Cameron of Inverailort

[Cameronian]

We all know of the wealth of material held at the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh in the Cameron of Fassifern papers, but on this last trip over to Scotland I was given access to the Cameron –Head archives held at the Highlands Archives at the Inverness Library.

These archives contain 100 boxes of past correspondence, business dealings and personal correspondence that has passed through the family of Sir Alexander Cameron of Inverailort who in 1818 married Christian MacDonell of Barrisdale, not only did Sir Alexander Cameron of Inverailort have a distinguished Army career (Holland, Egypt, Waterloo) but the records held by this Estate document the historyu of his family and the changes that occurred within Inverailort from the 1800's – in Arasaig, and all the surrouding area throughout the years of WWll and the use of this Estate as the Commando Training centre – Naval training base, to the death of Pauline Cameron Head.

One of the letters enclosed in these archives is of interest to me as an Australian Cameron, it was headed Fort William 1834. and addressed D Cameron Esq of Inverailort, it had been written by a well educated woman, possibly unmarried as she refers to "myself and relatives".

Who she was and what her connection into Donald Cameron of Inverailort was is what I would now like to understand.

The letter read:.

Sir,

I acknowledge to have this day received from you a Bill of Exchange for One Hundred pounds drawn by the Branch of the London Chartered Band of Australia at Melbourne upon the said Bank in London dated 28 July 1833 and payable at thirty days after sight which has been transmitted by my brother Donald Cameron to you to enable me to defray the expense attending the removal of myself and relatives to Australia.

I am Sir,
Your Obedient Servant

Margaret Cameron ( the envelope is endorsed Camus na traan (or so it appears to read)

[Cameronian]

From THE CAMERONS (John Stewart of Ardvorlich) quoting Alexander Mackenzie in his History of the Cameron’s “The Camerons of Inverailort claim to have originally sprung from the family or Erracht” not what one would call a ‘whole hearted’ endorsement of this line of Cameron descendants. However, now having spent some time researching these Inverailort archives it is hard to dispute the evidence which was presented, recorded and accepted by Lord Lyon and the College of Heralds, however it does differ from the line recorded within the above book.

The line itself is extremely interesting not to mention Inverailort itself where in later years the whole organistion of the Glenfinnan Highland Games evolved and was managed.

Sir Alexander Cameron KCB KCH alone, could require a full chapter, he raised the Highland Company of the 95th Rifle Corps in Lochaber, where he is recorded as a gallant and distinguished officer, and intimate friend of the Duke of Wellington. He Commanded the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade during the last two years of the Peninsula War and at Waterloo. He was promoted Lieut Colonel in 1812 and Colonel 1830, Major General 1838. Appointed colonel 74th Highlanders 1846 and in 1815 he received from the Emperor of Russia the Order of St Anne.

He was granted a Military Coat of Arms in addition to his personal Arms in recognition of his distinguished services and one can not help but think that he would have approved of his estate having played such an important part during World War ll. when Inverailort became a training Centre for Officers who arrived for Commando training; in this Special Training Centre

The line of descent as shown within these Family papers is as follows:

Ewen – 13th Chief of Lochiel married as his second wife Marjory Mackintosh daughter of Lachlan “Badenoch” Mackintosh
·1.Ewen Cameron born c 1530 died 1580 assassinated at meeting of the Clan at Inverlochy Castle was 1st of Erracht married Margaret Stewart
2.Alan Cameron born 1560 died 1630 married Margaret Cameron of Glen Nevis
3.Ewen Cameron born 1580 hanged for cattle lifting 1630 married Flora Mackenzie 1620
4.James Cameron born 1654 died 1694 married 1678 Grace MacDonald of Glencoe….Great Grandfather of Sir Alan Cameron of Erracht 1744-1828 who raised the 79th Cameron Highlanders
·5.Alan Cameron born 1656 killed at Killiekrankie 1689. married 1679 Margaret Cameron of Glendessary Granddaughter of Alan 16th Chief of Lochiel
6.Alan Cameron Born 1688 died 1747 married 1723 Christian daughter of Cameron of Glendessary by his wife Christian daughter of Sir Ewen Dubh of Lochiel, fought at Culloden
7.Donald Cameron of Glendessary born at Murligan 1725 lived at Murligan till 1780. died 1802 Inverie Knoydart. married Helen daughter Angus Macdonald Vl of Achtriachtan Glencoe by his wife Flora Cameron of Callart
8.Alexander Cameron (Sir) of Inverailort born 1778 died 1850 raised the Highland 95th Rifle Corp KCB.1838. Order of St Anne. Married 1818 Christian MacDonell of Barrisdale daughter of Coll MacDonell 4th Barrisdale

[Cameronian]

I perhaps found the answer to the question that arose from a letter found during my previous visit to these Cameron-Head archives;

“Who she was and what her connection into Donald Cameron of Inverailort Esq was, is what I would now like to understand.”

I now know that a younger brother to Sir Alexander Cameron of Inverailort was named Donald, he was a Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade born c 1776. It is quite likely that in his later years after retiring from the Army he spent time at Inverailort Managing the Estate during the time when this letter was written….. his date of death is not recorded however we do know that he died unmarried