[This is part of a series of articles on the year 1685. You might want to read the Overview first.]
June 23, 1685
"Carnasserie Castle (also spelled Carnassarie) is a ruined 16th-century tower house, noted for its unusual plan and renaissance detailing. It is located around 2km to the north of Kilmartin, in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland, at grid reference NM837009." [Wikipedia]
This castle was built in 1565 for the reformer, John Carswell, under the patronage of the 5th Earl of Argyll. Within this structure Carswell translated the "Book of Common Order" (a reformed text) into Gaelic, the first book printed in Scottish Gaelic. The castle passed through more Campbell hands and was in the possession of Sir Dugald Campbell, 3rd Baronet of Auchinbreck, in 1685.
The last hold outs from the Monmouth (Argyll) rebellion were stubbornly garrisoned in Carnassarie Castle on June 23, 1685. They were commanded by two Campbells, Auchinbreck and Barbreck. A large loyal army under Atholl approached. The army already held hostage the former Captain of the garrison and his family. They also had intelligence that the defenders were only eighty in number.
Atholl sent out Mackenzie of Suddie to demand a surrender of the castle. Suddie took the hostages along as leverage. If the castle did not surrender, the Captain of the garrison would be executed. The insolent rebels fired on the party and one of the hostages was summarily hanged.
The hanging had the desired effect and the castle surrendered. As they vacated the castle the magazine exploded. Even though it only took out two windows and a door, the loyalist were roused by this treachery. They fell on the captives killing several including Auchinbreck's brother, Alexander Campbell.
The damaged castle was never repaired. It fell prey to the elements and eventually left Campbell hands. Today it is remembered primarily for its first resident and his work in converting the "wild" Highlanders to Protestantism by using texts in their native Gaelic. But it also is a reminder of its last occupants--the last hold outs of the Argyll Rebellion of 1685.
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| Signage near castle |
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| Walkway to castle |
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| Signage at castle |
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| South side |
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| Campbell Gyronny |
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| Fireplace in main chamber |
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| View from roof of castle |
Main source: History of Clan Campbell, Vol III, Alastair Campbell, p.53.
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