ALMOST 40 members of the Clan Campbell Society of North America paid a special visit to a site of deep ancestral significance last month.
The group of 38 gathered on Monday, July 21, to tour the Argyll Mausoleum, the final resting place of the Clan Campbell Chiefs
for over 400 years, and a monument of major historical importance in Scottish heritage.
Their arrival was marked by a stirring performance from Craig Campbell, official piper to the Duke of Argyll, who played a selection of traditional tunes, including the rousing “The Campbells Are Coming.”
Inside the church, the visitors were treated to a performance by Frank Barclay on the rare hydraulically powered organ, one of only a
few of its kind still in working condition. His musical welcome was followed by Bob Reid, who gave an engaging talk on the longstanding connection between the Campbell clan and Kilmun.
The tour also included a detailed exploration of the history of Kilmun churches, dating back to the 7th century, as well as the late medieval graveyard, where generations of local families are buried. Visitors were
particularly taken with the stunning stained- glass windows and rich architectural heritage of the site.
For many, it was a return to familiar ground. Several attendees were making their second or third pilgrimage to Kilmun. One visitor, Mike Campbell, described the experience simply: “Historic Kilmun is always the highlight of my visit to Scotland.”
