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

[This is part of a series of articles on the year 1685. You might want to read the Overview first.]

July 15, 1685

Built originally in the 13th century, this coastal castle was used by the Kings of Scots to control the isles and seaboard. By the 14th century the castle fell into the hands of the Campbells and has remained ever since.

Dunstaffnage Ruins

Map

The castle was garrisoned by a hereditary Captain. In 1667 the 9th Earl of Argyll granted a disposition to the then 10th Captain which contained his duties including the following:

"holding our said Castell of Dunstaffneis and ever keeping and holding therein six able and decent men with armour and arms sufficient for warr and keeping of the said Castell. And one sufficient portar and watch at least extending in the haill to Eight persones in tyme of peace. And if warr shall happin to fall out in these parts... we and our aires shall be holden... to be at the halff of the expense... for the keeping and sure detaining of the said castell over and above the saides eight persones to be keeped therein... Moreover, the said Archibald Campbell and his aires... shall be obleist to make our said Castell patent and open to us and our foresaids at all tymes whensoever they are requyred thereto, As also to furnish to us, our aires and successors foresaids yeerlie peats or aldin for chambers, kithchine, bakehouse, and brewhouse and for the hall alss oft and sua oft as we or our aires shall happin to be ther. And sicklyk the said Archibald Campbell and his aires foresaids be astricted, bund and obliged to sufficientle uphold and maintaine the haill house and buildings of our said castell of Dunstaffneis in the samen condition... as the said Archibald Campbell does presentlie..."

Sometime between May 13 and 17 of 1685 Charles Campbell, son of the 9th Earl of Argyll, was dropped by ship at Dunstaffnage. His mission was to recruit for the rebel army. "He returned with the report that many of the chiefs had fled or were in prison, and the rest afraid to move." (Cassell) By May 20th the rebel army was sailing south along the Kintyre peninsula.

Word of the landing at Dunstaffnage had traveled quickly to the east. On May 20th the Earl of Breadalbane (a Campbell) at Castle Glenorchy sent a note to the Commander of the King's army in the Highlands, the Marquis of Atholl. He wrote that he sent a party of his men to Dunstaffnage, but they returned. "The Lady came out & told shee was to deliver it [the castle] to Brolos [a McLean?] so soon as he cam for it ..", the truth of which Breadalbane seemed to doubt. (p. 202 Atholl Chronicles Vol 1)

A few days later on May 23 from Kilchurn Castle Breadalbane wrote again. "I wish the pairty I sent to Dunstafnage succeed..." (p. 208 Atholl) Presumably the Earl of Breadalbane sent a second party to secure the castle. Perhaps at this point it was controlled by the King's men, but not yet destroyed?

On July 11 of 1685 Stuart of Ballechin, an officer in Atholl's army, wrote a note from Inveraray. He reported that he wrote to the McLeans or whoever was in command of Dunstaffnage that they should deliver the castle to Lochnell (a Campbell) "to be demolished and brunt." He mentioned that the Campbells would destroy all of the cattle in the area under the pretense of keeping "that house." He opined that the house was of no use to the forces in providing safety to the surrounding country, so he suggested that the ammunition be removed and the house given to "the Ladie." (p. 257 Atholl)

Three days later on July 14, Campbell of Lochnell sent a letter to Stuart of Ballechin. In it he confirmed that he went to Dunstaffnage on receipt of Stuart's letter. He wrote that he expected to see Airdgower (a McLean?) this night "and I shall yn[then] follow my ordors..." (to demolish and burn?) (p. 258 Atholl)

I have found no primary witness of the burning and destruction of Dunstaffnage, but secondary affirmations abound that it was "burned out by the Marquis of Atholl after the rising collapsed." I have approximated that occurrence to this date of about July 15, 1685.

The castle was rebuilt, but shortly after was abandoned save a small section for the hereditary Captains. A small section is habitable to this date.