A young Fort William man sets out next week for New Zealand as a Clan Cameron "ambassador" in an adventurous and imaginative exchange programme.

Alasdair "Astie" Cameron (26), from Glen Nevis, has been chosen by the Clan Cameron Associations of New Zealand and Scotland to be the Highland pioneer for the "First Light Exchange."   Spearheading the initiative from the New Zealand end is Mrs Maisie (Cameron) Erle - who has Corpach connections - and is Emeritus Professor at Massey University in Palmerston North.

As president of the Clan Cameron Association of NZ, Maisie has developed a three point plan to foster communication, cultural and sporting links between young Cameron's of both countries, aged 18-25, to encourage their professional and personal development.

And Astie will leave Scotland on April 18 to undertake various duties and roles in visiting his Clan's eight branches on both the North and South Islands.   And the young man, a former pupil of Inverlochy Primary and Lochaber High School, and a university graduate, is very well equipped for the task.  "I'll be talking to them all about Cameron's in Lochaber - the Clan Stronghold - about growing up in Lochaber, and about music in Lochaber.  So I'll be giving them all a few tunes on my pipes."

Astie has just finished a six months contract with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency - in Lochaber - and is being given a three months secondment to the New Plymouth District Council Environmental Services in New Zealand.  "I hope to meet as many challenges on offer as I can," says the likeable Lochaber man. "As soon as I arrive I'll be whisked off to attend the annual Clan Cameron Gathering in Gisborne."  At an official send off this week, clan chief, Sir Donald Cameron of Lochiel, and lady Cameron wished Astie 'Bon Voyage' - and are looking forward to his e-mail running commentary from New Zealand from among the clansfolk there.