Hugh Cameron (1705?-1817) – miller – invented a machine for scutching flax and travelled across the Highlands (including Gaidhealtachd, Perthshire, Caithness, Ross, Sutherland and Inverness) constructing some eighty mills, including one at Inverar at Glenlyon – almost every lint mill in the Highlands of Scotland. He also designed spinning-wheels and jack-reels and taught other millers how to utilise their benefits. The barley-shelling mill to the north of the Forth was designed by Ewen Cameron and again his barley-shelling mills were the first in the area. The mill at Inverar is still standing today and has undergone restoration work.
Born at Breadalbane (Perthshire), Cameron was apprenticed to a miller at Crieff before moving to Shiain of Lawers – where he constructed a lint mill; the first in the Highlands. In his work introducing new technology to the economically important linen industry, Cameron was supported by the State.
As well as his work, Cameron had much time for community life and frequently hosted ceilidhs and other social events at his home at Shiain of Lawers. A song –Moladh di Eobhan Camashran muilleir lin – was written in Cameron’s honour by the bard Mac a Ghlastrich. Despite his industry, Hugh Cameron died a pauper at the alleged age of 112 (15 April 1817).