Clan Cameron is a West HighlandScottish clan, with one main branch Lochiel, and numerous cadet branches. The Clan Cameron lands are in Lochaber[7] and within their lands lies Ben Nevis which is the highest mountain in the British Isles.[8] The Chief of the clan is customarily referred to as simply "Lochiel".[9]
History
Origins
The origins of Clan Cameron are uncertain and there are several theories.[9] Traditionally, it is believed that the Camerons of Lochiel were descended from Banquo, Thane of Lochaber.[10][11][12] The first chief, who in some accounts is asserted to have been an 8th century 'Danish prince',[9] may have been called Cameron from his crooked nose (Scottish Gaelic: cam-shròn, cf. Camshron); such nicknames were common in Highland Gaelic culture, and his descendants would have then adopted the name.[9][13]
Whatever their origin, around the beginning of the 15th century (or possibly earlier), the Camerons established themselves as a Highland clan in the western end of the Great Glen in Lochaber.[15] It is likely they did so through the marriage of a local heiress of the Mael-anfhaidh kindred (Clan Mael-anfaidh, which Moncreiffe translates as "children of He who was Dedicated to the Storm").[15] The Collins Scottish Clan Encyclopedia states that the heiress was from the MacMartin of Letterfinlay family.[14]
By the 15th century, after the Mael-anfhaidh chiefship had passed into the Cameron family, the local families of MacMartin of Letterfinlay, MacGillonie of Strone and MacSorley of Glen Nevis were absorbed within the incoming Clan Cameron.[15] In consequence, the early chiefs of the Highland Camerons were sometimes styled "MacGillonay".[15] Studies of Manuscript 1467 have thrown closer light on the relationships between the Camerons, MacGillonies, MacMartins and others.[16][17][18]
Since the 15th century though, Clan Cameron chiefs have been more commonly styled Mac Dhomnuill Dubh, in reference to the first Cameron chief whom succession can be traced.[15] Donald Dubh was the first "authentic" chief or captain of this confederation of tribes which gradually became known as the Clan Cameron,[14] 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.[8][9]
It was in the time of chief Allan MacDonald Dubh Cameron, XII Chief of Clan Cameron that a feud began with the Clan Mackintosh and the larger Clan Chattan Confederation over disputed lands. The sept Macphail is found in both clans and relates to some members of this family migrating with Clan Chattan to the east whilst others remained and became part of Clan Cameron.[19] This feud would continue sporadically for about 300 years.[14]
The first recorded battle was the Battle of Drumlui in 1337 in which a dispute arose between the Clan Mackintosh and Clan Cameron over land at Glenlui and Loch Arkaig.[20]
The Battle of the North Inch was fought in 1396 as a trial by combat, between thirty selected warriors on each side from the Clan Cameron and Chattan Confederation of Clan Mackintosh.[9][22]
In 1472, Alan MacDonald Dubh, 12th Chief of the Clan Cameron was made constable of Strome Castle on behalf of the Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh. He was later killed in battle in 1480 fighting the Mackintoshes and MacDonalds of Keppoch.[9]
In 1544, a feud took place over the disputed chiefship of the Clan MacDonald of Clan Ranald and this resulted in the Battle of the Shirts where the Camerons provided archers in support of the MacDonalds against the Clan Fraser of Lovat who were defeated. Legend has it that only five Frasers and eight MacDonalds survived. The Camerons subsequently carried out successful raids upon the Clan Grant and Clan Fraser lands, which were incredibly rich and fertile to the Lochaber men. Owing to his role in this conflict Ewen Cameron fell into disfavour with the Earl of Huntly, Chief of Clan Gordon and Lieutenant of the North. Chief Ewen Cameron would be executed as a result of this battle and other actions at Elgin in 1547.[9][31]
The Battle of Bun Garbhain was fought in 1570 when Donald Dubh Cameron, XV Chief of Clan Cameron, had died, leaving an infant son, Allan, at the head of the clan. During the battle the Chief of MacKintosh is believed to have been killed by Donald 'Taillear Dubh na Tuaighe' Cameron, (son of the XIV Chief of Clan Cameron), with a fearsome Lochaber axe.[9][32]
During the Civil War at the Battle of Inverlochy 1645, Clan Cameron fought on the side of the Royalist Scots and Irish who defeated the Scottish Covenanters of Clan Campbell.[9] The clan continued to oppose Oliver Cromwell, and played a leading role in Glencairn's rising of 1651 to 1654.[9]
The Stand-off at the Fords of Arkaig 1665 – a standoff without bloodshed that saw the Camerons finally end their 328-year feud with the Chattan Confederation, led by the Clan Mackintosh.[34]
In 1668, Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, XVII Chief was responsible for keeping the peace between his men and Clan Mackintosh. However, when he was away in London a feud broke out between Clan MacDonald and the Mackintoshes. As Sir Ewen was away he was not able to hold back his clan, and they made contribution to the MacDonald victory over the Mackintoshes and Mackenzies at the Battle of Mulroy, east of Spean Bridge.[9][35]
Jean Cameron of Glendessary, known as 'Bonnie Jean Cameron', was a popular Jacobite heroine, cousin of Lochiel and said to have been a mistress of Prince Charles. Indeed, led by her the Camerons of Glendessary provided 300 men for Lochiel at Glenfinnan. The MacMartins sept of the clan are also said to have been amongst the most loyal and valuable followers of Lochiel. In the 1745 Jacobite rising, the MacMartins were "out with" Lochiel's regiment.[41]
Another Cameron clansman and French Royal Armynoncommissioned officer named John Du Cameron, who was known as an Sergeant Mòr, fought as a Jacobite, but remained on the run and continued fighting after Culloden and even after the Act of Indemnity. While being hunted down as an outlaw, Sgt. du Cameron engaged in both cattle raiding and selling protection against theft. He was eventually captured in 1753 and executed, but remains a popular local folk hero.[42]Dr Archibald Cameron of Lochiel who was the chief's brother and a leading Jacobite was also captured and executed in 1753.[43]
Colonel John Cameron (1771–1815), son of Ewen Cameron, 1st Baronet and grandson of John Cameron of Fassiefern – a brother of the Gentle Lochiel, was another distinguished military commander, whose family became baronets as a result of his martial success.
After Culloden, Clan Cameron's land was forfeited and reverted to the government. In 1784 it was returned to Donald Cameron 22nd of Lochiel, grandson of the "Gentle Lochiel", who was only 15 at the time.[44] The land was managed by a trust until 1819, when Donald Cameron succeeded to his inheritance. The first clearance took place in 1801 at Clunes. Major emigrations, notably to Canada, began in 1802. The clearances continued under the name of Donald Cameron 22nd of Lochiel when he took over from the Trust in 1819.[45]
The Clan Cameron Museum at Achnacarry has a display of Cameron history including an account of the Cameron clearances.[46] The library also has copies of the books referenced in this section.
Some traditional Cameron land, on the eastern side of Loch Lochy, was not returned in 1784. In 1770 control had passed to the Duke of Gordon who proceeded to raise rents and clear the land with the aid of his Factor, the Revd John Anderson. The Duke's clearances from the Lochaber Estate through his reverend factotum went on until 1806.[47]
Many Camerons around the world trace their origins to people removed from their lands during the Highland Clearances.[48]
Donald Cameron of Lochiel, XXIII Chief fought with distinction at the Battle of Waterloo with the Grenadier Guards. He retired in 1832. Later that same year he married Lady Vere Hobart, daughter of Hon. George Vere Hobart and sister of the 6th Earl of Buckinghamshire. Vere Hobart was descended from the Camerons of Glendessary through her mother Janet Maclean (Hobart's second wife), daughter of Alexander Maclean of Coll and Catherine Cameron, daughter of Allan Cameron, 5th of Glendessary (sister of famed Jean Cameron of Glendessary).[9]
Notably, the Cameron Highlanders were the last battalions that wore the kilt in battle, due to the purposeful delaying of orders by commanding officers in the battalions (no one wanted to give up the kilt) and a surprise attack by the Germans (successfully repelled). For this they earned the nickname of 'Ladies from Hell'.[9]
Sir Donald Hamish Cameron of Lochiel, KT XXVI Chief served with Cameron Highlanders, later becoming Honorary Colonel, and was appointed a Knight of the Thistle in 1973.
Tor Castle: Ewen Cameron, XIII Chief of Camerons, rebuilt "Tor Castle" in the early 15th century. It was abandoned (but not torn down) by his great-great-great-grandson SirEwen "Dubh" Cameron of Lochiel, XVII Chief of Camerons. Tor Castle was used by the Camerons as a refuge from attacks by the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch.[4]
Achnacarry Castle: Chief Sir Ewen wanted a more "convenient house" and built Achnacarry Castle circa 1655, which was burned to the ground by Hanoverian forces following the Battle of Culloden in 1746.[4] In 1802, Donald Cameron, XXII Chief, built a new mansion house at Achnacarry,[4] after repaying a huge fine to the British Government to regain the estates of his ancestors. The house remains, near the line of trees that Lochiel (the Gentle) planted on the day that he heard of the landing of Bonnie Prince Charlie. There is a museum in a cottage nearby, founded by Sir Donald Cameron of Lochiel in 1989.[4]
The Camerons of Lochiel also had a castle on Eilean nan Craobh (Tree Island) in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.[4][49]
There are two crests that can be worn, the original Dexter Arm crest and the Five Arrows crest representing the five united branches of the clan with a band under the overall leadership of the Camerons of Lochiel. The five branches are:
^ abcdefgCoventry, Martin (2008). Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans. Musselburgh: Goblinshead. p. 75. ISBN978-1-899874-36-1.
^MacKenzie, Alexander (2008). The History of the Camerons. Vol. IX. BiblioBazaar (reprint). p. 156. ISBN978-0-559-79382-0. ((cite book)): |journal= ignored (help) Modern reprint of November 1883 article with a detailed account of Cameron history from 1654 to 1665.
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