Campbell Land

Thursday:

The sun came out today! Early risers get the worm-or a good breakfast before heading off to Argyll and Bute, Campbell territory. My dad's middle name is Campbell, his grandmother's last name. They're a relatively easy family to track down in Scotland's history, so that's why I was able to visit the lands of these ancestors. On the way to their castles, we did a quick detour in Glencoe, where the Campbells massacred the Macdonalds, one of their rival clans. The MacDonalds had delayed in giving their allegiance to the king, and so some officials took advantage of the Campbell's hatred for the MacDonald clan to punish the MacDonalds. The Campbells went to the MacDonalds' home, stayed several days there, and then at dawn a shot went off. Many died from gunshot wounds, more died from exposure in the snow covered mountains. It's one of the more shameful parts of our history.

Next, we stopped in a country church to take photos in the cementary. I believe I'd been driving the guys crazy wanting to visit a cementary to read the epitaphs and last names. This one was full of Campbells and MacDonalds.

After driving through barren land and spotting some deer, we arrived at Loch Awe and Kilchurn Castle, now in ruins, in a high spot partially surrounded by the lake and the other half by low wetlands. It was built by Colin Campbell, the same man who built a castle earlier in Inveraray our next stop. Inveraray is the seat of the Campbells, one of the most powerful clans in Scotland and still and powerful family. When we toured the new castle, the guide recognized my scarf and asked if I was a Campbell. Why, yes, at least partially, I happily replied. What history and stories the family has! I hope to be able to see where my family more specifically comes from, but I'm not sure I ever will because I'm sure to be occupied with other tasks.

After the castle visit, we went to jail. Isma had murdered someone (not his fault) and I'd stolen a pie. I'm not sure what Ricardo and Marcos had done; they didn't talk much about it. Just kidding. :) We actually went to the Inveraray Jail, a museum detailing the history of the jail system in Scotland. I highly recommend it. For supper, Scottish Pie with baked beans. Mmmmm. The darkness fell as we drove away from my ancestral lands, and I as usual, fell asleep in the car on the way home.