Situated on the shores of Loch Awe, Kilchurn Castle is a beautiful ruin. Built in the
15th century by Colin Campbell, it was remodelled by another Campbell-John-in the 1690's to accommodate a private army;
it was abandoned in the mid-18th century.
Campbell History
Through the centuries, the Campbells have been a dominant influence in the Western Highlands. From Diarmid O'Duine they derived their original Celtic name of Clan Duihne. The name Campbell comes from the Gaelic "Cam beul", meaning curved mouth. In the thirteenth century Archibald Campbell obtained by marriage the Lordship of Lochow.
Sir Colin, progenitor of the Campbells of Argyll, was knighted in 1280. From him successive Chiefs derive the patronym MacCailein Mhor, meaning "Son of Great Colin". Colin's son, Sir Neil, married Lady Marjorie Bruce and thereafter the Campbells played a leading part in national affairs, in the main as supporters of the national government. In 1464 Colin, 1st Earl of Argyll, became Master of the Royal Household and in 1483 Lord High Chancellor of Scotland. Since 1472 Inveraray Castle on Loch Fyne has been the seat of the Campbell Clans. In 1745 the Campbells played
a vital role in defeating the Jacobite movement. By the middle of the 18th century the Campbells were by far the most powerful Clan in Scotland. They were not without their problems, they had a long-standing feud with Clan Donald of neighboring Islay. The Campbell tartan is blue, black, and green, and is often referred to as "BlackWatch".
