Campbell Version of the Black Fleece Story

[Craig McClay Wilson]

Alastair Campbell of Airds wrote a three-volume history of the Clan Campbell that was commissioned by the Clan Campbell Education Association. Volume 2 contains a version of "our" black fleece story. So even the Campbells acknowledge the fowl deed, although they call Donald Campbell's plot a "stratagem". Here's their version: "Donald's funeral, said to have been at Ardchattan but no identifiable stone survives there, was a grand affair.

[Kyle2 MacLea]

Indeed!

[Canadian Livingstone]

Such is the legacy of Black Donald of Airds in his dealings with his highland neighbours in the 1500's. This also from Alexander Carmichael, Carmina Gadelica Vol.2:Notes published in the year 1900. "The Barons Livingstone of Bachuill, Lismore were almoners to the Church of St. Moluag in Lismore the cathredral church of the See of Argyll and the Isles founded in 1200. They were known as deora almoners while the site of the old residence of the family is stilled called "Larach taigh nan deora", the site of the house of almoners and the brae below the house as "Bruthach taigh nan deora" the declivity of the house of almoners. These almoners were also keepers of the staff of St. Molaug, and assessors and collectors of tithes of the diocese. Whenever the custodian of the staff appeared with the staff as the emblem of his office, due obedience was given to him within his own juridiction." "Some interesting traditions are still current concerning some of the Barons and their travels and the staff of the saint which they carried about, and to which miraculous powers were attributed. The custodian of the staff of St. Moluag possessed a freehold estate for his varied services. The estate was of considerable extent, but is now reduced to a small piece of land through the fraud of "Domhull Dubh nan Ard" Black Donald of Airds. Sir Donald Campbell was the natural son of Campbell of Calder. He was an ecclesiastic when ecclesiastical affairs in Scotland changed complexion with the facility of a kaleidoscope, and Donald Campbell changed with them. When Catholicism was in the ascendant he was a Catholic, when Episcopacy superceded he was an Episcopalian and when Presbyterianism was promising he was all for Presbyterian parity. He was nominated, possibly appointed, but not consecrated, Bishop of Argyll. Donald Campbell was a man of great ability, but utterly unscrupulous as to the means whereby to attain his ends. His conduct toward Baron Livingstone of Bachuil , Baron Carmichael of Sguran, and other small proprietors in his neighbourhood, shows him to have been a man of extraordinary strategem, duplicity and rapacity." "Dr. David Livingstone was decended from these Baron Livingstone of Lismore, through a member of the family who had settled in Mull. The great traveller resembled his kinsmen and clansmen in Lismore in a remarkable manner, physically mentally and morally. The present venerable Baron Alexander Livingstone of Bachuil has been taken for his namesake. The Baron however is taller, being nearly six feet in height."

[Canadian Livingstone]

Note: Baron Alexander Livingston died in 1899 presumingly shortly before Carmichael's book I am quoting went to print in 1900. Donald

[Canadian Livingstone]

Ok I see another date of 1892 for the Carmichael book. In any event written before the 1899 death of Baron Alexander Livingstone, the current Baron's grandfather. Donald

[Jerry]

Could there have been a typo with "Campbell of Calder" ?

[Kyle2 MacLea]

I had assumed those were the same people too... perhaps someone with more knowledge can enlighten me... K=

[Jerry]

Kyle, The reason I ask if it could be Campbell of "Cawdor" is that that my 2nd Great Grandmother was Isabella "Rose" Livingstone who married Hugh Livingstone Sr. Isabella's parents were Alexander Rose of Nairn Scotland and Lilea Campbell (b.1779) of the Cawdor area near Nairn and Inverness. With me the Campbells are a common denominator with both Livingstone and Rose. Jerry

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Jerry, My understanding is that either Campbells of Cawdor or Calder is accepted usage and a quick check on the internet seems to verify that notion. regards Donald

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Jerry, The two volume history of Clan Campbell I was looking at on friday refers to Sir John Campbell of "Cawdor" and that may be preferred usage by Campbell historians. regards, Donald