Iver Campbell, Laird of Ardlarach

Added by Erik Meldal-Johnsen

Iver (Ewir) Campbell of Ardlarach was born about 1602 at Ardlarach in the parish of Craignish, Argyllshire to father Archibald Campbell of Ardlarach and mother Aliss (Alice) Campbell of Barrichebean, Craignish. The following is extracted from the Clan MacFarlane genealogy:-

Ardlarich was in Craignish and belonged to a branch of the MacIvers, many of whom took the name Campbell in the seventeenth century. On 18 and 21 June 1652, Iver Campbell of Asknish (who was also a MacIver) and Iver Campbell of Ardlarich witnessed the sasine on a Precept of Clare Constat to Alexander Campbell of Barrichebean. Iver the elder occurs again on 22 April 1679, but died in September 1684, his testament being given up by his son, Niall, in the names of his other children, Mr Dugald Campbell, Archibald Campbell and Anna. In my paper on the Campbells of Largachunzeon I quoted the first part of a document docketed “Neil Campbell’s Oban Pedigree” but omitted the second half as referring only to his maternal descent. This now becomes of interest, as it will be recollected that his father, John Campbell, tacksman of Ashfield, had married in October 1791, Margery Campbell of Ardlarich-Craignish, who was Dugald’s daughter. I therefore proceed to quote it:-

Genealogy of the Campbells of Ardlarich Craignish, alias MacIver.

Campbell of Ardlarich Craignish married Miss MacAlister of Loup in Cantyre. His son Dugald, married the daughter of Campbell of Asknish, in the parish of Melfort. His son Angus Campbell of Ardlarach, married Margaret Campbell, daughter of Angus Campbell of Dunstaffnage in the United parishes of Kilmore and Kilbride. Dugald, son of Angus, married Margaret Malcolm, daughter of John Malcolm of Poltalloch and Knockalva in the parish of Kilmartin.

One or two points about this document are worthy of attention. First, the number of generations carries us back to Iver of Ardlarich, who died in 1684. Secondly, it is not altogether unnatural that the Rev Dugald Campbell should have been recollected, while his brothers Iver and Niall, were forgotten, seeing that Dugald was clearly the wealthiest of the brothers. And thirdly, as regards Angus’ marriage, it is exceedingly interesting to observe how the wife’s connection with the head of the family (Dunstaffnage) was remembered, while her immediate branch (Auchinard) and even her Christian name was overlooked. This is one of the most curious points in all Highland tradition, and we see here how dependable such tradition is in the matter of general descent, and how unreliable in detail. This being so we may fairly assume that Iver of Ardlarich (1652) did marry a MacAlister of the Loup family and that one of his sons (either Dugald or Niall) married into the Asknish family.

Herbert Campbell’s research makes a point of underlining the important connection of Dunstaffnage Castle in Oban to the Ardlarach line as it was the clan seat of the mighty MacDougall clan chiefs. Dunstaffnage Castle was built as a huge fortress before 1275 on a huge rock overlooking the Firth of Lorn. The castle, with its huge curtain wall, was captured by King Robert the Bruce in 1309 and remained in royal possession for some years. Dunstaffnage also became the temporary prison for Flora MacDonald in 1746 after she helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape to France after defeat at the Battle of Culloden.

Iver Campbell married wife Anna MacLachlan and they had five known children at Ardlarach; Iver, Dugald (minister of Kilmartin), Niall (b. ~1640), Archibald and Anna. Iver Campbell of Ardlarach died about 1684 and a Testament Dative, a Will raised by a claimant executor after death, is recorded at the National Archives of Scotland as follows:-

Iver Campbell of Ardlarich, parish of Craignish, 08/02/1686, Testament Dative, Argyll Commissary Court, CC2/3/2

The following is extracted from the Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae for the synods of Argyll, and of Perth and Stirling:-

Parish of Kilmartin; Synod of Argyll 1690 Dugald Campbell, brother of Neil C. of Ardlarach; educated at Univ. of Glasgow; called in 1689; ord. 9th Jun. 1690 and 1693; died Aug. 1721. Fragments of notes made by him when a student of natural philosophy were extant in 1818 – [Argyll Tests; MS Memoir]

There are 31 items relating to Ardlarach held by the National Archives of Scotland, although not all relating to Craignish, as there were two other estates of the same name in Luing and in Perthshire. However, among the many interesting documents are as follows:-

Court of Session: CS313/632: Dugald Campbell, child of George Campbell of Ardlarach

This document looks as if it relates to a court action probably raised after the death of Captain George Campbell of Ardlarach and possibly a legal writ raised by Ellen Campbell nee McPherson to try and get title of Ardlarach for her son Dugald Campbell.

Papers of the Campbell family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments): GD112/39/134/6: D Campbell, Ardlarach in Cregnish, to the Earl of Breadalbane; [his brother]

This is a potentially important connection which does not appear to have been highlighted by Herbert Campbell’s research. The Earl of Breadalbane was one John Campbell and not identified as a son of Iver Campbell and Anna MacLachlan, but this letter appears to be from Iver’s son Dugald Campbell, who later became a minister in Kilmartin, to “his brother” the Earl of Breadalbane in 1682. In 1690 the Protestant King William of Orange defeated the mainly Catholic army of King James VII at the Battle of the Boyne, effectively ending the reign of the Royal House of Stewart on the British throne. On 27 August 1691, William offered all Highland clans a pardon for their part in the Jacobite Uprising as long as their clan chief took an oath of allegiance before 1 January 1692 in front of a magistrate. Due to dithering procrastination by King James VII in exile in France and foul winter weather Alistair Maclain, 12th chief of Glencoe, of the McDonald clan arrived late but under a letter of protection to sign the oath before Sir Colin Campbell, Sheriff of Argyll, at Inveraray Castle.

The Campbells and McDonalds had long been enemies and down in London John Campbell, 1st Earl of Breadalbane and his cousin Archibald Campbell, 10th Earl of Argyll used Alistair Maclain’s delay to exact revenge on the McDonalds. They conspired with the influential Master of Stair to get King William to sign a decree ordering the extirpation of the McDonalds. Around late January 1692 the 1st and 2nd companies of the Earl of Argyll’s regiment of foot were billeted with the McDonalds at Glencoe and were accorded full Highland hospitality. On the morning of 13 February 1692 the Campbell troops set upon the mainly sleeping McDonalds and the infamous incident became known as the Massacre of Glencoe. Alistair Maclain was killed rising from his bed along with 37 other men and 40 women and children perished through exposure when their houses were burnt down. Does the 1682 letter connect the infamous Earl of Breadalbane to the House of Ardlarach?

Copyright John McGee