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CLAN CAMERON ASSOCIATION SCOTLAND

EDITION No 20 Spring 2011Price (non-members) £2.40Printed by Clan Cameron Association Scotland(UK &Europe)

Website: www.clancameron.org.uk

TABLE OF CONTENTSCommissioner’s Letter P 2 Achnacarry / Culloden 2011 P 9Editorial P 3 30th January 1891 P 10St Kilda P 4 P 11St Kilda P 5 Book Offer P 12Derby AGM P 6 P 13CCA Medal / Bursary P 7 Anniversary Dinner P 14Obituaries P 8 Anniversary Dinner P 15

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COMMISSIONER’S LETTERThe AGM in 2010 saw a contingent of Clan Cameron headsouth for Derby to be met by Camerons living locally. Follow-ing a successful meeting, the group visited sites of Jacobiteinterest in the town, including the George public house, theCathedral and the statue erected to Bonnie Prince Charlie.The following day clansfolk visited Swarkestone, the farthestpoint the Highland army reached, before making the fatefuldecision to turn north. On the banks of the river, we foundboth oak and white roses.

Despite the severe weather we experienced from November into 2011, the yearstarted well with the 120th Anniversary Dinner, sponsored by Ben Nevis DistilleryLtd, held at the five star Blythswood Square Hotel, Glasgow. In beautiful surround-ings the dinner recreated the atmosphere of the inaugural meeting of the Associationin 1891, which had been attended by the then Lochiel. For those members whoweren’t able to attend there is a selection of photos on the web site.

In February members had the opportunity to watch an interview on TV with ourclan chief at Achnacarry as Michael Portillo’s rail journey of Britain reached FortWilliam and Mallaig -truly one of the world’s finest rail journeys.

Once again, the Association will be attending the memorial service at Culloden onSaturday 16th April, followed by lunch at the Cawdor Tavern.

This year marks the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Harlaw and some Cameronswill be present. The Association will be actively represented throughout the summerHighland games season, with a tent at the Lochaber and Glenfinnan games. For thefirst time, the Association will also be attending the ‘clan village’ at the AboyneGames.

Stuart Morris, Ygr of Balgonie has kindly invited the Clan Cameron Association toBalgonie Castle in Fife for the AGM on Sunday 23rd October - a venue not far fromthe Cameron Brig distillery.

It promises to be a busy year for the Association and with the active support ofcouncil and members, I’m sure it will be a most enjoyable one.Duncan G CameronCommissioner CCAS

LOCHIEL WITH COLIN AND ALISON CAMERON

TRISTAN SANDERS ASTIE & TRACY CAMERON

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The mention of St. Kilda to most Scots folk will likely conjureup images of a remote island far out in the roaring Atlantic.They will probably consider a place of distant sea stacs,inhabited by thousands of sea birds, and where until onlyeighty years ago, a distinctive Gaelic community and culturehad existed for hundreds of years amidst the harshest ofclimates and challenging living conditions.

On the other side of the world, New Zealanders and Australians will no doubt holddifferent images of St. Kilda, as both countries also have places by the same name - St.Kilda in Dunedin New Zealand, and St. Kilda in Melbourne, Australia. Together, they cantrace the origins of their place names back to the island of St. Kilda, off the west coastof Scotland. One theory suggests that it was called after the schooner

trading ship which was named after Lady Lydia Acland, the wife of Sir. ThomasDyce Acland, in proud recognition of her being the first Lady to voluntarily land on theisland in 1812.

In August this year, just a few days short of the 80th anniversary of the island beingevacuated, I boarded a boat from Leverburgh on the Island of Harris, which was to takeme forty miles out into the wild Atlantic to visit the remotest strip of land in British Isles.

After a couple of hours being thrown about in the stern of theboat, the faint outline of land appeared on the horizon, asclouds paused over Conachair, the highest point on St. Kilda.As we headed in to the relatively sheltered waters of VillageBay on the main Island of Hirta, you couldn’t help but beoverwhelmed by the sudden appearance of this massivealmost vertical rock jutting out through the never-endingseascape. You just had to reflect that 80 years previously, itwas from this same landing pier that the last 36 remaining St.Kildans had waited with all their worldly possessions to boardthe for mainland Britain. At 7 am, a constant human

llink which had spanned thousands of years of human ingenuity and survival, and againstthe harshest elements on an isolated rocky outcrop in the Atlantic would end forever.

In the intervening years, many hundreds of books have been written about this remotearchipelago. Many of these portray a romantic idyll, far from the worries of money, class

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and man’s ever present need to consume in order to achieve status. Fortunately thereare a few titles in which we can gather glimpses of the St. Kildans’ distinctive culture,their devotion to the church, and their inspiring ability to overcome the adversities oftheir remote location.

Due to severe and unpredictable weather conditions out in the Atlantic, getting to St.Kilda by boat is generally limited to a few of the summer months. As such, the St. Kildancommunity was largely self-sufficient, dependent on an annual seafowl harvest, gather-ing puffins, gannets and fulmars from surrounding sea stacs hundreds of feet above theroaring Atlantic below. From this harvest, the islanders stored and dried the meat,feathers and oil of the birds in their distinctive stone buildings ( in order to seethem through the harsh winter months. A large amount of their annual store was setaside and used as a form of currency to pay their rent to the landlord - MacLeod ofMacLeod on the Isle of Skye.

Like most visitors to St. Kilda, I had read a number of books on the island’s history priorto my visit. I should also add that I had waited twoyears to get on to one of the summer trips to theisland. In fact, it was easier to visit the other twoSt. Kildas at the other end of the world than theone here in Scotland.

It was whilst reading about St. Kilda that I chancedupon an unlikely Cameron connection with theisland, in the form of a missionary by the name ofDonald Cameron.

It was 1919 when Donald Cameron, a native of Ballachulish, then working as an assistantat the High Church in Stornoway, was called by the United Free Church authorities inEdinburgh to serve the remote St. Kildan community. It would appear that Donald hadno hesitation in taking up this remote calling. In fact there turned out to be a dual role,as his wife, Mary, a trained schoolteacher, was also called by the authorities to educatethe children of St. Kilda.

Donald and Mary, along with their two little daughters Mary (5) and Christina (4) madethe journey on board the steamer from Lochmaddy on North Uist over to St.Kilda in the summer of 1919. (Continued on Page 13)

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DERBY - CCAS AGM OCTOBER 2010There has always been speculation regarding the questionas to what would have happened if Prince Charles Edwardhad had his way at Derby and the Jacobite army had carriedon to London. Indeed, all logic would have pointed to acontinuation. After all, the Jacobite army had successfullymade its way south without encountering any serious oppo-sition. It was rumoured that there was panic in London butthe Prince’s advisers urged caution. Firstly, and disappointingly, their ranks had not beenswollen by English Jacobites as promised. Secondly, there was no sign of the Frenchreinforcements that the Prince had promised and thirdly, the clansmen were anxious toreturn home to tend their livestock. Foremost amongst those urging a retreat wasLochiel. The Prince was headstrong and self willed. However, the clan chiefs prevailed andthe army set about the long trek home. Interestingly, there is a statue of the mounted

Prince behind the Cathedral in Derby. The artist hascleverly portrayed the dilemma by showing the horsefacing north while the Prince is facing towards London.It was all so different from the triumphant entry to Derbywhen the troops demanded billets in the city. A plaque onthe wall of The George - a former coaching inn close tothe Cathedral records this fact. Inside the cathedral itselfa plaque on the wall surmounted by the white Jacobiterose records that the Prince’s officers took sacramentthere between 4th and 6th December 1745. The Chaplainprayed for King James, Charles, Prince of Wales and

Regent and Henry, Duke of York. .With all the Cameron and Jacobite connections, it was appropriate, therefore, that theAssociation decided to hold the AGM in Derby on Saturday, 23rd October, 2010. Several ofthose attending stayed at the Stuart Hotel (where else?) and it was good to see the redclan kilts and the green Erracht tartan prominent in the city centre. After the Councilmeeting in the morning, we all met for lunch at an excellent Italian restaurant and returnedfor the AGM at 2.00. It was good to see a few members who lived locally had turned up forthe AGM. After the AGM, we did a Jacobite tour of the city, capably led by Duncan and Jane,taking in the plaque on The George, the magnificent cathedral and the only mounted statueof Bonnie Prince Charlie. On the Sunday, several members paid a visit to Swarkestone Moor(with its Bonnie Prince Public House) where a skirmish had taken place and was thefurthest south point that the Jacobite army reached.

Alan I Cameron

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facing north while the Prince is facing towards London.

Regent and Henry, Duke of York. .

CLAN CAMERON STUDENT BURSARYOne of the original constitutional aims of the Clan Cameron Associationwas “The Encouragement of Education.” With this aim very much inmind and the current funding situation facing today’s young Camerons,Duncan, our Commissioner, launched a student bursary at the 2010AGM at Derby.

The aim of the bursary is to provide a small amount of financial supportto post school students for appropriate materials such as books, computersoftware, artist materials etc. As technology moves on, no doubt thenature of the support will change to meet students’ needs.

Members and others may wish to enhance the original capital sum. Theinterest from the invested sum will provide the bursary and each year astudent or students will be chosen to receive an award. The name/s willbe announced at the AGM and the progress of the student/s will befollowed through their course of studies.

The bursary will be open to anyone who is a family or individual memberof Clan Cameron Association Scotland. Arrangements for applicationwill be finalised and appear in the Autumn newsletter.Duncan Cameron

CCA MEDALLION This medallionwas presented to Donald Carmichael Cameronby CCA. Donald was the paternal grandfatherof Caroline McCarthy. It states:

CLAN CAMERON GLASGOW AND WESTOF SCOTLAND BRANCH PRESENTED TOMR DONALD C CAMERON BY A NUMBEROF HIS CLANSMEN IN GLASGOW ANDWEST OF SCOTLAND ALONG WITH ATESTIMONIAL AS TOKENS OF ESTEEMFOR HIS VALUABLE SERVICES ASSECRETARY OF THE BRANCH OF THEASSOCIATION FOR THREE YEARS.AUGUST 1896

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Angus Cameron (Laxdale) 1930-2010By Bill CameronWe were saddened by the passing of Angus (Laxdale) herein Lochaber in early July. Angus was a founder member of theFirst Light exchange committee in Lochaber, and a greatsupporter of the programme throughout its first ten years. Alife long friend of Lochaber-born Maisie Earle who lived nextdoor to him, Angus was born in the family home ‘Laxdale’,alongside Neptunes staircase at Banavie near Fort William.After attending Banavie primary and Fort William secondaryschools, Angus went on to complete his National Service inthe RAF, although ironically on RAF boats. Angus spent all his life on ships,acquiring his Master’s Certificate and becoming a pilot at Loch Ewe and TheForth. Returning from National Service, Angus worked through a number ofpositions with the Admiralty, becoming Chief Admiralty Pilot and AssistantQueen’s Harbour Master at Rosyth.During his time as an oil pollution officer on the Forth, Angus was involved inoperation ‘Clear Water Forth’ and was subsequently awarded an MBE forservices to the marine environment in 1989.Married to his late wife Margaret for thirty-seven years. He is survived by a sonand daughter. Angus’s daughter, Marion, lives in Lochaber with her husbandand three children. Angus was very proud of all five of his grandchildren.

Antony (Tony) Cameron (Contributed by James Wood - brother-in law)

On the 4th February Tony Cameron died in hospital inAberdeen. He was an enthusiastic member of the ScottishClan Cameron Association for over 10 years. In 2001 heattended the Clan Gathering at Achnacarry accompaniedby his wife, Doreen, and also the Gathering in 2005. Heenjoyed other Cameron events such as the visit to AdenCountry Park and Delgaty Castle, and also visitedCulloden for the commemoration of the Battle .

Although he was born and brought up in England he moved to Edinburgh,where his aunt lived, and served his engineering apprenticeship with Bertram's.His love of Scotland flourished and he enjoyed most weekends amongst thehills with a friend, and became a member of the Cairngorm Club 62 years agowhen started working in Aberdeen. He set up his own engineering designbusiness, and was involved with the Aberdeen Mechanical Society as Secretaryfor many years and later as President. He is remembered for his cheerfulnessand love of recounting experiences of his younger days.

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This wonderful aerial photograph of Achnacarry in winter was taken by Ian Thornber

Culloden 2011

The Culloden Memorial Service will be held at the Battlefield onSaturday, 16th April at 11.00. As usual, we will proceed as a clan fromthe centre to the cairn preceded by our own piper - Astie. After theservice and the laying of wreaths, we will go to the Cameron grave andleave a small floral tribute. For those who are fit, it is the tradition thatwe then go to the Cameron Marker stone and again leave a small floraltribute and remember those of our clan who fell on the battlefield.

Lunch has been arranged for 1.00 at the Cawdor Tavern and you areasked to confirm your attendance as early as possible and book yourmain course so that the meal can be served promptly. After the meal, thespeaker will be The Very Reverend Allan McLean of Dochgarroch.There is a separate booking form enclosed with this Newsletter and itwould be appreciated if this could be completed and sent to Duncanalong with your remittance and the meal choices of all in your party.

Alan I Cameron

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This article appeared in The Glasgow Herald of 30 January 1891 and records the first meeting of the Clan Association

A Social gathering of the Clan Cameron and friends took place last nightin The Queen’s Rooms, Glasgow. Lochiel occupied the chair, and there wasalso on the platform – Rev. Dr John Cameron, Dunoon; Mr Allan Cameron(Lundavra), Elmwood, Belfast; Mr John Cameron S.S.C. Edinburgh secy;Mr W. Keith Cameron, San Carlos, Falkland Islands; Dr Hector C. Cam-eron, ex Provost. Niel Cameron, Pollockshaws; Mr P. Cameron (Corrychoil-lie); Mr John Cameron, Pollockshields; Mr Alex. Cameron, Elgin;ex-Provost John Cameron, Kirkintilloch; Dr James A. Cameron, Edinburgh,&c. After tea, the Chairman addressed the meeting. He was glad, he said, topreside over the gathering – such a gathering as had not taken place sincethe gathering of the clan before the fatal field of Culloden. He referred toseveral things connected with the clan, among others the clan regiment, the79th, which performed many gallant deeds. A more gallant record than thatof the regiment was not found in the annals of the British Army. Themembers of the clan had distinguished themselves in other professions. Notonly in arms, but in travel, in science, and in literature the members of theclan had distinguished themselves especially that branch, if he might call ita branch, which belonged to the profession of reporting in the field – aprofession which required the exercise of energy, courage, foresight andprudence. Referring to the birthplace of the clan, Lochaber, the chairmansaid the condition of the people there was much better than it was 25 or 30yrs ago. there was no place within the four corners of Great Britain wherethe conditions of those who had to work for their daily living was moresatisfactory than in Lochaber. Famine and destitution were absolutelyunknown. Money was plentiful, wages were high and labour was abundant.The people were much better housed than in former times and he was proudto say that on the Lochiel estate almost all of the comfortable houses werebuilt by the crofters themselves at their own expense. (Applause.) It was amelancholy thing in some parts of the Highlands to see the ruins of housesin spots which were formerly inhabited but it was an equally melancholything to see people placed where there was no work for them and where thehouses stood too thickly together. In Lochaber, he ventured to say, they hadarrived at the happy medium. The chairman next referred with satisfactionto the progress being made with the construction of the West Highlandrailway, and expressed the hope that the Skye extension would yet beproceeded with. Other gentlemen subsequently addressed the gathering.

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Tristan Sanders First Light Exchange 2010-2011

For those of you who are not aware, the First Light Exchangescheme was set up between New Zealand and Scotland to giveyoung Camerons the opportunity to experience the life andculture of each other’s country. Accordingly, young Cameronsfrom New Zealand come to Scotland and are hosted here bymembers of the clan and in the alternate year, the Scottishexchangee goes to New Zealand. So far Astie Cameron, BillCameron, David Cameron, Shona Cameron and Robert Nairnhave all experienced life in the Antipodes. We have welcomedShona Cameron, Heather Cameron, Rachel Walker and thisyear we have had Tristan Sanders. This is one of the moreimportant aspects of the Clan Associations linking theCamerons on opposite sides of the world.

Each exchangee has to undertake employment, study theculture of the country and learn about the Clan and its activities.Perhaps the most taxing employment fell to Heather Cameronwho was employed as the sole teacher on the small remoteisland of Eigg over the winter months.

Tristan Sanders who comes from around Hamilton in NorthIsland spent 6 months in Lochaber as a fencing contractor andin felling trees. He was also, naturally, involved with Lochaberrugby club where his Kiwi skills were much valued. Tristanspent several days over in the North East with Elizabeth and meWe visited the largest white fish port in Europe at Peterhead andsampled the catch straight of the boat at the Dolphin Restaurantnext door to the Fishmarket. We also went to the ruined SlainsCastle where it is claimed Bram Stoker had the inspiration forDracula. At the end of February, Tristan set off for Canada onhis way home to NZ.

Alan I Cameron

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This new book by Peter Pininski is unique – it tellsthe story of Prince Charles Edward Stuart togetherwith that of his daughter and heir, Charlotte,Duchess of Albany, then reveals the lives his threesecret grandchildren and descendants. Pininskidoes not take the usual anglo- centric view, but sets

the prince against the British-Polish family and Italian home of his actualupbringing. Then, after the failure of the 1745 Rising, the author detailsthe prince’s pan-European network of cousins, British Jacobites, interna-tional bankers and freemasons who tried to further the Stuart Cause andthen hid the prince’s grandchildren whose existence was a tightly-heldsecret until discovered by Pininski’s research.

Hardback with colour and b&w illustrations.� Clan members may order this book for the special price of

£15.00, instead of the High Street price of £20.00.� Either phone (+44) (0) 1285 760030, or write: sales@amberley-

books.com Please quote the code: ‘CLANS’.� Or order via: www.amberleybooks.com� (search word: Pininski; next add to shopping basket; then enter the

A NEW BOOK BY PETER PININSKIWITH A REDUCED RATE FOR

CLAN MEMBERS

Clan Cameron Assembly-CCAS AGM Minutes 13th February 1891(From the Minute Book)

“Our recent social gathering in the city presided over by our beloved andesteemed Chief must be fresh in the minds of all present. Thearrangements, excellent in their design, were carried out with the mostcomplete success and the proceedings of the gathering werecharacterised by the utmost enthusiasm. As was appropriately expressedby Lochiel such a gathering of the clan had not been held since thefateful day of Culloden and it was with unalloyed pleasure and surprisethat our hereditary chief met face to face with such an array of warmhearted and devoted Camerons. One gratifying result of our gathering isa most encouraging rush of new members to our ranks; but nothing shortof the enrolment of every true Cameron in the country, not to speak ofour Camerons beyond the seas should satisfy our aim and ambition.”

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Travelling with all the necessary supplies to last them through the tough winter months,the Camerons reached St. Kilda with all their essentials including: large quantities of food,educational materials, Christmas presents for their two daughters, and even the familycow ( ) for a ready supply of milk.

We can gather from accounts left by Christina Cameron as an old woman, that when theyarrived at the pier in Village Bay, the Cameron family were well received by the close-knitSt. Kildan community.

They were housed in the Church manse, which still stands (although extensivelyrenovated since the evacuation), along with the St. Kilda Church and its adjoiningschoolroom. This small collection of buildings would be the family home for the nextseven years, until they left in 1926 – four years before the eventual evacuation of theisland in 1930.

During the Cameron family’s time on the island, they were inextricably linked with everyaspect of the St. Kildans’ way of life. From being involved in seeing off parties of men tohunt and gather birds from the surrounding sea stacs, to preaching and teachingrespectively to the islanders young and old, all the while catering for the entirecommunity’s strict religious observance in the beliefs of United Free Church of Scotland

– Donald and Mary led the way.(Part 2 of this fascinating article will appear in the Autumn 2011 edition)

Editorial

As the Editor of the newsletter, it gives me both pleasure and headachesin trying to put everything together twice a year. This was compoundedthis year by the fact that my computer started to misbehave just as I wascompleting the copy. However, that aside, I thought it would enhance thenewsletter if we had some correspondence about the clan or its relevancein our society today. Perhaps you feel that the clan needs to change toappeal to younger people. Perhaps we need to redirect our energies tosupporting “First Light” and the Education Bursary. Perhaps we needto look at the purpose of a Clan Association in our modern society. Nolonger does the chief send round the “fiery cross” to call us to battle. Itis a long time since we have had a Creach (cattle raid). It would be usefulto have your ideas and we may even give a small prize for the star letter.A I CAMERON, March 2011.

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On Saturday January 29th 2011, the Clan Cameron Association Scotland made historyagain by meeting together in the magnificent Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow tocelebrate the 120th anniversary of the Inaugural Dinner which resulted in the creation ofour Association.

Our journey began in Rutland from where we travelledby train to Glasgow on Thursday 27th January arriving atthe Blythswood Square Hotel at around 5pm. We weretold by staff in advance that as the hotel had formerlybeen the headquarters of the Royal Automobile ClubScotland, competitors in the classic commemorativeMonte Carlo Rally, returning to start from Glasgow afteralmost 40 years, would be leaving from directly outsidethe hotel front entrance at 6-30pm. We quickly checkedin and returned down to the foyer to be given a resi-dents’ priority to the event attended by the Lord Prov-ost and many dignitaries.

The eventsaw an Aus-

tin Healey sports car, (of great significancefor us as my wife Janet, is a cousin of thefounder of the Austin Healey company.) withall it’s rally regalia leading the field off to theaccompaniment of the pipes from thesquare to West George Street. After that,many other famous Marques followed, amongthem Alfa Romeo, Saab, Toyota and BMC MiniCooper which had all been classics of theirday. Each vehicle was led on a timed basisout of the square by the piper following inter-views with drivers and navigators, and to theloud applause of the crowds thronging thestreets around the hotel. This was a spectac-ular introduction to what was to become amemorable visit to Glasgow.

Barry & Janet

Duncan & Jane

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The day of our anniversary dinner arrived and we were all greeted by our President,Duncan Cameron for a “Gathering Reception” in the Rally Bar of the hotel, which hadmany lovely mementoes - both of a motoring era now gone and of the late Jim Clark, atrue modern hero of Scotland and ranked as one of the finest racing drivers in historyalong with the great Juan Manuel Fangio. It was wonderful to meet up with fellow Clanmembers, some old friends and many new ones and we all enjoyed a Dram of Ben NevisBlue Label Whisky, kindly sponsored by the Ben Nevis Distillery of Fort William, a truetaste of Lochaber! An opportunity was also available to purchase raffle tickets for a bottleof the Ben Nevis Whisky.

Dinner was to be taken in the Monte Carlo Suite adjoining the bar and truly magnificentit looked for an occasion celebrating our event. Astie Cameron, our own Clan Piper ledthe opening of the evening along with Lochiel our esteemed Chief. Clan President DuncanCameron gave a welcome to all and introduced us to the format for the evening. Gracewas given by The Very Reverend Allan Maclean of Dochgarroch and our celebration trulygot under way with a very tasty meal.

Astie Cameron gave us a wonderful display of his piping to rapturous applause beforeAlan Cameron gave us a solo rendition in Gaelic and English of “March of the CameronMen.”

Our Chief Donald Cameron of Lochiel gave us a verywarm address and made mention of the significance ofthe evening and the modern meaning of Clanship andit’s importance in the heritage of Scotland and the reachit has across the world. He also referred to the successof our own gathering and the many friendships we allmade following the event at Achnacarry, during the yearof “The Homecoming”.

Toasts were then proposed and responded to and thedraw for the raffle produced a lucky winner for the 10year old Ben Nevis Malt.

The evening drew to a very successful close with a blessing. All agreed that it was indeeda worthy way to celebrate 120 years, and the efforts of all those who went before us topreserve and promote our wonderful clan and the society to which we belong.

Barry Chalmers-Stevens

Allan MacLean of Dochgarroch

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BEN NEVIS WERE SPONSORS OF THECLAN CAMERON ASSOCIATION FOR 2010 AND THE 120th ANNIVERSARY DINNER

Ben Nevis Distillery (Fort William) Ltd, Lochy Bridge, Fort William, PH33 6TJ