Kilmichael | The Forum of Scotland's Baronage

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THE BARONY OF

Kilmichael

Argyll | 1542

Kilmichael lies in the middle of Argyll, just to the north of Knapdale. It takes its name from the Gaelic ‘Church of Michael’, cill meaning church. The area has been inhabited since ancient times, and there are 5,000 year-old cup-and-ring rock markings in the area.

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History 1

Much of Argyll was settled by Scots from Ireland

in the early medieval period,

and the early kings of Dalriada were crowned at Dunadd, a fort that lay in the barony lands. Likely the first recorded reference to Kilmichael was in 1240 in a charter of King Alexander II and Gillascop MacGilcrist.

1865 OS map Argyllshire and Buteshire CLX.4. Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland. (CC-BY)

Kilmichael Glassary © Patrick Mackie (CC BY-SA 2.0)

History 2

The Campbell Earls of Argyll have been one of the most powerful families in Scotland since at least the fifteenth century

and acquired Kilmichael during their rise to power.

In 1480 King James III granted lands in Knapdale to Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll which were erected into the Barony of Kilmichael. The family were also tasked to man for the Crown nearby Castle Sween, believed to be the oldest castle on the Scottish mainland. For much of history their kinsmen, the Campbells of Auchinbreck, held the lands on their behalf.

William Aikman, John Campbell [Mac Cailein Mòr], 2nd Duke of Argyll and Greenwich, 1680 - 1743. Soldier and statesman | National Galleries of Scotland

History 3

Archibald, 8th Earl of Argyll and his son Archibald, later the 9th Earl

both opposed the religious policies of King Charles I

and fought against him during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, 1638-1652. With the execution of the king in 1649 by the English, they went on to support the new King Charles II of Scotland.

The Church, Kilmichael Glassary © Rich Tea (CC BY-SA 2.0)

History 4

The 9th Earl opposed the accession of the Catholic King James VII and II

and was found guilty of treason.

He escaped from Edinburgh Castle and fled to the Netherlands. In 1685 he returned to Scotland to raise a rebellion, but was captured and executed. His lands were for several years forfeit to the Crown; however, his son Archibald Campbell, 10th Earl of Argyll, accompanied William of Orange on his successful invasion in 1688 and was restored to the family lands and titles. He was elevated to the Dukedom of Argyll in 1701.

Unknown, The Order of Battel [sic] in Scotland (deployment of British Government troops and Dutch and Swiss auxiliaries on their advance to Perth in... | National Galleries of Scotland

History 5

His son John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll rose to the rank of Field Marshal of the British Army

and led government forces to victory against the Jacobites at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715.

He was succeeded by his brother Archibald, a founder of the Royal Bank of Scotland, who also fought at Sheriffmuir. He, in turn, was succeeded by his cousin John Campbell, a general in the British Army who was then succeeded by his son John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll. He had been a Lieutenant Colonel of the 54th Regiment of Foot and fought against the Jacobites at the Battle of Falkirk in 1746. He was later an MP, Commander in Chief in Scotland and was made Field Marshal in 1796. His descendants were successful politicians through the nineteenth century, and John, 9th Duke of Argyll was also Governor General of Canada and married Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria in 1871.

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