Donald Cameron of Lochiel

Donald Cameron of Lochiel, (5 April 1835 – 30 November 1905) was a Scottish landowner, Conservative Member of Parliament and diplomat. He was the 24th Chief of Clan Cameron.

Early life Lochiel was the eldest son of Donald Cameron of Lochiel and Lady Vere Catherine Louisa Hobart (1803–1888), of Hampden House, Buckinghamshire. His mother, a sister of the 5th Earl of Buckinghamshire, was daughter of The Hon. George Vere Hobart by his second wife Janet Maclean – a scion of the Camerons of Glendessary. Lochaber joyously celebrated the birth of Lochiel's heir during the spring of 1835, with commemorative dinners held by Camerons and the lighting of bonfires on Ben Nevis.

He was educated at Harrow, and shortly thereafter entered into the Diplomatic service. In 1857, he was appointed First Attaché of the Earl of Elgin's special embassy to China and Japan during the Second Opium War. He was a Justice of the peace and Deputy lieutenant for Inverness-shire and Buckinghamshire, respectively. From 1887, he held the office of Lord Lieutenant of Inverness-shire. From 1874 to 1880, Lochiel served as groom-in-waiting to Queen Victoria,

Lochiel owned 125,000 acres, with 110,000 in Inverness-shire, 16,000 in Argyll and 400 in Buckinghamshire.

Marriage and children In 1875, Lochiel married Lady Margaret Elizabeth Montagu Douglas Scott (1846–1918), the second daughter of Walter Montagu Douglas Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and sister of the 1st Baron Montagu of Beaulieu. They had four sons:

Col. Sir Donald Walter Cameron, 25th Lochiel, (1876–1951), commanding officer of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders who succeeded as Chief; married Lady Hermione Graham, daughter of the 5th Duke of Montrose. Maj. Ewen Charles Cameron (1878–1958), officer of the Lovat Scouts. Capt. Allan George Cameron (1880–1914), killed near Aisne during World War I. Archibald Cameron (1886–1917), killed at the Battle of Arras during World War I.

Commemoration

Lochiel is commemorated with a statue in Fort William on the Parade, erected circa 1905. He is depicted in full Highland regalia with an inscription in Scottish Gaelic which reads: Dòmhnall Camshron mac Dhòmhnaill Dubh. The statue serves as tribute to a Highland gentleman who faithfully served both Lochaber and his clan during his lifetime.