Donald Dubh Cameron (fl. 1411) was the ancestor and first authentic chief of Clan Cameron.[1] Traditionally, it is held that the Camerons are of ancient Celtic origin and descend Banquo, Thane of Lochaber (fl. 11th century), while other legends include descent from a Danish prince.[2]

Donald Dubh was the son of Allan MacOchtery Cameron, 9th Chief and succeeded his brother Ewen, 10th Chief. His immediate ancestor, Sir John de Cameron was known to have supported Robert the Bruce during the Scottish Wars of Independence. He himself fought at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411, and began the infamous feud with the Clan Mackintosh. In 1426, he had a charter from King James I of the lands of Barches acquired through his grandfather's marriage with Elaine Mowat.

In 1429 at the Battle of Lochaber, fought between King James' forces and Alexander, Lord of the Isles, the Camerons of Lochiel adhered to the Lord of the Isles, while the MacMartin Camerons did not. After the battle was resolved the MacMartins were “furiously” attacked and their leader driven into exile in Ireland, while his followers sought refuge in the more mountainous parts of Cameron country. The MacMartins were afterwards unable to assume their former position at the head of their house and the Camerons of Lochiel, the oldest cadet branch of the family, assumed chiefship with the title of Captain. The leader who is said to have first taken up this distinguished position was the renowned Donald Dubh, who maintained this position of preeminence by marrying the daughter and heiress of the chief of the MacMartins, thereby adding the MacMartin followers to Clan Cameron.

He was said to have been a great warrior, the most dominant warlord in Lochaber. All subsequent Cameron chiefs bear the Gaelic patronymic Mac Dhòmhnaill Dubh.[3][4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "A History of Clan Cameron". www.clan-cameron.org. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  2. ↑ Way, George of Plean; Squire, Romilly of Rubislaw (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. Glasgow: HarperCollins (for the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 88–89. ISBN 0-00-470547-5.
  3. ↑ Sinclair, A. Maclean (1908). "The Clan Cameron". The Celtic Review. 5 (17): 70–79. doi:10.2307/30069983. ISSN 1755-6066.
  4. ↑ Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Iain (1982). The Highland Clans : the dynastic origins, chiefs and background of the clans and of some other families connected with Highland history. Internet Archive. New York, N.Y. : C.N. Potter : Distributed by Crown. ISBN 978-0-517-54659-8.
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