by Louis Byrd, State Editor

Central Carolinians of Scottish ancestry are brimming with excitement over the news of the visit to this state of Colonel Donald H. Cameron of Lochiel, Scotland, worldwide chief of the Clan Cameron.

Colonel and Mrs. Cameron already are reported in Durham as houseguests of Mr. and Mrs. John Labouisse.  They are due to come to Broadway next Tuesday where they will be luncheon guests of Mrs. J. Burton Cameron, Sr.

The late Mr. Cameron, Broadway contractor and longtime member of the Lee County Board of Education, was one of the three men who originally organized the Grandfather Mountain Branch of the Clan Cameron.  The other two persons associated with the Broadway man in this endeavor were Dr. Harold Cameron, London, Ontario and Dan Cameron of Raleigh.

While in this area Tuesday, Colonel Cameron and his wife will visit historic Barbecue Presbyterian Church in Western Harnett County.  A former pastor, the Rev. James MacKenzie of Robbins, will be on hand to explain the church's Heritage Room and its many historical treasures.

Members of the Barbecue Church will honor the visitors with a tea from 2 to 3 p.m. in the church fellowship hall.  All members of the Cameron clan and others of Scottish ancestry throughout the area have a cordial invitation to attend.  The event will be open to the public.

Colonel Cameron is in the state especially to attend the annual gathering of the Clans at Grandfather Mountain on July 7-9.  Chief Cameron will be the honored guest for the entire colorful event.

The 26th Chief of Clan Cameron has had a distinguished career as a soldier in World War II and before in peacetime in the Territoriale.  He is a chartered accountant, vice-chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland, and Director of the Scottish Widows' Life Assurance Society.

Colonel Cameron has had a life long interest in the development of Scotland, particularly of the Highlands.  In this capacity he serves as presidents of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society.

Colonel and Mrs. Cameron reside at Achnacarry Castle, ancestral home of Clan Cameron, surrounded by an estate of 100,000 acres of mountains and glen.  They have a farm with a large herd of cattle and sheep.

Plans for the chief's itinerary were made some weeks ago by Dr. Harold Cameron, the London, Ontario physician who came to this state two weeks ago to make preparations for the visit of the Chief.

From Durham, the Chief will make a brief visit to the Cameron relatives in Wilmington, and on Wednesday, July 5, Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Hobbs of Shelby will honor Colonel Cameron at a barbecue at their home in order to give clansmen in the Western part of the state an opportunity to meet their chief.  From Shelby, the Camerons will move on to Linville for events associated with the colorful gathering of the Clans.

On Friday, July 7, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Cameron will entertain at a luncheon at their cottage in Newland honoring Mrs. Cameron, wife of the Chief.  The clansmen will take Colonel Cameron to an old fashioned North Carolina restaurant in Boone.  Friday night, July 7 the Chief will be presented to the representatives of the other clans at the ceilidh at Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk.  The Clan festival, with Scottish games, will be presented Saturday, July 8, in the meadow followed by the Tartan ball.  Cameron Clan breakfast is scheduled Sunday morning, July 9, at Sugar Mountain Lodge.  As is the custom, the Clan Cameron will maintain its tent in McRae Meadows throughout the Scottish festival.