Ewen Cameron of Lochiel

Ewen Cameron of Lochiel was born in 1629 at Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, the eldest son of John Cameron (died 1635, imprisoned at Edinburgh) and Margaret Campbell, daughter of Sir Robert Campbell, 3rd Baronet of Glenorchy.[4] He was the grandson of Allan Cameron of Lochiel, 16th Chief (c. 1567 – 1647), a seer who had fought with Lord Montrose, and was present at the Battle of Inverlochy in 1645.

His father having predeceased him, Lochiel was initially raised by a foster father and his Cameron uncle, but then spent much of his youth under the guardianship of the 1st Marquess of Argyll at Inveraray. In 1647, he succeeded his grandfather as the chief of the Camerons, being one of the most important Highland clans.[6]

Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat claimed that Lochiel bore a striking resemblance to Louis XIV of France, stating that "the resemblance was nearer than commonly that between two brothers; with this difference, that Sir Ewen was of a darker complexion, more brawny, and of a larger size". He was described by James Philip as having "Spanish countenance", with "flashing eyes and a moustache curled as the moon horns". He was often known by the Gaelic name Eòghain Dubh ('Black Ewan').[10][11]

The Marquis of Montrose by Willem van Honthorst

The Camerons were always strong supporters of the Royal Stuarts and despite being under the control of Argyll, Lochiel developed Cavalier sympathies after meeting with Robert Spottiswood, and upon witnessing the brutal execution of royalist prisoners. Lochiel, like many others, was also greatly inspired by James Graham, Marquis of Montrose.[4] When Lochiel became chief he joined William Cunningham, 9th Earl of Glencairn in the Royalist rising of 1651 to 1654. He fought at the Battle of Tullich in 1652, holding the pass against the forces of Robert Lilburne. He was commended by King Charles personally for his actions at Tullich and hailed as the "Deliverer of the Highland army".[4] Lochiel also won several skirmishes during this period as well, gaining notoriety for harassing the Parliamentarian army led by George Monck in a form of guerrilla warfare across the Scottish Highlands.[2]

Tullich Hill where Lochiel bravely held the pass, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy

A famous fight between Lochiel and a roundhead occurred during this period. He had encountered a group of English soldiers gathering firewood by Loch Eil, deep into Cameron territory, and in the ensuing fight Lochiel grappled with an English officer who threw him onto his back, pinned to the ground and defenceless before he managed to catch the Englishman’s throat in his teeth, not letting go until he had torn out his windpipe for the 'sweetest bite ever he had'.[10][12]

Previously based at Tor Castle, Lochiel built a new seat at Achnacarry Castle in 1655, to keep his men further away from the government troops. It was only upon the death of Oliver Cromwell in 1658 that he did submit to general Monck and was received for his chivalrous conduct during the Civil War. Soon after he accompanied Monck to London where the General called a meeting of Parliament to discuss the new status quo. After lengthy discussion and debate it was decided that the King would be invited back from exile and that the Royal House of Stuart would be restored to the throne after a Republican Interregnum of 12 years. For his loyal service during the Civil War, Lochiel was received warmly by King Charles II and later returned to Lochaber for a period of peace.

Loch Arkaig, Lochaber

The old church at Achnacarry

On 20 September 1665, Lochiel ended the 360-year feud with Clan Mackintosh after the stand-off at the Fords of Arkaig near Achnacarry.[13] From that point, Ewen Cameron was responsible for keeping the peace between his clansmen and their former enemies. However in 1668, whilst he was away at the Royal court, a feud broke out between Clan Donald and hostile elements of Clan MacIntosh, who headed the confederation of clans known as Clan Chattan. Lochiel’s clansmen made a significant contribution to the MacDonald victory against the Mackintosh’ at the Battle of Maol Ruadh (Mulroy), often considered to be the last clan battle.[14]

James VII and II

Lochiel's famous exploits were recited by his Gaelic bards at his new seat of Achnacarry. One such bard described Achnacarry as "the generous house of feasting, pillared hall of princes, where wine goes round freely in gleaming glasses, music resounding under its rafters".[4] From the late 1660s, Lochiel served at the hedonistic court of King Charles and was received well, if perhaps somewhat suspiciously at Whitehall. During this period, he became an acquaintance and friend of James, Duke of York (later James VII and II).[15]

In 1681, Lochiel was knighted by the Duke of York. According to Balhaldie, after complimenting him on the successful outcome of his feud with the Mackintosh, he asked for Lochiel's sword, and attempted to draw it unsuccessfully, the Duke, after a second attempt, gave it back to Lochiel and said "that his sword never used to be so uneasy to draw when the crown wanted his services". Lochiel unsheathed the sword and offered it to the Duke who thereupon knighted him.[16][10]

Mary of Modena, second wife of James VII and II; their wedding ring was later gifted to the Lochiel

The Glorious Revolution was a disaster for Lochiel and the Camerons. In 1688, the Stuart King James VII and II was overthrown by William of Orange (In 1714 the Stuarts were then replaced by the Hanoverians). Lochiel, as a fervent Stuart loyalist, became one of the principal commanders in the Jacobite rising of 1689 having managed to rally a confederation of clans loyal to James.

Lochiel's charge at Killycrankie by James Grant

He fought with John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee at the Battle of Killiecrankie – a stunning victory marred by Claverhouse’s death. After this the Jacobite rebellion soon collapsed because of arguments among the remaining leaders, largely due to the inept leadership of Alexander Cannon. By this time Sir Ewen, nearly sixty years old, had started to give his son John Cameron, Master of Lochiel, greater responsibilities. He felt he was now too old to be able to participate physically in military action, and thus, designated his son and successor John to lead the clan for the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1719.

In 1717, John Cameron was made the 1st Lord Lochiel in the Jacobite peerage by Prince James as recognition of Cameron loyalty to the Jacobite cause.[16]

Sir Ewen married three times and had sixteen children.[17] His first wife was Mary Macdonald (died 1657) and without issue. His second wife was Isobel Maclean, daughter of Sir Lachlan Maclean, 1st Baronet of Duart. His final wife was Jean Barclay, Franco-Scottish daughter of David Barclay and Katherine Petau de Maulette.[18][4]

Issue with Isobel Maclean:

• John Cameron, 1st Lord Lochiel (1663–1747), succeeded as chief and was the father of Donald Cameron of Lochiel otherwise known as the Gentle Lochiel, who played an important role in the 1745 Jacobite rising[15]
• Major Donald Cameron of Clunes (died 1719), officer of the Dutch service who fought against his father at Killiecrankie
• Allan Cameron (died 1730), a Jacobite agent and courtier, married Isobel Fraser, daughter of Lord Lovat, and died in Rome
• Margaret Cameron, married Alexander MacGregor Drummond of Balhaldie, ephemeral chief of Clan Gregor
• Anne Cameron, married Allan Maclean, 10th of Ardgour
• Catherine Cameron, married William MacDonald of Boronaskittoch
• Janet Cameron, married John Grant of Glenmoriston

Issue with Jean Barclay:[4]

• James Cameron, died young
• Ludovic Cameron of Torcastle (died 1753), a Jacobite officer who fought alongside his nephew during the 1745 rising
• Christian Cameron, married Allan Cameron of Glendessary, mother of famed Jenny Cameron of Glendessary
• Jean Cameron, married Lachlan MacPherson, Chief of Clan MacPherson, and father of Cluny MacPherson
• Isobel Cameron, married Archibald Cameron of Dungallon
• Lucia Cameron, married Patrick Campbell of Barcaldine
• Ket Cameron, married to John Campbell of Achalader
• Una Cameron, married her cousin Robert Barclay of Ury (1732–1797)[19]
• Marjory Cameron, married Allan MacDonald of Morar

Sir Ewen died of natural causes in 1719 at the age of ninety. He was buried with great ceremony at an ancient burial ground on the shores of Loch Eil. It was reported that thousands of Gaels and thirteen pipers gathered to his funeral.[20]

• The Lady of the Lake (canto v.), by Sir Walter Scott models the legendary fight of Lochiel and the roundhead for the fight scene between Roderick Dubh and FitzJames.
• Tales of a Grandfather, by Sir Walter Scott reproduced the apparent senility of Lochiel who "outlived himself, becoming a second child and even rocked in a cradle" according to Thomas Pennant, juxtaposing this state with the great warrior of his youth.[15]
• The Grameid, an epic poem in Latin on the Claverhouse campaign of 1689 features Lochiel, written by James Philip of Almerieclos.
• The Jacobite Trilogy, a series of historical novels by D.K. Broster which focuses on the Cameron role in the 1745 rising.

• Clan Cameron
• Jacobitism
• Gormshuil Mhòr na Maighe
• Battle of Killiecrankie

• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Cameron of Lochiel, Sir Ewen". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• MacKenzie, Alexander (2008). "The History of the Camerons". The Celtic Magazine. Vol. 9, no. 97. ISBN 978-0-559-79382-0. Modern reprint of November 1883 article with a detailed account of Sir Ewen's life from 1654 to 1665.
• Henderson, Thomas Finlayson (1886). "Cameron, Ewen" . In Stephen, Leslie (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 8. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
• Furgol, Edward M. "Cameron, Sir Ewen, of Lochiel (1629–1719)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/4440. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

• Memoirs of Sir Ewen Cameron of Locheill, by John Drummond of Balhaldie (Bannatyne Club, 1842)

• www.jacobitestudiestrust.org