
Rebellion) was not noteworthy. John Cameron of Lochiel had great
difficulty in raising the clan. John Cameron did march, with a part of the
clan, to join an unsuccessful expedition to harry the Campbell country round
Inveraray under General Gordon of Auchintoul but nothing was achieved, and the
General's small force joined the main army mustering at Auchterarder prior to
the Battle of
Sheriffmuir.
John Cameron was attainted and had to flee to France. In 1717 King James
showed his appreciation of John Cameron's services by creating
him a peer with the title of Lord Lochiel. The title does not appear
to have caught on, or have been in common use. The old saying "The
King can make a Duke, but he cannot make a Lochiel" would seem to be
appropriate.
Donald Cameron of Lochiel (nineteenth chief), younger of Lochiel, "Young
Lochiel" as he was often called to differentiate between him and his father
who was in exile, was a young man of 21 when in 1716 he succeeded to the
management of his estates and the leadership of his clan. He was an
enlightened chief whose main interest was in the improvement of his estates, the
improvement of the lot of his clansmen, and the stamping out of the universal
practice of lifting cattle from neighboring clans, and further afield.
On the 25th of July, 1745, the Prince (Charles Edward Stuart - "Bonnie
Prince Charlie") landed on the Scottish mainland at Loch nan Uamh in
Arisaig, accompanied by a handful of supporters; the Seven Men of Moidart.
The Prince sent young MacDonald of Scotus to inform Lochiel of his arrival and
summoned him to come and see him at once. When Charles met Lochiel he was
fully aware of how much depended on his support, for he was one of the most
influential chiefs and had a large following.
The 19th August was an anxious day for the Prince. Few of the clansmen had
rallied to Glenfinnan until four o'clock in the afternoon when to his delight he
saw the Camerons approaching with pipers playing and banners waving.
Lochiel's 800 Camerons were closely followed by 300 of Keppoch's MacDonalds, so
that with Clanranald's men already there, there were close on 1300 men.
Two days after the raising of the standard the army marched Eastwards to
Kinlochiel where the Prince, having heard that King George had issued a
proclamation offering 30,000 pounds for his capture, immediately issued a
counter proclamation offering a like sum for the apprehension of the Elector of
Hanover.
...the advance to Edinburgh was resumed as far as Corstorphine which was reached
on the 16th September. Here Lochiel was given orders to have his clan
under arms, ready to move at a moment's notice to force an entry into
Edinburgh. Shortly after three in the morning Lochiel and his men,
consisting of his clan, and detachments from Clanranald's, Glengarry's and
Keppoch's regiments, started out on this risky enterprise. The gate of the
Netherbow Port was firmly closed and daylight was fast approaching. It
looked as though the attempt was to fail when, as good luck would have it, a
coach...was required to pass through the Port in order to return to the
stables. In an instant, led by Lochiel, the Highlanders rushed through,
overpowered the guard, and poured into the High Street...thus did the
Highlanders gain possession of Edinburgh.
The Prince stayed camped in Edinburgh, the army being encamped at Duddingston,
until the 20th September, when the whole force marched out to meet Sir John
Cope's army which had landed at Dunbar. The armies were numerically matched,
each side having about 2,500 men...the battle (the Battle
of Prestonpans) was won by the Highlanders in less than half an hour.
Cope's casualties in the ensuing rout were very heavy, and the Highlanders
gained invaluable weapons, supplies and booty...
The Prince and his victorious army returned to Edinburgh after the Battle of
Prestonpans, rested, and received reinforcements, then on 1st November set out
on the ill-fated march into England. About 650 Camerons formed part of the
Highland army, and remained with the Prince throughout the long march to Derby,
and the subsequent retreat, taking part in all the skirmishes and battles,
except that of Clifton.
The Battle of Falkirk
was fought on the 17th January. It was Prestonpans all over again.
Hawley's much vaunted regular troops fled before the Highlanders' wild charge
and the cold steel of their broadswords. Had the chiefs been able to rally
their men after the first impact, and been able to pursue the enemy, the victory
would have been of far greater consequence. As it was many of their troops
escaped, demoralized but unharmed. Lochiel was wounded in the foot during
the battle, and his brother Doctor Archibald, who was assisting him was struck
by a shot "which entered his body, where it remained during the remainder
of his life." Neither were seriously wounded, for it did not prevent
them taking part in all the subsequent events.
In March the Camerons and other Western clans were ordered to proceed to Fort
William, and attempt
to capture the fort. As the capture of Fort William was not likely to
be achieved mainly owing to the lack of any heavy siege artillery, the Jacobite
force was ordered to repair to Inverness, and there rejoin the main army.
They arrived just in time to take part in the disastrous Battle
of Culloden.
The bulk of the Highland army was in an exhausted condition. They had
marched for two days without food; they had lain out without any cover in the
bitterly cold weather the night before the battle. However valiant,
exhausted hungry men cannot be expected to engage in battle with any hope of
success against fresh, well fed troops. When the right wing of the
Jacobite army, consisting of the Camerons, the Stewarts of Appin, and the
Athollmen, went into the attack, the left wing, consisting of the MacDonalds,
held back. The result was that the right wing came under fire from both
flanks. Charging in the traditional Highland manner, sword in hand, they
broke through Barrel's and Munro's regiments, but being subjected to heavy rifle
and cannon fire from the front and from the flanks, and then from fire of the
second line of the enemy, the impetus of their charge was exhausted before the
left wing were engaged. Having suffered very heavy casualties they were
forced to retreat. The battle was over in less than an hour.
Lochiel, advancing at the head of his regiment "was so near Barrel's that
he had fired his pistol and was drawing his sword when he fell wounded with
grape shot in both ankles..."
Lochiel and his small party were able to make their way back to Lochaber.
The clan, with their remaining officers, found their way with the surviving part
of the Highland army to Ruthven in Badenoch, where they received orders to
disperse to their own country. The
chiefs met at Murlaggan...and it was arranged that they should muster at
Achnacarry with as many men as they could gather on the 15th May. The day
for the muster was delayed a week, but when the day came only 200 Camerons, a
few Macleans, and 120 MacDonalds showed up. Thus the last hope of
resistance faded. The next day a strong detachment of the enemy
approached, and on the 28th May, Lochiel's beautiful house was burned to the
ground.
After witnessing the destruction of his home and country, Lochiel and his party
made their way to Sunart...then moved to a small island in Lochshiel...and
eventually to Appin, a country which at that time was free of enemy
troops. There they were concealed by Stewart of Ardsheal for some days
after which Lochiel and Sir Stuart Threipland left for the Brae of Rannoch where
they met Cluny and went with him to his hiding place on Ben Alder. It was
not until 15th August that the Prince made his way back to Lochaber...here the
Prince found out that Lochiel was hiding with Cluny on Ben Alder. At last
after more than four months the Prince met Lochiel, who was living in a very
small sheil hut near the foot of Ben Alder. On the 18th September Lochiel
left Cameron country for ever. They made their way to Borrodale and
embarked on the Le Conti on the 19th, a little over five months since their
wandering had started after the disaster of Culloden.
The finale of this tragic episode can only be touched on briefly. The
Prince obtained for Lochiel the command of the French regiment, "Le
Regiment d'Albanie," as some compensation for ruin; this kept the wolf from
the door. The "Gentle Lochiel" died at Borgue
(Bergues) in France on the 28th October, 1748, aged 53. No doubt his
life was cut short by the physical exertions endured during the campaign,
and by the mental suffering engendered by his noble feeling of responsibility
for the sufferings of his people.
Of all the Camerons who risked their all in the Stuart cause, the most tragic
fate awaited Lochiel's brother, Archibald. In 1753 Doctor Archie was sent
on his second, and as it turned out, disastrous visit (back to Scotland,
concerning the disposal of the famed "Treasure of Loch Arkaig.")
He reached the Highlands, and while staying secretly at Brenachyle on
Lochkatrineside...he was arrested. Doctor Archie was charged under the Act
of Attainder as having taken part in the rising seven years earlier. The
Doctor was tried and sentenced to death. On 7th June, 1753, Doctor Archie
was drawn on a sledge to Tyburn, where Marble Arch now stands, and surrounded by
a gaping but sympathetic crowd, he met his death with great
bravery and resolution. He was in his 46th year.
Donald Cameron...was succeeded
by his eldest son John (twentieth chief), who was a boy of 16 at that
time. In 1759 John Cameron returned to Scotland. His estates were
still forfeited, but he was able to live in his native land because he had not
been involved in the Rising. He died unmarried in Edinburgh in 1762.
His next brother James, a captain in the Royal Regiment of Scots, having died in
1759, he was succeeded by his youngest brother Charles.
Charles Cameron (twenty-first chief) was gazetted ensign in the 30th Regiment of
Foot in 1765, when the regiment was stationed at Gibraltar. He was
promoted Lieutenant in 1771, and transferred to the 71st or Fraser Highlanders
when that regiment was raised in 1775. He recruited and commanded a
company of 120 men drawn from his own clan. He had obtained a lease of the
Glendessary portion of the Annexed Estate of Lochiel on easy terms from the
Government, so that he evidently knew and was known in Lochaber. When in
the following year the 71st was ordered to proceed to America, Lochiel, who did
not enjoy good health, was ill in London. There he heard that his company
refused to embark without him, so he insisted on traveling to Glasgow, the port
of embarkment. When he arrived there he received a great welcome...
Lochiel died a few weeks later, in 1776.
When Donald Cameron (twenty-second chief, son of Charles Cameron) of Lochiel
succeeded to the chiefship in 1776, the social upheaval which was to
revolutionize life in the Highlands was imminent. He succeeded at the age
of 7, and eight years later the Lochiel estate, which as we have seen, had been
annexed to the Crown, was returned
to him, subject to a fine. In 1799, at the time of the threatened
Napoleonic invasion, Lochiel was appointed Colonel of a regiment of Fencibles to
be raised in the North of Scotland, and to be called "The Lochaber Fencible
Highlanders." Most of the men came from Lochaber;
many of the officers and men being of his own clan. Having been quartered
in Ireland for two years they were disbanded in 1802, the danger of invasion
having passed. Having no suitable residence at Achnacarry, Lochiel decided
to build a new house which he started in 1802. Lochiel died at Toulouse in
France in 1832.
Donald Cameron (twenty-third chief, eldest son of Donald Cameron) of Lochiel was
born in 1796. He was educated at Harrow, the first of a succession of
Lochiels to be educated there. In 1814 he was gazetted to the Grenadier
Guards, and fought with his regiment at the Battle of Waterloo. He retired
from the army on the death of his father and his succession to the estate in
1832. Donald Cameron succeeded at a time when the whole economy of the
estate had been drastically altered. As we have seen the small tenants and
cottars had been replaced by large sheep farmers employing a small number of
shepherds. From being a peasant economy it had changed to a pastoral
economy. In 1837, Lochiel, who had no residence on his estate, arranged to
have the new Achnacarry, started in 1802 by his father, completed, and
thereafter he lived there in the summer months. Lochiel died in England in
1858, and was buried at his wife's home at Hampden, Buckinghamshire.
Donald Cameron (twenty-fourth chief, eldest son of Donald Cameron) of Lochiel
was born in 1835 and
educated at Harrow. As a young man he entered the Diplomatic Service, and
was appointed 1st attache in Lord Elgin's mission to China in 1857, and
afterwards to the embassy at Berlin. He succeeded to the chiefship on his
father's death in 1858, and after a few years retired from the foreign office
service and went to live at Achnacarry to manage his vast estates. In 1868
he was elected Conservative Member of Parliament for Inverness-shire, a seat he
held for the next seventeen years. This Lochiel was the first chief to
make Achnacarry his permanent home since that day in September 1746 when
"The Gentle Lochiel" took his last look at the burnt out ruins of old
Achnacarry; over 100 years before.
Lochiel had become one of the biggest sheep farmers in the North. Many of
his shepherds and stalkers were Camerons; practically all the crofters were
descendants of the old clansmen removed from the glens to make way for sheep
farming during the period 1800 to 1850. But the bulk of the clan were
scattered throughout the world; in Canada, Australia, America, and New Zealand,
and in every part of Scotland and England. It was in 1889 that a small
body of enthusiastic Camerons, inspired by their inborn pride in their race and
its romantic history, decided to form
a Clan Cameron Association. Naturally Lochiel was its chief.
Lochiel was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Inverness-shire in 1887, a post he held
until his death in 1905.
Donald Walter Cameron (twenty-sixth chief, eldest son of Donald Cameron) of
Lochiel was born in 1876. Like his father and grandfather he was educated
at Harrow, and in 1898 was gazetted to his grandfather's regiment, the Grenadier
Guards. He saw service in the South African War being
severely wounded at the Battle of Belmont in 1902. He succeeded to the
chiefship in 1905 on the death of his father. The next year Lochiel
married Lady Hermione Emily Graham, youngest daughter of the 5th Duke of
Montrose, K.T., and retired from the army and went to live at Achnacarry.
In 1912 Lochiel was appointed to command the 3rd Bn. The Cameron
Highlanders. A few days after the outbreak of the war in 1914 Lord
Kitchener asked him to raise a new battalion himself by personal appeal...having
recruited a whole brigade,
Lochiel returned to command this own battalion, the 5th, which he had been
appointed to command. On 10th May, 1915, the battalion embarked for
France. On 30th June they went into battle for the first time, and
thereafter were engaged in all the major battles of the War. After Loos,
25th September, 1916, where the 5th suffered very heavy casualties, Lochiel had
to relinquish his command being invalided home. In 1920 he was appointed
Aide-de-Camp to King George V. After the War Lochiel returned to his
active life in his county of Lochaber. In 1939 Lochiel was appointed Lord
Lieutenant of Inverness-shire, but the crowning honor of his career had come to
him in 1934, when the King created him a Knight of the Thistle in recognition of
his great services to his country and to the Highlands in particular; the first
Knighthood to be conferred upon a Lochiel since Sir Ewen Dubh was knighted by
James, Duke of York, in 1682. Further recognition of his services came to
him in 1948, when the degree of Hon. LL.D. was conferred upon him by Glasgow
University. Lochiel died and was buried at Achnacarry in 1951.
Donald Hamish Cameron (twenty-sixth chief,
eldest son of Donald Walter Cameron) the present chief, was born
in 1910. He was educated at Harrow and Balliol College, Oxford.
Realizing that the future of land and farming in the Highlands was by no means
secure, and in order to retain the Lochiel estate in the Lochiel family, and as
Cameron lands, he saw that he would have to have outside financial resources, so
he became a chartered accountant and embarked on a business career. In
1939 he married Margaret, daughter of Colonel the Hon. Nigel Gathorne-Hardy,
brother of the Earl of Cranbrook.
Lochiel had been commissioned in the Lovat Scouts in 1929, and on the outbreak
of the war in 1939 he joined his regiment on mobilization, and served with it
throughout the Italian Campaign, thus worthily carrying on the military
traditions of his family. When Lochiel's father died in 1951, he decided
that his place must be at Achnacarry, so he had to throw up his appointment in
London. However, his experience and capabilities were such that he was
soon in demand to serve on the boards of several companies so that his business
training stood him in good stead.
Lochiel is Lord-Lieutenant of Inverness-shire by his appointment in 1971; he
thus becomes the third generation of Lochiels to represent their Sovereign in
the county. He is Colonel of the 4/5 Battalion, the Cameron Highlanders
T.A.; a battalion which he commanded from 1954 to 1956. He is county
councillor for Kilmallie on Inverness County Council. His business
interests constantly take him to London and Edinburgh, but every weekend finds
him back at Achnacarry supervising the various projects on his estate, which
still extends to over 100,000 acres (in 1971) and ever ready to welcome members
of the clan to the land of the Camerons. In November 1973, the Queen
created Lochiel a Knight of the Thistle in recognition of his services to his
country.
Donald Angus, Younger of Lochiel (eldest son of Donald Hamish Cameron) was
born in 1946. In 1974 he married Lady Cecil Kerr, 2nd daughter of the 12th
Marquess of Lothia. They have one son, Donald Andrew born 1976, and three
daughters; Catherine Mary born 1975, Lucy Margot born 1980, and Emily Francis
born 1986. Looking to the future, young Donald Angus of Lochiel is
following in his father's footsteps in embarking on a business career. We
wish him well. To him, in due course, will pass the trust of preserving
the Cameron lands for future generations, and ensuring that the great traditions
of the race shall endure.
|
