Colin Campbell of Glenorchy facts for kids

Colin Campbell of Glenorchy (born 1499, died 1583) was an important Scottish nobleman and landowner. He was known for his leadership and for building a famous castle.

Who Was Colin Campbell?

Colin Campbell was born in 1499. His father was also named Colin Campbell, and his mother was Margaret Stewart. When he was a child, he lived for a time with the MacGregor family in Fearnan.

As a younger son, Colin first received land in Crannich, near Loch Tay. He married Margaret Stewart, who was the daughter of a bishop named Andrew Stewart.

In 1550, Colin became the head of his family, known as the Laird of Glenorchy. This happened after his older brother, John, passed away. Colin then married Katherine Ruthven. She was from a powerful family and her sister, Mariotta Haliburton, was a Countess.

As he got older, Colin became known as "Grey Colin" or "Cailean Liath." This was because of his white hair and long, flowing beard.

Building a Castle and Expanding Power

One of Colin's first big actions as laird was to remove the Clan Gregor from Balloch, an area at the east end of Loch Tay.

In 1552, he started building a strong stone house there. This type of house was called a tower house. It was first known as Balloch Castle, but today it is called Taymouth Castle. The name "Balloch" means "house at the narrow pass."

There's a story that Colin chose the castle's spot in a special way. He supposedly had a dream that told him to build the castle where he first heard a blackbird sing. This happened as he walked down the Tay valley.

Colin Campbell was a powerful landowner. He claimed to have the right to imprison and execute people on his lands. This was a common power for important lords at the time. A book about his family, called the Black Book of Taymouth, said he was a great "justiciar," meaning someone who enforced justice. It also mentioned his long-standing conflict with the Clan Gregor.

Dealing with Royalty and Other Clans

In 1564, Mary, Queen of Scots, wrote to Colin Campbell. She asked him to destroy a strong house on an island in Loch Rannoch. The Clan Macdonald of Clanranald was rebuilding it, even though Queen Mary's father, King James V, had ordered it to be torn down before.

Colin Campbell had a long-running conflict, or feud, with the Clan Gregor. In 1569, Colin captured the chief of the Clan Gregor, Gregor Roy. On April 7, 1570, after getting permission from the Regent Morton (who ruled Scotland for the young king), Colin personally executed Gregor Roy at Balloch. Gregor's wife, Marion Campbell, was there and later wrote a sad song about it called 'Griogal Cridhe'. The fighting between the clans continued until they finally made peace in the winter of 1570.

In August 1582, James VI, the King of Scotland, visited Balloch Castle. He even gave a tip to the gardener! However, just a few days later, the king was captured during an event known as the Ruthven Raid.

Colin Campbell passed away on April 11, 1583. He was buried at Finlarig. He was known for writing and keeping many letters throughout his life.

Family Life

Colin Campbell had eleven children from his two marriages.

Children from his first marriage with Margaret Stewart:

• Beatrix Campbell
• Margaret Campbell

Children from his second marriage to Katherine Ruthven:

• Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy, who married Jean Stewart.
• Colin Campbell of Glenample
• Patrick Campbell of Auchinyre
• Archibald Campbell of Monzie
• Margaret Campbell, who married James Cunningham, 7th Earl of Glencairn.
• Katherine Campbell
• Annas or Elizabeth Campbell
• A daughter who married Gregor MacGregor.
• Mary Campbell, who married John Graham, 6th Earl of Menteith.