Castle Campbell

Situated on a narrow ridge between two ravines at the foot of the Ochil Hills, the castle which bears the name of one of the most powerful clans in Scotland was originally build for John Stewart, Lord of Lorn around 1430. The original tower structure, common to many Scottish castles of the time, was damaged by fire in 1466 by Walter Stewart following the murder of his kinsman and the ensuing feud over the estates with Colin, 1st Earl of Campbell who had married John Stewart's eldest daughter Isabel in 1465 and had as a result acquired the castle and lands of Gloom.

The Campbell's rise to prominence had begun in the Wars of Independence where they had allied themselves to Robert Bruce and had subsequently been instrumental in the dismemberment of the empire of their sworn enemies, the MacDonald Lord of the Isles. Colin himself had been a major contributor to the Crown's defeat of the Black Douglases in 1455, for which he had been belted earl in 1457 by James II. Under James III, Campbell became Master of the Household, a post which required a secure and impressive residence in the heart of the kingdom. Gloom was perfect and so a period of rebuilding and improvements began, including construction of the east range which included a great hall. In 1489, the newly crowned James IV granted the petition to change the name of the castle. Further enhancements to the castle were made. Around 1500, Archibald, 2nd Earl of Campbell built the south range. The 7th Earl, also Archibald, had the entire courtyard elevation of the east range rebuilt around 1590.

The Campbell's were strong supporters of the Protestant cause, and as seemed inevitable the castle was drawn into the political and religious turmoil that ensued following the the signing of the National Covenant in 1638. On their way to victory at Kilsyth in 1645, the royalists marched through Dollar and Muckhart devastating the surrounding lands but the castle remained in Covenanter hands.

In September 1650, Oliver Cromwell's English army defeated the Scots at Dunbar. Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquis of Argyll who had personally place the crown on Charles II head on New Years day 1651, switched sides and joined in welcoming Cromwell as Lord Protector of Scotland. The castle's end came in 1654 when royalists, furious with the treachery of Campbell in letting Cromwell's army use it as a base, razed it to the ground. Campbell may have planned on repairing the damage but he never got the chance. In 1661 he was executed for treason. The castle was abandoned by his son, who was allowed to retain the family's earldom and while it was briefly garrisoned during the 1715 Jacobite Rising it was sold in 1805, ending the long connection with the Clan Campbell.

I've noticed a lot of reflection and reminiscing going on in blipland recently and I thought that this would be a good opportunity for me to do the same. Today's trip, in absolutely glorious sunshine took me back to the days of my childhood. My dad, a teacher, used to take a group of senior students down to Bargrennan farmhouse in Dumfries and Galloway during the summer and for many years these became our family holidays. Tramping though Dollar Glen and up the Ochil hills today reminded me very much of those days wandering through the trails of Glentrool. Happy memories...

Being a townie, I forget how spectacularly beautiful this little island of ours really is. Over the last few months many of you have reminded me through your wonderful images but it isn't really brought to life until you experience it for yourself. I'm very jealous of you guys who have this on your doorstep and I would urge anyone wandering by the blip (and making it this far) to venture out whenever you can to take it in for yourself. It truly is amazing!