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Message Board Post:
I really don't know where to start with this. To begin with, Ewen (Eoghainn
Dubh)Cameron lived in Lochaber, he was born at Kilchurn Castle in February 1629, his
mother Margaret was a duaghter of Robert Campbell of Glenfalloch, afterwards Lord
Glenorchy. Young Ewen was raised at Letterfinlay, and succeeded to the Chiefdom at the age
of eighteen.
In 1654, when a group of 38 Camerons fell upon 150 Enlish troops (more than a match!) who
were cutting his trees without permission, Lochiel found himself fighting with an English
officer, who soon had Ewen pinned to the ground. Ewen pinned the Englishmans arms, but
when he got one free, and reached for his dagger, Ewen ripped out the Engishman's
throat with his teeth. Years later he was heard to remark "it was the sweetest bit I
ever took".
After many years of feuding with the MacIntoshes over disputed land near Loch Arkaig, Ewen
Cameron negotiated the end of the dispute with the mediation of John Campbell, younger of
Glenorchy. Lochiel paid about 4000 pounds in modern currency. Thus the dispute was
ended by treaty, not by fighting. Shortly after this transaction, Ewen built a residence
at Achnacarry (the field of the Weir) at the foot of Loch Arkaig. This residence, now
known as Old Achnacarry castle , was burned to the ground in 1746 by Cumberlands forces.
All that remains now is a stone chimney.
Ewen was knighted by a grateful Charles II for his support of the King during the Cromwell
era.
Ewen was married three times; Mary, his first wife, daughter of Sir Donald MacDonald of
Sleat, died without issue. Isobel, his second wife was the daughter of Sir Lachlan
MacLean of Duart, by Isobel he had John, Donald, Allan, Margaret, Anne, Katherine, and
Janet. Ewen's third wife was Jean, daughter of Barclay of Urie. He had by her,
Ludovick of Torcastle, Christian, Isobel, Ket, Una, Marjory, and Jean who married Lauchlan
MacPherson of Cluny.
Sir Ewen led the Camerons for the Crown at the battle of Killiecrankie. As the Cameron
men waited to charge, Ewen realized that he was the only man among them wearing shoes. So
he took them off and ran barefoot into battle with his men.
As for the rest of the post - well the Camerons and their allies were not regularly beaten
by anyone, let alone Clan Chattan, they had their losses, but they also had their
victories. Foe a good summary of Clan Cameron battles, you should check out the Clan
Cameron website.
As for the eyes, I have met the present Lochiel on several occasions, and I have a picture
of him on my wall, and I don't see or recall anything unusual about his eyes. Almond
shaped eyes are not that unusual in the Highlands, and I have seen a number of people who
have a physical resemblance to Sir Ewen Cameron (dark complexion, dark hair). There is a
portrait of Sir Ewen at the Clan Cameron museum in Achnacarry.
I am glad you are proud of your drop of Cameron blood, and wish you well in your searches.
(sources: "Bygone Lochaber" by Somerled MacMillan, and "Highlanders A
History of the Gaels" by John MacLeod)
John Cameron