Lord Malmesbury - "Memoirs of an Ex-Minister"

[Thomas Cameron]

Hi All,

Is anyone familiar with Lord Malmesbury's (James Howard Harris) "Memoirs of an Ex-Minister." As you might already know, Malmesbury leased a portion of Achnacarry for a reported 15 years, circa 1860.

I have read one story referencing Loch Arkaig and believe that this book may contain a number of other Achnacarry / Clan Cameron / Loch Arkaig items suitable for preservation in the Clan Cameron Archives.

If any readers do have access to a copy of this book, and wouldn't mind, we would appreciate copies of any suitable portions for the Archives.

Thanks - and happy reading!

[ChrisDoak]

Hi Tom,

I've never come across this guy before,but I checked the Catalogue for the Mitchell Library in Glasgow,and yes - they do have a copy of his 1882 book.

I shall check it out next week,once the Library re-opens after the Glasgow Fair Holiday,and hopefully there will be something of interest to us all.

Cheers,Chris.

[Thomas Cameron]

Hi Chris,

Thanks - I can't wait to see what Achnacarry "tidbits" may be hidden within! I've always wondered what he may or may not have written about the Lochiel Estate...

[ChrisDoak]

Hi Tom,

Photocopies of some relevant pages from the two volumes heading your way - mostly tales of hunting,shooting,and fishing around Lochaber,and his comments on the landscape,but I'm sure some of it will be of interest for the Archives.

As you were saying,the Earl of Malmesbury had a lease on Achnacarry for the Hunting Season (August to November) for the years 1844 to 59,and he apparently only missed visiting there from the South of England on two occasions.He really seems to have enjoyed entertaining the rich and titled at Achnacarry!

The most exciting entry I came across in the Memoirs was this:

"1859.October 15th - Mr Ogle,the photographer,arrived,and made some excellent photographs of the beautiful scenery here and of our party.The cold is intense,and we are buried in snow."

I don't think I've ever come across any photographs of Lochaber from such an early date as this - I wonder where they are now?

Cheers,Chris.

[Thomas Cameron]

Hi Chris,

Thanks - I'll be looking for those copies, and we'll get them up into the Archives!

I'm also very interested in that photographer. A brief search discovered very limited references to a "T Ogle," Victorian landscape and nature photographer. Perhaps he's our man? I have also wondered about the sketches of Queen Victoria, done during her outing on Loch Arkaig (with Lochiel) in 1873. She wrote that "I tried to sketch a little, but the sun shone so strongly that I could not do much." Perhaps whatever she did (due to the sun) wasn't worth preserving, but there's always a chance...

Thanks again Chris - as always, I appreciate the field work and thorough research!

[Thomas Cameron]

Chris,

The copies arrived safe and sound - thanks again for sending them along. I agree 100% with your previous comments - mostly outdoors stories from around Achnacarry. What amazed me was the absolute respect and love of Lochaber that this gent expressed...remarkable. We'll get these up in the Archives and let everyone share them!

[Thomas Cameron]

Chris and All,

The excerpts from Malmesbury's memoirs are now posted in the Clan Cameron Archives. They may be found under 1884 on the directory page (www.clan-cameron.org/archives.html) or directly at:

www.lochiel.net/archives/arch250.html

Thanks again to Chris for locating this tough one, and I'd like to encourage everyone to continue submitting content for shared use.