Hi gang!
On the 22 of August I called Lochiel (Clan Cameron's
Chief) via telephone at the castle. We had
corresponded some weeks before and he advised me that
there was going to be a "doo" at the castle and a
Dance Party at that time. Many, including family
members, were coming to Achnacrry for the party so his
time would be limited. He advised me to call the day
before we came up which I did. We agreed to meet at the
Museum at 2:30 PM the next day. Needless to say I was
very excited about this. Jim Whittum, my companion,
was to accompany me. I had not seen Lochiel or Lady
Margaret since 1992 when Clan Cameron at Orlando
sponsored Lochiel, Lady Margaret and their daughter,
Lady Ann's trip here to Florida. So I was most anxious
to see him again. I had heard so much about the Museum
and how it has, indeed, grown in the past few years.
The next day was clear, sunny and cool. We stopped at
Inverlochy Castle first. This is a huge, crumbling
structure, a veritable fortress in it's day. We
discovered that it was being restored. There was a
great deal of scaffolding on the right as we entered
the main gate. It is in a very pretty spot,
strategically advantageous. It sits on the riverbank
of the Lochy river. Anyone who wishes to enter the
Great Glen has to pass right by it! The Camerons
never occupied it. It was owned and occupied by the
Comyns who were forced to flee from Robert the Bruce
in the beginning of the 14th century. An amazing
amount of the original structure is still standing!
There is a little town square close to the castle
(equally amazing is my intuitive ability to sniff out
places to shop) where I found a little antique store.
Most of the inventory was just used, but I spotted a
lovely ring of small sapphires and diamonds. The shop
was not well lit and somewhat dusty. But, oh, how
those little diamonds shone and twinkled. The
shopkeeper quoted a price I could scarce believe...I
bought it paying only 2/3rds of the price I would have
to pay in the US for the same thing. And yes, it was
very old. I was delighted!
The drive to Achnacarry is a single track much of the
way, past a small bridge over the barge canal then
suddenly there are trees! Large trees! Deciduous
trees! Birch trees! The end of the road is gated with
the wrought iron archway we donated to Lochiel when he
came to visit us here as our guest for the Orlando
Games in Florida in 1992. To the right of the road is
a small stream that empties into Loch Lochy. All at
once it seemed we were on a road that led to a charming
little post office and the Postmaster's home to the
right and the Museum on the left. Dead ahead there are
more huge old trees, the stables and the byre.
Regretfully the roof of the stables has "sick" nails
holding the slate roof together. Some of the roof is
beginning to collapse
The only structure left of the old castle is the stone
fireplace which has a huge tree growing out of it. The
building was made of wood which was burned down by the
English in 1746.
Off to the right was the road to Achnacarry framed by
the birch trees Donald of Locheil, the "Gentle
Locheil", planted so hurriedly in 1745 when he was
called out to serve the Bonnie Prince Charlie. He
intended to move the trees when he returned. Of
course, he did not return and the trees remain still
growing where he left them.
We arrived back at the Museum for our appointed meeting
with Lochiel who arrived promptly at 2:30 PM as we
agreed. He had walked down the road from Achnacarry to
the Museum. He removed an old straw hat he was wearing.
He was smiling broadly as he held out his hand to greet
Jim and I. He looked so hail and hearty, ruddy
complected, his eyes a shining blue. We sat a a round
table to the left of the little gift hop where a LARGE
scrapbook lay. We went through some of the pictures
together and I saw so many of my friends from back
here that were taken at various games in the southeast
of the US. My goodness it was a HUGE book and the
pictures were endless...from New Zealand to California
to Florida..all points east, west, north and
south..Camerons and their septs from all over the
world. I was much impressed as he was, too. I intend
to send more pictures as I travel the games here. He
was obviously, utterly delighted to be the possesser
of such a book. I don't know who was responsible for
putting it all together, but whoever it is they've done
a smahing job of it! This room is set aside as a
library with books on shelves all about the room that
anyone is invited to browse and read to their heart's
content. He continued to inquire by name about all the
people he knew I was associated with here in Florida,
interested in every scap of news I could give him.
After 20 minutes or so he rose to excuse
himself...seems he was in the midst of celebrating his
60th wedding anniversary (we noticed the Dance Tent set
up on the enormous lawn in front of Achnacarry) to Lady
Margaret. He said all the family was arriving
momentarily and he had to go.
Seems there is a celebration every year, but this one
seemed rather special. So it would appear that if you
would like to spend a bit more time at Achnacary, 'tis
best to call up after the last week in August. It is
further planned that we will be having a "doo" in 2001
when all the Clan from all over the world will be
invited to gather at Achnacarry for a celebration that
is executed every 5 years! We are delaying one extra
year this time because of the millenium turn. I
believe for that event Lochiel will be a young 91 years
old!
The weekend will include a tour of the Estate, a
march-past of Clansmen and Clanswomen, a Ceilidh on
Saturday evening, and a church service and a shinty
match on Sunday, along with a variety of demonstrations
and special events. Donald, the Younger will handle
the arrangements for the Gathering, the first since
1995.
The Museum is so neat, so clean and well done it fairly
squeeks. To the right of the gift shop is the turn to
the main body of the museum. There is an old kilt in a
glass case that is tattered and torn. It is a dark
version of Cameron of Erracht, the regimental tartan
that was worn in battle in war torn Europe. There was
so much to see and read on the walls of the museum.
There was a fine display of weapons and all sorts of
artifacts too numerous to list. But the one case that
caught my eye towards the back was the one containing
little 6 yr. old Catherine's dress arranged on a dress
form. She wore the dress in 1981 at Princess Diana
and Prince Charles' wedding. There were pictures of
the entire wedding party. Catherine was in attendance
as bride's maid. I believe Catherine is Donald Angus,
the Younger's, daughter. Didn't know we were so well
connected, did you? Neither did I!
The case also contained her little shoes, satin covered
hanger for her dress, flower basket, hankie, flowered
crown, all perfectly preserved! I was very impressed.
No photographs are allowed to be taken inside the
museum.
Afterward we wandered about the beautiful grounds
taking as many pictures as we could. Towrds the back
of the property is the River Archaig that empties into
Loch Lochy. The gardener told us there was great
fishing at that river. What a place to grow up!
I really didn't want to leave, but finally it was time
to go as the day began to fade. It was back to Ft.
William and a little nightclub called MacTavish's for
dinner and a show. That was QUITE an evening. I'm
saving that one for the #5 installment.
Yours aye,
Marlene Cameron