“My father is Donald Angus, and I’m Donald Andrew – it’s quite a Highland tradition that you’re known by two names. Just before I was christened, I believe Lindsays contacted my parents and said, “Hold on, he can’t just be Donald Andrew, because he’ll have exactly the same initials as Donald Angus.
“So at the very last minute, John came into my name. That’s why I am named Donald Andrew John.”
Donald Andrew John is Donald Cameron, Younger of Lochiel (pictured above). Lindsays (or Fothringham and Lindsay WS, as the firm then was) have worked with his family since the first half of the nineteenth century.
The involvement of the family lawyers in the choice of a son’s name seems odd in the twenty-first century, but it’s an indication of how closely we can be involved in our clients’ journeys through life.
Our current work with estates like Lochiel requires more specialist advice than it did in previous decades. “Thirty or forty years ago, my father and grandfather would probably have dealt with Roy Shearer, a former partner of Lindsays who retired last year, and it would be one solicitor who would have dealt with most aspects of the estate’s legal requirements,” explains Donald Cameron.
“Now when we work with Lindsays, perhaps half a dozen different experts can be dealing with various projects for us – spanning renewables, general property work, setting up companies and planning issues.”
Thirty years ago, the main income sources of a Highland estate would be crofting, agriculture, forestry and sportings. Nowadays, they may also generate income through agricultural tenancies, fish farm tenancies, residential lets and holiday lets.
And most recently, renewables. Lindsays regularly works with clients on hydro, wind and solar schemes.
The world of developing rural renewable schemes seems far removed from the days when Lindsays partners headed to the Highlands on quarter days to collect rents in a local hotel. But, in fact, our role remains similar.
According to Donald Cameron, “As a landowner, you should be prepared for change – you can’t preserve an estate in aspic for centuries ... You have to be alive to opportunities but marry that with the traditional nature of the estate.” Being a good lawyer means enabling our clients to do exactly that – through listening to them, understanding them, and moving with the times to ensure we are able to support all of our clients diverse needs.
