Text and images Robert Hay
Dugald Carmichael (Naturalist and Explorer 1772-1827)
Lismore-born Carmichael was one of the leading British naturalists and explorers in the decades around 1800, collecting in South Africa, Mauritius and Tristan da Cunha, before returning to work on the British flora. Amongst other activities, he spent endless hours studying the algae on the shore next to his farm at Ardtur, and many of his collections are kept for reference at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Edinburgh; the British Museum; and the University of St Andrews.
A full life of Carmichael is available in: Lismore Lives: How islanders made their mark on the world. Published by Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mor in 2026, available in the Heritage Centre shop.
Captain Dugald Carmichael’s sandstone graveslab
Lismore Lives 2026