CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, recently joined Donald Cameron, Younger of Lochiel and a Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands, during a visit to the Battle of Prestonpans Jacobite Museum 1745.
Donald Cameron is the son of the 27th Lochiel of Clan Cameron - the direct descendent of Donald Cameron, 19th Lochiel of Clan Cameron, who joined his forces with the Jacobites at the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745.
The Battle of Prestonpans Jacobite Museum is located in Prestonpans’ Victorian Town Hall building and tells the story of the Battle of Prestonpans – the first significant engagement of the Jacobite rising of 1745.
The Jacobite forces, led by the exiled Charles Edward Stewart (‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’), defeated a government army led by Sir John Cope, whose forces scattered within 30 minutes in the face of a Highland Charge.
Craig Hoy MSP and Donald Cameron MSP met Museum Curator Arran Johnston, from the Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust, to discuss the museum’s collection and future growth plans.
They were shown a recently added section to the Prestonpans Tapestry, which depicts Lochiel’s forces joining the Prince ahead of the battle.
Craig Hoy MSP said: “It was great to join my colleague Donald Cameron MSP and learn more about his family’s heritage as well as the significance of the Battle of Prestonpans as part of the town’s history.
“The Battle of Prestonpans Museum is a great resource and well worth a visit for those interested in learning more about the history of East Lothian.”
Donald Cameron MSP said: “I was delighted to visit Prestonpans for the first time, with my colleague Craig Hoy, and see the Museum with its impressive and informative exhibition about the Battle.”
Arran Johnston, the Curator of the Museum, said: “In 1745, the support of Cameron of Lochiel was crucial to the Jacobite success at Prestonpans. It was therefore a pleasure to show his descendant around the museum! We believe our museum has an important role to play in the local visitor economy, and welcomed the opportunity to discuss that potential with Donald and Craig.”
