Campbell of Craignish facts for kids

The Campbells of Craignish are an old and important branch of the famous Clan Campbell in Scotland. Their name in Scottish Gaelic is Mac Dúbhghaill Creaginnis.

This family comes from Dugald Campbell. He was the second son of Sir Archibald Gillespic Campbell, who lived around 1130. Sir Archibald was the 5th Knight of Lochawe and the 20th Chief of Clan Campbell. His first son, Sir Duncan Campbell, started the main branch of the Campbell family. Today, this main branch holds the title of Duke of Argyll.

The Campbells of Craignish were known for being strong and brave. They were not much for talking things out. Instead, they were good soldiers and stood up for their rights. They quickly gained a lot of land through marriages and battles. Their growing power made the main Campbell family at Lochow a bit worried.

Today, the family no longer owns the land called Craignish. The family's coat of arms shows a shield hanging from a ship's mast. The current chief's coat of arms has a blue ducal crown. This shows he is a Clan Chieftain, but the blue color means the original lands are no longer owned by the chief. The Chief of Craignish is also the Chief of Clan MacInnes and Clan MacIsaac.

Craignish Castle History

Dugall Maul Campbell was the first Laird (landowner) of Craignish. His family built and lived in Craignish Castle. This castle is on the Craignish peninsula in Argyll.

In 1510, Ranald MacCallum became the castle's keeper. However, the Campbell family lost the castle a long time ago. In 1832, it was rebuilt as a private home for Mr. Trench-Gascoigne. He owned a lot of land in Argyllshire. Today, Craignish Castle has been turned into apartments and is privately owned.

Craignish Family Leaders

The leaders of the Campbells of Craignish were called Lairds and Chieftains. The first Laird was Dugald Maul Campbell. He was the second son of Sir Archibald Campbell, the 5th Knight of Lochawe.

After several generations, the 7th Laird, Sir Dugald Campbell, had only one daughter, Christina Campbell. She was not able to keep the family's land. Most of the estate went back to the Knight of Lochawe. Christina was left with only a small part of Craignish.

Ronald Campbell, a nephew of the 6th Laird, fought to get the land back. The Chief of Clan Campbell had to give him a large part of the estate. But there was a rule: if there were no male heirs in Ronald's direct family line, the land would go back to the Argyll family.

Over time, the Craignish family continued to have Lairds and Chieftains. However, the direct male line eventually ended.

Campbells of Barrichbeyan

Donald McEan Gorm Campbell was the 10th Laird and 11th Chieftain of Craignish. His descendants kept a part of the estate called Barrichebean. Between 1550 and 1680, they were able to buy back most of the Craignish estate. They were known as MacDoil Vic Ean.

These Campbells held the title of Baron of Barrichibean. John Campbell became the 2nd Baron in 1492. Other family members followed, including Donald Campbell, Iain Campbell, and George Campbell.

Clan Tearlach and Inverneill Campbells

When the main line of the Campbells of Craignish ended in 1544, the rightful heir was Charles 'Tearlach Mor' Campbell. He was a relative from Corranmore in Craignish. However, Charles had a serious conflict that forced him to leave Argyll. He went to Perthshire and found protection with the Breadalbane family.

Because Charles had to leave, he could not claim the Craignish estate. So, the land went to the Earls (who later became Dukes) of Argyll.

Years later, one of Charles's descendants, Sir James Campbell (1737–1805), was recognized as the 9th Chieftain of the Clan Tearlach branch. His family became known as the Campbells of Inverneill. The arms of Campbell of Inverneill are similar to those of Campbell of Craignish, but with a blue border.

Some important Campbells of Inverneill were buried in Westminster Abbey. Others are buried in the Campbell of Inverneill Mausoleum. The Inverneill estates were sold in the 1950s, except for the Mausoleum and Inverneill Island.

Barons Craignish and von Laurentz

The title of Baron of Craignish was brought back in the late 1800s. In 1882, Ronald MacLeay Laurentz Campbell was made Baron Craignish by the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. He was allowed to use this title in the United Kingdom.

Three years later, in 1886, his younger brother, Edmund Kempt Laurentz Campbell, also became a Baron. He was named Baron Campbell of Laurentz. He was allowed to use this title in the UK too. Edmund Campbell was a brave soldier. He was wounded in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War and received an award called the Iron Cross. Both brothers worked for the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.

Edmund Campbell did not have children. When he died in 1917, his Barony ended. His wife, Sarah Elizabeth Campbell, wrote a book in 1913 about touring in a car.

Ronald Campbell, the older brother, died in 1897. His son, also named Ronald, became the 2nd Baron Craignish. He died in 1920 without children, so his Barony also ended.

Current Status

The title 'Laird of Craignish' is not used anymore. This is because 'Laird' means owning land, and the Craignish estates were lost a long time ago.

The House of Craignish represents many Campbells around the world. However, there is no identified Chieftain for this branch right now.

The title 'Baron Campbell von Laurents' was a German title. It could only be passed down to male family members. Because there are no direct male heirs, this title has also ended.

See also

• Carter-Campbell of Possil
• Inverneill House