Following the Reformation in 1560 Scotland became a Protestant nation and the old Catholic church was banned. Many Catholic families fled to the Continent. Anyone continuing to celebrate mass or follow any Catholic practices were severely dealt with. Penalties included execution, imprisonment, or banishment. During this period of huge upheaval one constant force was the rule of the Stuart dynasty. Stuart Kings had ruled Scotland from 1371 claiming the authority of God to do so. The dynasty was interrupted only by the occupation of Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth forces from 1652 until 1658.
After the death of Cromwell, the Commonwealth occupation weakened. To avoid the threat of anarchy Parliament invited the exiled King Charles II to return. In 1660 King Charles II was restored to the thrones of Scotland, England, and Ireland. Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll, a Royalist, was restored to his father’s titles and estates by the King in 1663. Archibald was totally committed to the reign of Charles II. But he was also totally committed to the Protestant church. A dangerous combination.
If the King continued to support the Protestant church the circle was squared. However, any disruption of this sensitive balance would spell trouble. In 1681 King Charles II approved a Scottish Test Act which required all holders of public office and peers to swear an oath of allegiance to him and the Protestant Presbyterian church. Archibald swore his allegiance to the King if it did not impact on his Protestant faith. This was tantamount to not taking the oath and he was arrested for treason, confined to Edinburgh Castle as a prisoner, and had his estates confiscated.
Archibald was now in a dangerous position facing the prospect of execution. Help came in the form of Sophia Lindsay, his stepdaughter. Bravely, she walked her stepfather out of his cell in Edinburgh castle disguised as her page. Archibald fled to London where sympathizers facilitated his escape to France and onward to Holland.
By early 1685 Archibald had spent over three years in exile in Holland. His days were now spent scheming with other displaced Protestant aristocrats and sympathisers. Their mission was to invade Scotland, prevent the succession of the King’s brother, the Catholic James VII, and install a Protestant monarchy. He was also aware that a successful rebellion would better enable him to regain his forfeited estates and titles.
Together they constructed a two-pronged plan of attack. Archibald was to invade Scotland, raise an army and attack Government forces. This would divert the military to Scotland leaving Monmouth to invade the South of England and be the main force of this pincer movement. Archibald would invade in early May and Monmouth would follow him two weeks later.
The voyages were not invasions but strategic manoeuvres depositing the key leaders and military resources in place ready to raise an enthusiastic local army. Archibald published a “call to arms” to his tenants and clansmen to rise and join him in accordance with their personal and clan obligations.
“I do hereby Command all my Vassals everywhere, and all within my several Jurisdictions, with defensable[1] Men in their Commands, to go to Arms, and to join with us according to the said Declaration, as they will be answerable at their Perils, and to obey the particular Orders they shall receive from me, from time to time.” “Argyle Declaration read in Parliament February 1685” [Ref: http://www.archives.parliament.uk]
While the plotters dithered in Holland King Charles died at Westminster on 6th February 1685 and his brother became King James II and VII on 23rd April 1685. The death of Charles II was a cataclysmic event as the Protestants’ worst fears were now realized. The nightmare had become a reality inflamed by rumours that there would be additional European support for a catholic king. Any challenge would have to take place immediately before the new King became established and supported by European allies.
Archibald assembled his three ships containing his troops, ammunition and supporters. The sea route from Amsterdam to Argyll would cover over one thousand nautical miles and take ten to twelve days. The flotilla was to cross the North Sea, sail up the east coast of Scotland and around the north of Orkney. The route would then move southwest through the Minch and on to Argyll. Archibald expected to be met by hundreds of his eager clansmen.
They sailed from Holland on the 2nd of May 1685. Immediately the flotilla experienced severe weather crossing the North Sea. They lost their bearings on 6th May approaching Orkney and found themselves in a fog in the Pentland Firth. In 1685 navigation would be by the sun and stars at night. They would have had no accurate knowledge of their longitude. The ships took shelter in Scapa Flow off the coast of Orkney. The invasion was now out in the open. Local spies passed the news back to the Government forces giving them time to prepare to oppose them. Royal Navy frigates were despatched to the West Coast.
Hostile Scottish nobles occupying “Campbell” lands and castles were also given time to stiffen their tenants resolve not to support their former chief. On 10th May the flotilla sailed down the northwest coast and through the Minch in a violent storm. The next day strong westerly winds drove the ships to the Sound of Mull. They went ashore at Tobermory and stayed three days to gather support. Archibald only managed to recruit around three hundred men. This turnout was less than he expected.
Archibald’s invasion plans were exposed, his family imprisoned, and the Scottish establishment given time to prepare their opposition. The Marquis of Atholl had occupied his lands and held Inveraray castle. Over one thousand Royalist men were assembled ready to oppose any landings.
Charles Campbell, Argyll’s son, was sent ashore at Oban. Argyll carried his own printer to publish his call to arms. All “fencible” men were to report for duty. Failure to do so would lead to extreme punishment. At Dunstaffnage Castle, he sent a clansman ashore to take the fiery cross, the “Crann Tara” across the clan lands. Few responded.
On the 19th of May the Argyll Uprising was debated in Parliament. King James II attended and personally charged Argyll and his supporters with “Usurpation and Tyranny.”[2] They sailed from Islay and reached Campbeltown on the 22nd of May. The invasion force mustered there. The planned destination was Inveraray and the Clan Campbell castle at the head of Loch Fyne. The shore party again raised the fiery cross as the historic signal for Campbell men to arise and follow their chief. Only about one hundred rallied to the call.
Archibald had overlooked the consequences of his long absence of over three years. His clansmen and tenants had been left to fend for themselves. Men of the Atholl clan now occupied Campbell lands and castles. The Scottish Privy Council authorised Atholl to “take savage action against Argyll and his forces.” They were to “destroy, kill, disable this “desperate rebel”[3]. The Argyll Rising was in plain sight, and the Royalist forces had time to plan and launch a counterattack.
Archibald and his small flotilla sailed from Campbeltown on the 24th of May. On 27th May the convoy arrived at Tarbert heading for Loch Fyne. Royal Navy Frigates were already in the Loch and prevented them sailing north to Inveraray.
The Campbell fleet regrouped on the 30th of May and returned through the Kyles of Bute towards Loch Fyne. The Royal Navy again blocked their access and the flotilla diverted into Loch Riddon, a sea loch with a mixture of deep and shallow draught. Archibald believed the Navy frigates could not follow him into the shallow loch.
This was a huge mistake as they did sail after him and blocked off his only exit to the sea. The rebellion was now cornered. The only option left was to take to the land. They unloaded all their munitions and stores into a Campbell castle on the island of Eilean Dearg. His son Charles led one party through Glendaruel and up to Ardkinglas where they fought and recovered the Campbell Castle there.
By 11th June Archibald was now in the worst possible position. His limited support was deserting every day. All their military assets were stranded on half an acre of island. To make matters worse the Duke of Atholl’s men were advancing rapidly towards them. The only “good news” was that Monmouth had finally arrived in England, four weeks late following storms in the English Channel.
Their latest plan was to head for Glasgow and hope to raise the Presbyterians in the city. Dumbarton and all the countryside around were in Royalist hands. Archibald crossed the Clyde and continued eastward to Glasgow. He was recognized by the local militia and arrested. The militia marched him to Edinburgh where he was sentenced to death on the old 1681 charge that he refused to comply with the Test Act. At Edinburgh Castle he joined his wife for the last time on the day of his execution. He submitted to execution by beheading on the 30th of June 1685.
Archibald’s head was placed on a spike at the Tolbooth in Edinburgh. His body was interred at Newbattle Abbey, his birthplace. In 1703 his son, Archibald the 1st Duke of Argyll died. The following year both father and son were reunited. Their remains were transferred to the Campbell Mausoleum at Kilmun.
The two sailed together by boat from Glasgow. Campbell lairds, pipers, and family members accompanied the small fleet. They received a gun salute as they sailed past Dumbarton[4]. Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll had finally come home.
A retired Human Resources Consultant, now living in the seaside town of Dunoon in county Argyll, I am interested in the rich local history and have the privilege of being a volunteer with the Argyll Papers in Inveraray. The Argyll Papers are the archives of the Campbells of Inveraray from the 14th century to date. I am also a guide at the Campbell Mausoleum in Kilmun, the resting place for the Earls and Dukes of Argyll and their wives from the 1400s. I am fortunate to have such access to original material. “Argyll’s Rising” resonates with me as the Earl’s sea journey ended nearby. I recently stood on the shores of the stunning Loch Riddon and admired the island, Eilean Dearg where the Earl’s ships were moored for the last time.
References
Clark, Sir George. “The later Stuarts 1660 – 1714”. 1964. Pages 116 – 120
Hume, Sir Patrick. “Narrative of the Earl of Argyle’s Expedition.” Marchmont Papers. Volume III, 1831
Keay, Anna. “The last royal rebel.” 2016. Pages 327 – 363
Kishlansky, Mark. “A monarchy transformed 1603 – 1714.” 1996. Pages 266 – 272
Love, D. “The Covenantor Encyclopaedia.”2009. Pages 25 -26.
Lynch, M. “Scotland: A New History.” 1991. Pages 291 – 299
Macleod, J. “Dynasty: The Stuarts 1560 – 1807.” Pages 329 – 332
Paterson, R.C. “No tragic story – the fall of the House of Campbell.”2001. Pages 93 – 138
Prebble, J. “The Lion in the North.” 1971. Pages 267 – 269
Images
Portraits of Archibald Campbell, King Charles II & VII and Duke of Monmouth are in public domain in Wikipedia Commons and located in the National Portrait Gallery
Fiery Cross is Wikipedia Commons
Eilean Dearg Island photograph was provided by author
[1] Defensable – men capable of defending. https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/defensabill
[2] Acts of the Parliament of Scotland. Volumes VII, VIII, 1820 and 1822. House of Commons Volume 2 1688 – 1695
[3] Fraser Transcripts. A36. 17.5.1685
[4] Galliard Ann. “The Mystery of the Yellow Wig.” “Friends of Argyll Papers.” 31.5.2020
