Cailean Mór facts for kids
Cailean Mór Caimbeul, also known as Sir Colin Campbell, was a very important person in Scottish history. He lived a long time ago, in the 1200s. He is known as one of the first and most important members of a famous Scottish family called Clan Campbell. His family later became the powerful Earls of Argyll.
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Who Was Cailean Mór Caimbeul?
His Family and Important Connections
Cailean was the son of a knight named Gilleasbaig. Gilleasbaig was a lord who owned lands in Menstrie and Sauchie in Clackmannanshire. It is believed that Cailean's mother was Afraig. She was from the family of the Gaelic Earls of Carrick.
This means that Cailean was a cousin to the future king, Robert I of Scotland. This family connection is why the Campbells were strong supporters of the Bruce family during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Cailean's Role in History
Cailean played a part in a big event called the Great Cause. This was when Scottish leaders had to decide who should be the next king of Scotland. Cailean was one of the people who spoke for the Bruce family to King Edward I of England in 1291.
He also appeared as a witness in several important documents from the 1290s. These documents were about land ownership in south-western Scotland. For example, he helped guarantee payments for land in Symington around 1293. He also witnessed a marriage agreement in 1296.
By 1296, Cailean was given an important job. He became the "Ballie" (a type of local official) for the areas of Loch Awe and Ardscotnish. This job was given to him by either King John Balliol or King Edward I of England.
His Death and Legacy
Because of his important position, Cailean became an enemy of Iain of Lorn. Iain was the MacDougall Lord of Lorne. Sometime after September 1296, Cailean was killed by the MacDougalls. This happened at a place called the "Red Ford" near Loch Awe.
A stone pile, called a cairn, marks the spot where people believe Cailean was killed. This cairn is known as Carn Chailein. It is located near Kilbeg on Loch Avich.
Cailean's Family Legacy
Cailean Mór Caimbeul had several children. These included:
- Domhnall mac Cailein
- Neil (or Niall) Campbell
- Gillespic (or Archibald) Campbell
- Dougall (or Dugald) Campbell
One of his descendants, Colin Iongantach Campbell, married Mariota Campbell. She was also a descendant of Cailean's son Dougall. Their son was Duncan Campbell, 1st Lord Campbell. This means that Cailean is a direct ancestor of the powerful Earls and Dukes of Argyll. These leaders of Clan Campbell proudly called themselves "Mac Cailein Mór," which means "Son or descendant of Colin the Great."
