Cameron of Locheil - some help needed

[figheadair]

At the prompting of a pal I'm working on a short article on the Cameron of Lochiel tartan which is one of those generally thought to be a Jacobite era sett but...........

At the moment I'm trying to get to get things in order and wonder if any of the rabble can confirm (fact not fiction please) the origins of a couple of portraits. There are three portraits of the Gentle Lochiel each of which has been claimed to be by Sir George Chalmers and whilst they show similarities all are unique and there can only be one .

So, who can help with these two?



I have been unable to find a colour version of this and wonder if in fact it was an engraved print? It is not the portrait owned by Lochiel at Achnacarry but is clearly based on it. Anyone know the source?



There is something naive about this painting which I suspect is C19th, probably Victorian. Anyone know the source and where it is now?

[Jock Scot]

Hello Peter, why not ask Lochiel? If anyone might know, then perhaps he might.

[Domehead]

Mr. MacDonald,

The first portrait (Oil on Canvas, which hangs in the Dining Room at Achnacarry), there is a wee colour image of the original included on www.cindyvallar.com
The source of the image is one Cindy Vallar, author of The Scottish Thistle, as well a literary critic.
Click the Scotland's Thisle 2 link in the menu banner at the top. The image is half way down. I cannot vouch for her credibility. She is just a link in your chain.

I'm still working the second. I am familiar with the Alexander MacDonald portrait, which the National Portrait Museum credits Sir George Chalmers - The Lord of the Isles sett featuring Co. Antrim in the background. However, I've not got enough time at this moment to dig into his other work.

I'll do what I can.

Slainte,
Domehead

[figheadair]

Hello Peter, why not ask Lochiel? If anyone might know, then perhaps he might.

We've already corresponded Jock and no, he doesn't know but believes like me that these two are copies of the one he has.

[figheadair]

The first portrait (Oil on Canvas, which hangs in the Dining Room at Achnacarry)

I beg to differ. This is the one at Achnacarry.



The first one I posted is clearly a copy but some of the detail, including the tartan, differs.

[Jock Scot]

We've already corresponded Jock and no, he doesn't know but believes like me that these two are copies of the one he has.

Ah right, in that case I have no other suggestions Peter. Good luck with the search.

[Domehead]

Mr. MacDonald,

Yes, I know the B&W image you posted, and the Achnacarry Oil on Canavas on which it is based, are different in many detailed respects.
Incidentally, yours is the same as the image included by Cindy Vallar.

The way I interpreted your note, I thought you were seeking a colour version, as in any, of that sitting.

Sorry for any confusion.
Domehead

[figheadair]

The way I interpreted your note, I thought you were seeking a colour version, as in any, of that sitting.

Sorry for any confusion.
Domehead

No, no, you are correct, I am searching for a colour version but having trouble finding my way around the Cindy Vallar site.

[Domehead]

Mr. MacDonald,

I don't believe Cindy Vallar's page can help you. She includes two images, from the International Gathering of Clan Cameron, 2001 - Achnacarry.
Both are Oil on Canvas: Sir Donald Cameron of Locheil & Sir Ewen Cameron of Locheil. Based on the flash included in the exposures, I think she snapped the images herself.

The "Sir Donald Cameron of Locheil" image is the exact image you already posted. It is not a colour version of your B&W image. Which, I don't believe does you any good. As for navigating her site, here is a direct link to the page in question,
http://www.cindyvallar.com/scot2.html

Again, as a person who does an inordinate amount of research, and loves the chase, I'm sorry for the confusion.
Domehead

P.S. She spells Locheil (or, Loch Eil) incorrectly. You'll notice.

[Jock Scot]

Errrrrr well ummmmm, spelling has never been a strong point of mine, but to us locals Loch Eil is the body of water that flows into Loch Linnhe at Fort William. Lochiel is the head of Clan Cameron.