Lochiel at Achnacarry with his dog, Merlin.

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Donald Cameron of Lochiel, 27th Chief of the Clan Cameron and former Lord Lieutenant of Inverness. He had been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis for some years.

Lochiel’s funeral will be at 12 noon on Friday 10th November at St Andrew’s Church, Fort William, followed by burial at Achnacarry. All enquiries to Manson & Macbeath Funeral Directors (01397 701 110). A service of thanksgiving will be held at a later date in London, probably in early 2024.

St Andrew’s Church, Fort William

His son Donald Andrew John CAMERON OF LOCHIEL now succeeds as 28th Chief of Clan Cameron and The Lochiel subject to confirmation by Lord Lyon.

Born August 2, 1946, Donald Angus Cameron was the son of Sir Donald Hamish Cameron (1910-2004) and his wife Margaret Doris Gathorne-Hardy (1913-2006).

He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders (TA) in 1966, and was later a chartered accountant.

He served as president of the Highland Society of London charity 1994-96 and in 1986, was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Inverness-shire, and later served as the Lord Lieutenant of Inverness-shire from 2002 until 2021.

In 2017, he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. He and his wife, the Lady Cecil Nennella Therese Kerr, OBE, were great friends of the King and Queen, and His Majesty stood sponsor at the christening of Cameron’s daughter, Catherine.

Upon the death of his father on May 26, 2004, he assumed the chiefship of Clan Cameron, becoming the 27th Lochiel.

They had four children, Catherine Mary, the Rt Hon Donald Cameron, MSP, who now succeeds as 28th Chief of the Clan, Lucy Margot Therese, a goddaughter of the Princess Royal, and Emily Frances (born January 18, 1986).

Speaking about his father’s passing this week, Scottish Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron said: “My whole family is devastated by the sudden death of my father last week.

“He was the most courageous and loving of men, who adored his family, friends and the wider community in Lochaber.

“As clan chief and Lord Lieutenant of Inverness, he was at the heart of life in the West Highlands and although he lived with MS for many years, he was always positive and uncomplaining.

“We will miss him greatly but are comforted by the many messages of condolence we have received from people at home and abroad.”

Donald Cameron of Lochiel, 27th Chief of Clan Cameron with son Donald and father Sir Donald Hamish Cameron of Lochiel, 26th Chief of Clan Cameron.

Join your fellow Clan members for a fun night of dancing, singing and good  company.

Featuring The Ukelele Scotsman,Graeme McColgan.

Dinner & drinks available at the Club (not included).
Tickets: $30 per person

Friday November 17th at 6.30pm
The Roseville Club, 64 Pacific HighwayRoseville NSW

To Book: Clan Cameron and Clan MacLennan Ceilidh

Sunday 6th August 2023 saw members of National Clan Cameron Australia Inc. celebrate the re-formation of Clan Cameron NSW  40 years ago under the leadership and direction of Dr Bob and Bet Cameron on 10 April 1983.

The inaugural executive committee consisted of Dr Bob Cameron (P), Muriel Johnson (VP), Ted Cameron (Sec.) and Valda Wood (Treas.).  Among the very active early members were Beth Crawford and Sue Catterall, both of whom joined us on trhe day and can be seen below cutting the anniversary cake.

We were also blessed with the presence of four new or rejoining Clan Cameron members on the day.

NCCA members assembled on the verandah of the Breakfast Point Country Club

Beth Crawford and Sue Catterall cutting the 40th Anniversary Cake

President Alistair Cameron presented attendees with the 40th Anniversary National Clan Cameron Australia Inc. publication which is available on the NCCA members’ section of the website.

President Alistair Cameron welcomed new members to the association.

This great summary of what has happened to the Highlands and Islands after Culloden was written by Chris Grant, who has just written a book about Culloden and its aftermath, with particular reference to the Grants of Glenurquhart and Glenmoriston, and their Clansmen and women.

“The harsh treatment of the Highlanders and their families after Culloden merely served as a starting pistol to what we would call today cultural genocide. What followed in the pacification of the Highlands was successive Acts of Parliament, which would in effect implement policies which sought to gradually, but systematically, dismantle all the cornerstones of Highland Gaelic culture.

 These acts would in time not only change the clothing, culture and way of life in the Highlands, but by the ending of Heritable Jurisdiction, fundamentally change the very structure of their society, and this in turn greatly contributed to the later Highland Clearances, which were also encouraged. The majority of ordinary people saw that they had no economic future in light of how they were being expected to live.

 The policies which were rolled out over a protracted period even sought the very eradication of the language of the people. These policies contributed greatly to emptying the Glens of people throughout the Highlands and Islands, and set the scene for what we see today, where once thriving communities on many a Highland hillside and in the lower glens, now hold nothing but the vegetation-covered skeletons of the former homes of those people.

Areas which once thrived with population are now eerily empty and largely devoid of life and people, in what were acts of vindictive cultural vandalism that the Highlands has never recovered from and which it is so much the poorer for in our modern age, where little but tourism and wealthy landowners coexist over huge swathes of a picturesque but sadly empty land.

They created a desert largely devoid of people and life and called it peace, which is quite an apt way of portraying the Highlands of Scotland in our modern era.”

Thanks to: Dot MacKenzie GSDC. Group To Stop Development At Culloden.

National Clan Cameron Australia members can log-on to the Members’ Page, or via the link below, to see two short but interesting videos of the above as posted by VisitScotland.

A Brief History of Tartan and the Glencoe Massacre

Clan Cameron was again well represented at this year’s Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival.

Thanks to the efforts of local Maree Camerons, most notably Heather and Murray Oldham, we all enjoyed a wonderful day meeting and enjoying the company of fellow Camerons together with our fellow Scots in a country setting with the day’s activities emphasising fun and Scottish camaraderie.

Clan Cameron members assembled at the Clan Cameron tent

The Drum Major leading the Pipes and Drums and the Scottish Clans, with C hief of the Day, Ray Robertson (Clan Donnachaidh)

Clan Cameron marching, with Banner Bearer George Hoad.

Massed Pipes and Drums

The Highland Rose – Jacobite Living History Group

Lad’s Light Caber Toss

Wee Bairns’ and Lads’ and Lassies’ kilted dash

Lads’ and Lassies’ Tug-o-War

Best Dressed Dog with Scottish Theme

All in attendance enjoyed a wonderful day.

Members of National Clan Cameron Australia enjoyed celebrating the Year of Scotland, along with their fellow Scots at Glen Innes on the weekend of 6-7 May.

Brisk weather and breezes added atmosphere to a splendid day, with sunshine aplenty.

We welcomed three new members to the association and we look forward to seeing them again at one of our functions or one the many gatherings held throughout the year.

It was also wonderful to meet with President, Clan Cameron Auckland, Rob Cameron and three of his fellow NZ Clan Celtica band members, who had a number of number rousing performances throughout the weekend. Rob also brought across some wonderful Clan Cameron Badges which will soon be available for NCCA members, by way of donation, which will be featured on this website. We have a limited number, with 10 being sold to association members on the weekend already.

The day commenced with the Street Parade consisting and Celtic Clans and Pipes and Drums marching up and down the full length of the city centre, with a large crowd attending and applauding strongly.

The two days of festival events featured a great variety of activities, including Highland Dancing, a super Cèilidh held Friday evening, Pipes and Drums, musicians, strongmen and wrestling and more.

There were many merchandise stalls selling a variety of wares together with ample food and drink outlets.

Thank you to John and Lynne Cameron, Qld, for setting-up the Clan Cameron tent for the weekend, as they have done for a number of years, but are now not in a position to continue to do so.  Should anyone be in a position to take the Cameron tent to Glen Innes on future occasions please contact secretary Terry Cameron.

NCCA members marching in the Street Parade

Ian Mossom Cameron, in fine regalia, with Chris and John

Angus Cameron with Chris and John

Clan Cameron Auckland President, Rob Cameron with John and Chris

Clan Celtica, NZ, with President, Clan Cameron Auckland , Rob Cameron on the pipes.

Highland Dancers competing in the Australian Celtic Dance Championships

The Massed Pipe Bands performing.

Tossing the caber.

And it’s over!