Big Duncan Cameron's dirk

Jacobite

This heavy dirk with a backed blade is made from steel with a wooden hilt decorated with a Celtic knotwork design and brass pins. The dirk is important to the collection because of its connection to Big Duncan Cameron, known in Gaelic as Donnchadh Mor Camshron. At the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745 Duncan was anxious to go forward before the battle and was being restrained by his chief, the Gentle Lochiel. Finally, Duncan broke free and charged across the field followed by other Camerons. The dirk was bequeathed to the museum by his great-great-granddaughter.

Material: steel, wood

Size: L 435 mm x 55 mm (hilt)

Sources: West Highland Museum