Achnacarry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Achnacarry
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 Achnacarry Castle |
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 Achnacarry
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| OS grid reference | NN176877 |
| Council area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SPEAN BRIDGE |
| Postcode district | PH34 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament | |
Achnacarry (Scottish Gaelic: Achadh na Cairidh) is a small village, a private estate, and a castle in the beautiful Lochaber region of the Highlands, Scotland. It sits in a special spot between two lochs (lakes): Loch Lochy to the east and Loch Arkaig to the west. This location made it very important for travel and defense.
Achnacarry has a long history with Clan Cameron, a famous Scottish clan. Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel built the first castle here in 1655. Sadly, this castle was destroyed by government troops after the Battle of Culloden. However, a "New Achnacarry" was built nearby in 1802. During the Second World War, Achnacarry became a secret training center for special soldiers called Commandos. The area still has strong ties to these brave British Commandos, United States Army Rangers, and similar units from other allied countries. In 1928, an important agreement called the Achnacarry Agreement was signed here. It was an early attempt to control how much oil was produced around the world.
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Exploring Achnacarry's Geography
Achnacarry is not far from the village of Spean Bridge. It is about 15 miles (24 km) north of Fort William. Even Queen Victoria described the beauty of Achnacarry during her visit in 1873:
"As you get closer to Achnacarry, which is a bit low but has amazing trees, the thick, wild woods with rugged hills behind them become more and more beautiful. This continues until you reach Loch Arkaig, which is only about 0.5 miles (800 m) from the house. This loch is very lovely, reminding me of Loch Katrine. Especially where there is a small pier, we got on a tiny but nice steamship that belongs to Cameron of Lochiel."
Between Achnacarry Castle and Loch Arkaig, there is a path surrounded by trees that grow together. This path is known as The Dark Mile, or Mìle Dorcha in Gaelic.
A Glimpse into Achnacarry's Past
The Original Achnacarry Castle
In the early 1500s, Ewen "Eoghainn MacAilein" Cameron, the 13th Chief of Clan Cameron, made Tor Castle bigger. Tor Castle was the home of the Camerons of Lochiel for many years. But Sir Ewen "Dubh" Cameron, the 17th Chief, decided to tear it down.
Sir Ewen wanted a "more convenient" home. He also wanted it further away from rival clans like Clan Mackintosh and Clan Campbell, and from Oliver Cromwell's soldiers at Inverlochy Castle. So, he built Achnacarry Castle around 1655. Its location between Loch Lochy and Loch Arkaig was perfect for defense. People described the first Achnacarry as "a large house, all built of fir planks, the handsomest of that kind in Britain." A poet for Sir Ewen once sang about it as "The generous house of feasting...Pillared hall of princes...Where wine goes round freely in gleaming glasses...Music resounding under its rafters." It was seen as a grand hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands.
In 1665, a famous event called the Stand-off at the Fords of Arkaig happened near Achnacarry. This event finally ended a 360-year-long disagreement between the Camerons and the Chattan Confederation, led by the Clan Mackintosh.
After Sir Ewen passed away in the early 1700s, his son John Cameron became Clan Chief. Soon after, John's son, Donald, took over Achnacarry. This happened when his father, Lord Lochiel, had to leave Scotland and go to Flanders after the first Jacobite Uprising.
We learn a lot about the Achnacarry grounds from Donald Cameron, also known as "The Gentle Lochiel." He was the 19th Chief. In his marriage agreement, he promised to build his wife "a house...worth at least 100 pounds sterling, with gardens, outbuildings [like privies], and other comforts." Donald was planting a long line of beech trees near the River Arkaig when news arrived in 1745. It was about "Bonnie Prince Charlie's" landing in Scotland. This would be the last landscaping done at Achnacarry Castle for many years.
The Jacobite army was defeated at the Battle of Culloden in April 1746. The clans then retreated into the Scottish Highlands. Donald took the lead in trying to gather them again. But this last attempt to fight failed, and he and his men went into hiding in the mountains. On May 28, 1746, Donald watched as soldiers burned Achnacarry to the ground. Many valuable items and personal belongings were moved to safety beforehand. But the great fir-planked "Old" Achnacarry was left in ashes.
The Current Achnacarry Castle
For about fifty years, Achnacarry lay in ruins. Then, in 1802, it was rebuilt under Donald Cameron, the 22nd Chief of Clan Cameron. This "New Achnacarry" was built in the Scottish baronial style, which looks like an old castle. His wife, Anne Abercromby, hired James Gillespie as the architect.
In 1928, Achnacarry was the meeting place for big oil companies from around the world. They met to try and control how much oil was produced. A document called the Achnacarry Agreement or "As-Is" Agreement was signed on September 17, 1928.
Achnacarry During the Second World War
The current castle and the land around it became famous during World War II. From March 1942 to 1945, it was the Commando Training Depot for Allied soldiers. Brave Commandos from Britain, the United States, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Belgium trained here. Each training course ended with a practice "landing" exercise near Bunarkaig on Loch Lochy. Because real ammunition was used, some soldiers were injured or even died during training at Achnacarry. About 25,000 Commandos completed their training at the center during the four years it was open.
The castle also had some damage from a fire during the war. Several military groups still organize a Commando march today. This march is usually about 7 miles (11 km) long. Participants wear full battle gear, backpacks, and combat boots. They march from Spean Bridge, where the impressive Commando Memorial stands, to Achnacarry.
Achnacarry After the War
In August 2001, Achnacarry hosted the International Gathering of Clan Cameron. This event celebrated the 50th anniversary of Colonel Sir Donald Hamish Cameron of Lochiel, the 26th Chief of Clan Cameron. It also hosted another International Gathering of Clan Cameron in the summer of 2009.
Even though the castle is privately owned and not open to the public, you can visit the Commando Memorial nearby.
Clan Cameron Museum
A Clan Cameron Museum is located about 0.25 miles (400 m) from the castle. The current Chief of Clan Cameron, known as "Lochiel," Donald Cameron of Lochiel, still lives in Achnacarry. The museum has displays about the clan's stories, chiefs, mottos, history, and their lands in Lochaber. You can also see items connected to the castle and estate's history. There are exhibits about the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and even "Bonnie Prince Charlie".
See Also
- Clan Cameron
- Commando Basic Training Centre (United Kingdom)
- Achnacarry Agreement
