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Campbell is from the Gaelic Cam
Beul meaning twisted mouth and Clan is said to descend from Ossianic
hero Diarmaid Cam Beul. Thus Campbell and MacDiarmaid/MacDermott are of the
same Clan. More extravagant claims of descent from British Kings of Strathclyde
or from the legendary King Arthur himself are made.
The Campbell rise to power in Scotland
firmly dates from the period when Sir Colin Campbell of Loch Awe supported
Robert Bruce in his quest for the Scottish throne. As did a number of other
Scottish families who did well out of supporting Bruce and the winning side!
Lands from those on the losing side were granted and the Campbells continued
to rise in power and wealth in Argyll by supporting the monarchy against
local rebels.
Around 1440 Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy
married Margaret Stewart and obtained lands in west Perthshire among others.
Why not take a short break of vacation
in 'Campbell country'!
Edinample
Castle by Loch Earn was built by 'Black' Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy
in the 16thC possibly on the site of an earlier MacGregor building. Another
of his castles was Finlarig Castle,
Killin built in 1629. Legend has it that a pit
there was where nobles were executed; commoners were hanged on a nearby oak
tree.
In 1646 the Loch Dochart Castle, which
had been built by Black Duncan between Killin and
Crianlarich, was destroyed by the
MacNabs.
'Black' Duncan's grandson, Sir John
Campbell of Glenorchy, was created 1st Earl of Breadalbane in 1681. He was
strongly implicated in the Massacre of Glencoe which was executed by a relation,
Robert Campbell of Glenlyon.
Taymouth Castle was the seat of these
Campbell Earls. In this area of Perthshire, Campbell power grew at the expense
of the MacNabs. |
