Behind Torrisdale in Kyntyre rises a mountain named Ben an Tuire, the "Hill of the Boar". It takes it name from a famous incident of Celtic legend. There, acording to tradition, Diarmid O'Duibhne slew the fierce boar which ravaged the districy. The boar's bristles were poisonous, and a rival for his lady's love induced him to measure the hide of land with his naked feet. One of the bristles pricked him, and he died.
Diramid is said to have been the ancestor of the race of O'Duibhne who owned the shores of Loch Awe, which were in origin Oire Gaidheal, or Argyll, the "Land of the Gael". The race is said to have ended in the reign of Alexander III, King of Scots. The race ended in an hieress, Eva, daughter of Paul O'Duibhne, the king's treasurer. Eva married Archibald (Gillespie) Campbell, to whom she carried the possessions of her house. This tradition is supported by a charter of David II, King of Scots, in 1368, which secured to the Archibald Campbell of that date certain lands on Loch Awe "as freely as these were enjoyed by his ancestor, Duncan O'Duibhne."
The name Campbell comes from the Gaelic "cam beul" or "crook mouth".
In 1288 Colin Mor Campbell of Lockow was knighted by Alexander III, King of Scots. Colin's son Nigel, or Neil Campbell joined the cause of Robert the Bruce, bringing his family to the platform of the great affairs of Scotish history. He befriended the king, and accompanied him in exile. Niel married the king's sister, Princess Mary (Marjorie), and the lands of the Earl of Atholl were given to their second son.
The family was rewarded again for helping Robert, the young High Stewart, and were given the governorship of Dunroon.
The family was further advanced when Colin Campbell's grandson, also a Sir Colin Campbell, married the sister of Annabella Drummond, the queen of Robert III, King of Scots. Sir Colin's son, Sir Duncan married first a cousin of the king's and then the king's natural daughter.
In 1445 Sir Colin was raised to a Lord of Parliment as Lord Campbell, after being Privy Councilor, the King's Justiciary, and lieutenant of the county of Argyll.
Lord Campbell's second son became the first Earl of Argyll in 1457 by James II, King of Scots, while his third son founded the family of the Campbells of Glenurchy, Earls and marquesses of Breadalbane.
The castle Inveraray was built and became the family headquarters for four centuries.
The first earl of Argyl was appointed Master of the Household of James III, King of Scots. He acted as an ambassador to England and France, and was finally made Lord High Chancellor of Scotland. His wife was the co-heir of John Stewart, Lord of Lorne, and he obtained a charter of the lands and the tltle of that lordship.
Archibald, second Earl of Argyll, was the leader of the vanguard of James IV, King of Scots' army at the battle of Flodden, where he died.
Archibald, fourth Earl of Argyll was appointed Justice-General of Scotland by James V, and was the first person of importance to embrace the prodestant faith.
Archibald, fith Earl of Argyll was married to one of the natural daughters of James V, who was the favourite half-sister of Mary, Queen of Scots. She was with the queen when Rizzo was murderd and acted as proxy for Queen Elizabeth of England at the batism of James VI. Archibald caused the loss of the battle of Langside, and was appointed Lord High Chancellor.
Archibald's half-brother succeded him as the sixth Earl. Sir Colin was appointed Lord High Chancellor in 1579.
The family had been in a feud with the MacDonald's for centuries.
The eigth Earl of Argyll was raised to the first Maquess of Argyll. He was also the last Marquess of Argyll. He crowned Charles II as King of Scotland in 1651. He was captured by Cromwell's armies and beheaded for this, and stripped of his titles.
The Marquess' son, Archibald, was restored to the Earldom in 1663. Archibald's eldest son was one of the commissioners that sent an offer of the crown to William of Orange. King William create him Duke of Argyll.
The second Duke, John, was one of the greatest men of his time. He commanded George I's army at the battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715, and preserved Scotland for the king. In 1719 he was made Duke of Greenwick, and in 1735 Field-Marshall cammanding all the forces of the kingdom. As he had no sons, his British titles died with him, while his Scottish titles were inherited by his brother, Archibald.
Archibald rebuilt Inveraray Castle on it present site.
The nineth Duke married HRH Princess Louise, fourth daughter of Queen Victoria.
My earlest ancestor in the line is Donald Campbell, father of Neil Campbell (1848 - 1913). My closest relative of this name is Mary Isabella Campbell (1891 - 1993).
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Reference:
McNie, A. 1988, "Your Clan Heritage Clan Campbell", Cascade Publishing Company, Scotland.
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