Alan Cameron was born in Erracht in Lochaber in 1753. His father, Donald Cameron of Erracht, fought with the Jacobites during the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion, and went on the run for three years before returning to his home. As a young man, Alan Cameron went to fight in the American Colonies against the rebels during the War of Independence and was a Prisoner of War in Pennsylvania for two years.

Sir Alan raised the 79th Cameron Highlanders at his own expense in 1793. He raised a second battalion in 1798 after the original battalion was renumbered and many of the soldiers sent to the Black Watch (42nd of Foot). Having fought in many engagements during the Peninsula War under Wellington, he retired as a Lieutenant General. Alan Cameron was famous for being outspoken, particularly with regards to the wearing of the kilt by Highland Regiments (the wearing of which was banned for 35 years following the Jacobite defeat in 1746).

His mother (whose own father, a MacLean, had died at Culloden) designed the regimental tartan which is the only tartan in the British Army that does not have Government (Black Watch) tartan as a backing. The 79th were also the only regiment raised by someone who was not a Clan Chief (the Chief of the Camerons was Lochiel not Erracht). Alan Cameron died in London in 1828 aged 75.

Research by David Terron

This ornamental, double-barrelled Highland pistol belonged to Lieutenant General Sir Alan Cameron of Erracht. Currently on display in the Cameron Room of The Highlanders’ Museum, the pistol is inlaid with gold and silver in highly decorative designs. This pistol would have been worn as part of Cameron’s civilian dress.