The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

OIIAP. VII]
. O
F S C O T L A N D 303
does not present anything remarkable until we come to the
time of Sir Ewen Cameron, a hero whose fame has eclipsed
that of all his predecessors. Sir Ewen, or " Evandhu " as he
was called in the Highlands, seems to have possessed an
uncommon character, and one of chivalrous features, only
equalled perhaps by that of his unfortunate grandson, whose
share in the insurrection of 1745 is well known. The grand-
father was the first to join in the insurrection of 1652 in
favour of the royal cause, and the last who held out against
the power of Oliver Cromwell, and to whom, in fact, he never
fully submitted.
Of the numberless anecdotes related of this chief, it would
be impossible
justice
to give a full detail in this place, or to do any
to his history in a work so limited. He is said to
have killed the last wolf in Scotland, and he so often defeated
the body of troops stationed in Lochaber, and so constantly
harassed them, that they were obliged to remain confined in
the fortress of Inverlochy, and were at length so desirous to
be at peace with him, that a treat}' was concluded on terms
most honourable to Sir Ewen, and in which his political
principles were fully respected. One circumstance, however,
regarding him, it may be proper to mention, being of more
importance than all his exploits, as it illustrates the highly
chivalrous nature of his character as well as the impression it
had made upon others ; and of the truth of this circumstance
we have sufficient authority in the following passage of General
Monk's letter :— " No oath was required of Lochiel to Cromwell,
but his word of /lonour to live in peace. He and his clan were
allowed to keep their arms, as before the war broke out, they
behaving peaceably.
for the wood cut
Reparation was to
by
be made to Locheil
the garrison of Inverlochy. A full
indemnity was granted for all acts of depredation and crimes
committed by his men. Reparation was to be made to his
tenants, for all the losses they had sustained from the troops."
Sir Ewen joined the royal party at Killicranky, although
then an old man, and survived till the }'ear 1719, when he
died at the age of ninety.
If Sir Ewen's character was equalled by any one, it was b}'
his G[randson. The share taken bv that unfortunate chief in the