Innis Chonnell facts for kids
Innischonnell (which is Innis Chonaill in Scottish Gaelic) is a small island in Loch Awe, Scotland. It's located in an area called Kilchrenan and Dalavich parish, within Argyll. This island is about fourteen miles east of Kilmartin, also in Argyll.
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Innischonnell Castle: A Stronghold's Story
The island of Innischonnell is home to the ruins of an old castle. This castle had very thick outer walls. It was the first main base, or "stronghold," for the powerful Clan Campbell. They might have used it as early as the 1100s.
Early Days of the Castle
The castle was once the home of Cailean Mór, also known as Sir Colin Campbell. He was a very important leader. Sadly, he was killed in 1296 while fighting the Clan MacDougall at a place called the Battle of Red Ford.
Later, in 1308, a man named John MacDougall held the castle. He was fighting against Robert the Bruce, who would become a famous Scottish king.
The Campbells and Robert the Bruce
Sir Colin Campbell's son, Sir Neil Campbell, was a close friend of Robert the Bruce. Sir Neil even married Bruce's sister, Mary. Sir Neil Campbell fought alongside Robert the Bruce at the famous Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. This battle was a big victory for Scotland.
The Castle as a Prison
By the 1400s, the Campbell family no longer lived in Innischonnell Castle. However, they still used it for something important: as a prison.
One famous prisoner was a young man named Domhnall Dubh. His name means "Black Donald." He was the son of Aonghas Óg (Angus) and was supposed to become the next Lord of the Isles. In 1484, after a battle called the Battle of Bloody Bay near the Isle of Mull, Domhnall Dubh was locked up in Innischonnell Castle.
He managed to escape from the castle! But later, in 1503, after trying to take over an area called Badenoch, he was caught again. This time, he was sent to Edinburgh Castle and stayed there for forty years.
By the 1800s, Innischonnell Castle was mostly in ruins, just as we see it today.
