Chiefs of Clan Cameron explained

The following is a list of the Chiefs of Clan Cameron, the senior line of the ancient Cameron clan. The chief is seated at Achnacarry Castle and uniquely referred to as the Lochiel (Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic: Loch Iall).[1]

No.NameDiedDetails
VIISir John CameronSaid to have led the clan at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.[2]
VIIIJohn Ochtery CameronSaid to have led the clan at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333.[3]
IXAllan MacOchtery CameronSon of VIII.
XEwen MacAllan CameronSon of IX; died without issue.
XI Donald Dubh CameronSon of IX. Fought at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. All subsequent chiefs were known as Mac Dhomhnaill Dubh.
XIIAllan MacIldny Cameron1480Son of XI. Killed in battle in 1480 fighting the Mackintoshes.[4]
XIIIEwen Mor Cameron of Lochiel1547Son of XII. Famed for interactions with the witch Gormla of Moy, he was executed for treason in 1547.
XIVEwen Beag Cameron of Lochiel1554Grandson of XIII. Descendants of Beag's illegitimate son Dubh Taillear became the Taylor sept.
XVDonald Dubh MacDonald Cameron of Lochiel1565Younger brother of XIV. Fought at the Battle of Corrichie in 1562 in support of Mary, Queen of Scots.
XVIAllan Cameron of Lochiel1647Son of XV's younger brother.
XVII1719Grandson of XVI. Most famous chief in clan history, known as Ewen Dubh, said to have killed the last wolf in Scotland and led the Jacobites at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689.
XVIII John Cameron, Lord Lochiel1747Son of XVII. Created Lord Lochiel in Jacobite peerage, died in exile in France.
XIXDonald Cameron of Lochiel1748Son of XVIII. Known as the Gentle Lochiel, led the clan at the Battle of Culloden and escaped to France with Bonnie Prince Charlie. His brother Dr Archie Cameron was hanged, drawn and beheaded in 1753, the last Jacobite to be executed.
XXJohn Cameron, 20th Lochiel1762Son of XIX.
XXICharles Cameron, 21st Lochiel1776Younger son of XIX.
XXII1832Son of XXI.[5] In 1784 Cameron estates were restored; married Hon. Anne Abercromby, daughter of Sir Ralph Abercromby.
XXIIIDonald Cameron, 23rd Lochiel1858Son of XXII. Fought with distinction at the Battle of Waterloo; married Lady Vere Hobart, sister of the Earl of Buckinghamshire and a scion of the Camerons of Glendessary.
XXIVDonald Cameron, 24th Lochiel1905Son of XXIII. Diplomat, MP and groom-in-waiting to Queen Victoria; married Lady Margaret Scott, daughter of Duke of Buccleuch.
XXVSir Donald Walter Cameron KT, 25th Lochiel1951Son of XXIV. Colonel of Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, fought in the Second Boer War and World War I; married Lady Hermione Graham, daughter of Duke of Montrose.
XXVISir Donald Hamish Cameron KT, 26th Lochiel2004[6] Son of XXV. Fought in the Italian campaign of World War II with Lovat Scouts; married Margot Gathorne-Hardy, niece of the Earl of Cranbrook.
XXVIIDonald Angus Cameron, 27th Lochiel2023Son of XXVI.[7] Former Lord Lieutenant of Inverness. Married Lady Cecil Kerr, daughter of the Marquess of Lothian, in 1974.
XXVIIIDonald Andrew John Cameron, Baron Cameron of Lochiel, 28th LochielSon of XXVII. The current chief of Clan Cameron. A Scottish Conservative Party politician, who was a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Highlands and Islands region between 2016 and 2024, before being appointed to the House of Lords. Married to Sarah MacIay, niece of Lord MacIay.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.lochiel.net/archives/arch248.html www.lochiel.net
  2. Web site: The Battle of Bannockburn.
  3. Web site: The Battle of Harlaw.
  4. Stewart, John of Ardvorlich. (1974). The Camerons, A History of Clan Cameron. Published by the Clan Camero.n Association.
  5. Web site: The Chiefs of Clan Cameron.
  6. Web site: The Chiefs of Clan Cameron.
  7. http://www.burkespeerage.com/ Burke's Peerage & Baronetage (2003)