Achnacarry () is a hamlet, private estate, and a castle in the Lochaber region of the Highlands, Scotland. It occupies a strategic position on an isthmus between Loch Lochy to the east, and Loch Arkaig to the west.

Achnacarry has a long association with Clan Cameron: Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel built the original castle in 1655. This was destroyed by government troops led by the Duke of Cumberland after the Battle of Culloden. However, "New Achnacarry" was built near the same site in Scottish Baronial style in 1802. In the Second World War, it housed the Commando Basic Training Centre and the area retains close ties to British Commandos, the United States Army Rangers and similar units from other allied nations. In 1928 the Achnacarry Agreement was signed, an early attempt to set petroleum production quotas.

Geography

Achnacarry is not far from the village of Spean Bridge and about north of the town of Fort William. It was described by Queen Victoria as follows:

Between Achnacarry Castle and Loch Arkaig is a path of interwoven trees known as The Dark Mile, or Mìle Dorcha in Gaelic.

History

Original castle

Ewen "Eoghainn MacAilein" Cameron, XIII Chief of Clan Cameron, enlarged the highly disputed Tor Castle (said to have been on Clan Mackintosh lands) in the early 16th century. Tor Castle would remain the seat of the Camerons of Lochiel until demolished by his great-great-great-grandson, Sir Ewen "Dubh" Cameron, XVII Chief.

Sir Ewen Cameron wanted a "more convenient" house, which was further removed from the Clan Mackintosh, Clan Campbell, and Oliver Cromwell's garrison at Inverlochy Castle. Around 1655, he built Achnacarry Castle in a strategic position on the isthmus between Loch Lochy and Loch Arkaig. One of the few remaining descriptions relates that Lochiel's seat was: "...a large house, all built of fir planks, the handsomest of that kind in Britain." Around 1663, Sir Ewen's bard described the home in song as: "The generous house of feasting...Pillared hall of princes...Where wine goes round freely in gleaming glasses...Music resounding under its rafters." Others portrayed "old" Achnacarry as a "man's home", with the feel and look of a grand hunting lodge amidst the West Highlands. <!-- Appears to be part of a series of articles that would provide references for a lot of Cameron history, and the probable source of a lot of what appears on the Cameron websites -->

With Sir Ewen's death in the early 18th century, his son John Cameron became Clan Chief, soon after which his son, Donald would assume Achnacarry when Lord Lochiel (as his father was known) fled into exile in Flanders after the first Jacobite Uprising.

In 1928, Achnacarry served as the meeting place for global petroleum producers in an effort to set production quotas. A document known as the Achnacarry Agreement or "As-Is" Agreement was signed on 17 September 1928.

Second World War

The current building and the surrounding estate gained fame as the Commando Training Depot for the Allied Forces from March 1942 to 1945.

British Commandos, United States Army Rangers, and commandos from France, the Netherlands, Norway, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Belgium trained there. Each training course culminated in an "opposed landing" exercise around the area of nearby Bunarkaig on Loch Lochy. As live ammunition was used, some casualties resulted from the training exercises at Achnacarry. Some 25,000 commandos completed training at the centre during the four years it was in use.

The castle also suffered some damage due to fire. Several military associations still sponsor a Commando march either annually or from time to time. Generally, it is a timed march, in full battle gear, backpack, and combat boots, from Spean Bridge (site of the striking Commando Memorial) to Achnacarry.

Post Second World War

In August 2001, Achnacarry served as the site of the International Gathering of Clan Cameron, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Colonel Sir Donald Hamish Cameron of Lochiel, K.T., XXVI Chief of Clan Cameron. It also hosted the International Gathering of Clan Cameron in the summer of 2009.

Although the castle itself is in private hands and is not open to the public, the commando memorial can be visited.

Clan Cameron Museum

<!-- The Clan Cameron Museum redirect points at the section header above -->

thumb|The Clan Cameron Museum at Achnacarry

A Clan Cameron Museum is about from the castle. The current Chief of Clan Cameron, traditionally known simply as "Lochiel", Donald Cameron of Lochiel, continues to live in Achnacarry. Displays in the museum include the clan's legends, chiefs, slogans, history, clan lands in Lochaber, and notable clansmen. Other exhibits include artefacts associated with the castle and estate's history, with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, and with "Bonnie Prince Charlie".

See also

  • Chiefs of Clan Cameron
  • Rutherford House, home of the first Premier of Alberta, Alexander Cameron Rutherford, from 1911 to 1941, which was originally called Achnacarry in honour of his family roots.
  • Anglo-American Petroleum Agreement – a 1944 attempt to control petroleum production

References

  • Detailed information and photographs
  • Clan Cameron Museum
  • Spean Bridge Commando Memorial - Area of Remembrance
  • www.outwardbound.org.uk