Joel Campbell (1735-1828): His Life and Times: 1685

[This is a series of articles on the year 1685. It may be helpful to read the Overview first.]

July 1685

On June 24th the Privy Council of Scotland issued a proclamation "to prosecute and persew those execrable Rebells and traitors untill they be apprehended and brought to condign punishment." For "there are severalls of that hellish crew not yet taken, who may skulk and lurk in this our realme with these of their partie and be sheltered by disaffected persones.."

After the 9th Earl of Argyll had been executed (June 30th in Edinburgh at the hands of the Maiden) there was still a fear of rebellion from the scattered forces of Argyll and perhaps a desire to teach these rebels a lesson. The recently dismissed forces of the Marquess of Atholl were recalled to the Highlands to round up the rebels. "The heritors were to be captured and executed."

John Murray, the Marquess of Atholl, watched from the towering hill of Duniquaich as his forces surrounded the small town and castle at Inveraray, the home of Clan Campbell (Legends, p. 252) It was only a short while before the overwhelming forces convinced the rebels to surrender.

Faux tower on Dun-na-Cuaich today. Also site of a legendary fort?

Dun-na-Cuaich as seen from the current Inveraray Castle. The old castle was just to the right of this picture. The old town of Inveraray was in the opposite direction... from this fence down to Loch Fyne .

Alastair Campbell (Vol III, p. 58) states that "Atholl carried out his orders with enthusiasm. Among those captured and imprisoned in the tolbooth at Inveraray were John Campbell of Carrick, Alexander Campbell of Dunstaffnage, Archibald Campbell of Inverawe, John Campbell of Ballinaby, John Campbell - Baile of Jura, Donald Campbell of Scamadale, Donald Campbell of Achawulin, Colin Campbell of Glennan, Dougal Campbell - brother germane to the Laird of Glencaradell, and Angus Campbell - brother to Skipness."

Atholl issued a proclamation that all landed proprietors in Argyllshire were to go to Inveraray and swear allegiance to King James II. Doing so would win them indemnity for any rebellious acts and restitution of their lands.

According to legend many complied, but 80 delayed to the final day. When they arrived at Inveraray they were told it was too late, made prisoners, tried, found guilty, and sentenced to die. They pleaded their case to the King, "but some gentlemen of the Grahams (related to John Graham of Claverhouse? see article on Bonnie Dundee) were at Inveraray, who had great animosity against the Campbells on account of the execution of Montrose their Chief (after Cromwell came to power?)" and they proceeded to carry out the executions themselves. By the time the King's reply came and put an end to the rampant killings, seventeen had been hanged. "A monument is put up to these 17 gentlemen at the place where they were hanged, at Rua-na-hard-rainich, where the town now stands, and near the church." (Legends, p. 266) [The account of the lead officer, Patrick Stewart of Ballechin, says that he "hanged seventeen Campbell lairds from the walls of Inveraray." p.8]

Despite this legendary account, the answers to the questions of how many were executed and who they were, are unfortunately unclear. Most of those named in the tolbooth of Inveraray appear to have been spared. Were the lesser lairds the victims of these executions? These low-level "leaders" of the rebellion had fewer connections and wealth to buy their banishment than the powerful men whose names are recorded above.

Adventures in Legend's account continues... "The plundering of the country went on gaily. It is wonderful that there was anything left to carry off. McIan of Glencoe was especially proud of this own part of the loot, which consisted of MacCailen's [with the 9th Earl dead, his eldest son Archibald was now MacCailen, Chief of Clan Campbell] calf, cows, and two dairymaids. All fishing boats and nets which could not be carried off from Loch Fyneside were burnt. They took with them all the butter, cheese, and clothes, besides the horses, sheep, cows, and goats."

This monument on the grounds of Inveraray Castle "...commemorates the execution by the 1st Marquis of Atholl of seventeen Campbell leaders in 1685..."

This monument was first erected in 1754. It now stands on the grounds of Inveraray Castle to the north of the bridge towards Dun-na-Cuaich.

The inscription is in Latin:

Sacrum Memorice Colini Fratris Germani Gualteri Campbell de Skipness qui inter alios
Evangelica Religionis et Libertatis Populi Tenaces
injustce occubuit
Neci Anno D'ni MDCLXXXV
"Scilicet adversis probitas exercita rebus,
Tristi Materiam tempore laudis habet" [from Ovid]

Roughly translated...

To the sacred memory of Colin, the brother-germane of Walter Campbell of Skipness, among other adherents of Evangelical Religion and Liberty of the People, who were unjustly killed in the year 1685.
"To wit, against the honesty of actions, at the time of sorrow, affords a theme for praise." [Ovid]