04/11/2026
Donald Walter Cameron of Lochiel was born 150 years ago today. He became the 25th Chief of Clan Cameron in 1905. At the outbreak of he was asked to raise a new battalion of Cameron Highlanders, but such was the response, he managed to raise four. He went with the 5th Battalion to France and led the attack at the Battle of Loos in 1915 during which his brother, Allan Cameron, was killed (another brother, Archibald, was killed in 1917). After the battle, he was invalided home but resumed command of the 3rd Battalion in January 1918.
In 1938 he hosted the first International Gathering of Clan at Achnacarry. During he commanded the Home Guard in Inverness-shire and vacated Achnacarry, handing it over to the military. Around 25,000 Allied soldiers received Commando training there. He died in 1951 and is buried at Achnacarry.
[photo: Andrew Paterson, source: Lochaber Archive Centre]
