CASTLE AND GARDENS closed until 27th March 2025
The Campbell history is intertwined closely with that of Scotland itself. Here are some of the key dates:
Campbell TimelineScottish History
Scots defeated Vikings attempting to invade
Earliest known Campbell – Gilleasbaig of Menstrie, father of Cailean Mor
Cailean Mor (Great Colin) knighted and established at Loch Awe
Treaty between King John Balliol of Scotland and King Philippe IV of France promised mutual help against English and start of ‘Auld Alliance’
Cailean Mor killed in a skirmish with the MacDougall’s at the String of Lorne
William Wallace defeated after battle of Stirling Bridge. Executed.
King Robert the Bruce crowned
Bruce defeats MacDougall’s in Pass of Brander. Dunstaffnage Castle taken and placed under a Campbell constable
King Robert the Bruce fought English in Wars of Scottish Independence
Battle of Bannockburn – Campbells fought with Bruce and defeated Edward II
Family rewarded with marriage between Mary (Robert the Bruce’s sister) and Sir Niall Campbell. Their son, John Campbell, was created Earl of Atholl and was killed 1333 at the Battle of Halidon Hill
Treaty of Edinburgh recognising Scotland’s Independence and ending 30 years of Wars of Independence
University of St Andrew’s founded
1st Lord Campbell created
First Inveraray Castle built
Colin Campbell created 1st Earl of Argyll
2nd Earl given title of Master of the Royal Household in Scotland. Title still held by the Duke today
Battle of Flodden Field. King James IV killed
2nd Earl killed fighting the English along with many of his clan
Mary Queen of Scots born
Mary Queen of Scots crowned at Stirling Castle
Battle of Pinkie Cleugh. Battle sparked by English demands that Mary Queen of Scots should marry Edward VI of England. Scotland defeated.
John Knox starts the Reformation in Scotland
Mary Queen of Scots marries the French Dauphin
John Knox appointed first Protestant minister in Scotland
Mary Queen of Scots (widowed and now married to Darnley) gives birth to future King James VI
King James VI crowned (aged 13 months) in Holyrood. Earl of Mar is regent
Battle of Langside – Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl commanded forces who fought for Mary Queen of Scots
King James VI is crowned King of Great Britain and Ireland in Westminster Abbey
Guy Fawkes is arrested
Union Flag adopted as flag for England, Scotland and Wales
Earl of Argyll has Royal Grant of Kintyre
King James VI dies
Charles I crowned in Westminster Abbey
King Charles I withdraws from Scotland and new Independent Scottish Parliament formed
King Charles I initiates Civil War with Parliament (Roundheads) vs. Royalists( Cavaliers)
8th Earl/Marquess of Argyll leads the Covenanters opposed to Charles I. Inveraray invaded by Royalists under Montrose and surrounding area is devastated.Young Irish Harpist murdered in State Bed of the MacArthurs of Loch Awe, now in the MacArthur room. One of the many ghosts which allegedly haunt the castle today.
Argyll’s pursuing army is destroyed by Montrose at the Battle of Inverlochy. Argyll escapes
Charles I executed
Charles II proclaimed King in Scotland (not England)
Charles II crowned King of Scotland in Scone (last coronation on Scottish Soil)
Argyll places crown on King’s head
King Charles II crowned in Westminster Abbey
Argyll expects reward but is instead executed
King James VII/II crowned
9th Earl leads abortive rebellion in Scotland, along with Monmouth’s rebellion in England. Attempt fails. Argyll captured and executed
King James deposed Glorious Revolution
10th Earl raises Regiment for the Crown, The Earl of Argyle’s Regiment of Foot
William and Mary become joint Sovereigns of United Kingdom
Massacre of Glencoe
Bank of Scotland founded by Act of Scottish Parliament
Darien expedition to Panama. Ultimately crippled the Scottish economy and triggered the dissolution of the Scottish Parliament.
10th Earl granted Dukedom of Argyll
Queen Anne Crowned
Act of Union of English and Scottish Parliaments
2nd Duke of Argyll in command of Government forces defeats Jacobite army at Battle of Sherrifmuir ending rebellion.
George I crowned
2nd Duke of Argyll granted Dukedom of Greenwich (title lapsed as no male heirs)
John Vanbrugh asked to design plans for a new residence in Inveraray to befit the Dukedom
Black Watch Regiment formed
Royal Bank of Scotland formed
King George II crowned
Rob Roy McGregor dies
Robert Adam designs Charlotte Square, Edinburgh
3rd Duke of Argyll inherits Dukedom. Another distinguished soldier, he leaves the army for politics and subsequently becomes Lord Justice General of Scotland. Plans to develop the garden and surrounding policies implemented. Over the next 40 years the ‘Watch Tower’ at the top of the hill, the Doocot, Frew’s Bridge amongst others constructed. Sections of the River Aray canalised and cascades set in place to enhance the sound of flowing water.
Charles Edward Stuart lands on Eriskay, the start of the Jacobite Uprising
Battle of Culloden, Charles Edward Stuart defeated
Foundation stone of the castle laid
‘Colonel Jack’, later 5th Duke commands Argyll Militia at Culloden
Carrying of weapons and wearing tartan forbidden
Colin Campbell ‘Red Fox’ of Glenure shot in Appin. Story made famous in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped
George III crowned King
4th Duke of Argyll inherits title
5th Duke of Argyll inherits title
James Boswell and Dr Samuel Johnson write about their tour of the Highlands
Linnell designs the furniture in the castle
Robert Mylne designs State Dining Room plasterwork
Glasgow Herald Newspaper first published
5th Duke orders the displays of arms in Armoury Hall still seen today.
State Dining Room painted by Girard and Guinand.
First lighthouse in Scotland opened
Inveraray Castle completed
Sir Duncan Campbell of Lochnell raises Argyleshire Highlanders for the 5th Duke. They later become the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Robert Burns dies
6th Duke inherits title
George IV crowned
George IV’s visit to Scotland arranged by Sir Walter Scott. The King’s decision to wear Highland dress caused much ridicule, but made tartan popular again
William IV crowned
Walter Scott dies
Victoria Crowned
7th Duke inherits title Worked hard to restore the family fortunes and reputation
Edinburgh Waverley station opened
8th Duke inherits title. A successful politician, Cabinet minister and author of scientific and scholarly works, Duke gives Isle of Iona to the Church
Highland clearances
David Livingstone reaches Victoria Falls in Africa
Queen Victoria buys Balmoral Estate
Neil Monro, author of Para Handy, born in Inveraray
Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s 4th daughter, marries the Marquess of Lorne (will become 9th Duke) Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt designs entrance porch to castle known as Paddington Station
Alexander Graham Bell patents the telephone
Major fire at Inveraray Castle. Architect Anthony Salvin employed to repair and improve damaged building. Conical towers added to the turrets and third floor.
Forth Road Railway Bridge completed
9th Duke inherits title. He became Governor General of Canada. Lake Louise and Alberta both named after Princess Louise
Queen Victoria Dies
Edward VII crowned
George V crowned
1st World War (ends 1918)
10th Duke inherits title. Duke Niall was something of a scholarly recluse and an expert on the history of the clan and family
John Logie Baird sent the World’s first TV picture
Edward VIII succeeds and abdicates (to marry Wallis Simpson)
George VI crowned
2nd World War. First air-raid on Britain targeted Royal Naval vessels at Rosyth in the Firth of Forth, nearly hitting the Forth Rail Bridge
Clydeside hit by Blitz
Inveraray becomes chief training area for the Combined Operations
11th Duke inherits title. A gallant officer taken prisoner with most of the Highland Division in France in 1940, his predilection for cafe society recalled his predecessor the 6th Duke
Queen Elizabeth II succeeds
Queen Elizabeth II crowned
Inveraray Castle opened to the public for the first time
Huge supplies of oil and gas found on Scottish shores.
Marriage of Ian, future 12th Duke of Argyll to Iona Colquhoun of Luss
Birth of Torquhil Ian Campbell, the present Duke
12th Duke inherits title
Second major fire at castle. Top storey of Castle destroyed.
Scottish Parliament
13th Duke, Torquhil Ian Campbell inherits title
Marriage of 13th Duke to Eleanor Cadbury
Birth of Archie Frederick, Marquess of Lorne
Birth of Lord Rory James Campbell
Birth of Lady Charlotte Campbell
King Charles III Succeeds
King Charles III Crowned