"The northern realms of ancient Caledon,

Where the proud Queen of Wilderness hath placed

By lake and cataract her lonely throne."

In that part of the Highlands known as Argyllshire
lies the ancient country of the Campbells, seagirt
on the west by the waters of the Atlantic, studded
with the countless Western Isles. Pierced by the
blue arms of the sea. Loch Etive and Loch Fyne,
and dominated by the gigantic double peaks of Ben
Cruachan, which overlook the black Pass of Brander
and the dark transparent waters of Loch Awe, the
land of the Campbells stretches in range after range
of glorious mountains, wild correis, precipitous
crags and verdant braes. It is a land of narrow
valleys, deep lochs and swiftly flowing burns, that
come tumbling down the mountain sides in many a
linn of silver flying spray. The original domain of
the Clan Campbell, the Campbells of Lochow, was,
as we have seen, the Lordship of Lochow. Their
castle of Innischonnel or Ardchonnel stood on an
island near the east side of Loch Awe. The Camp-
bells rapidly extended the territory over which they
exercised dominion, eventually supplanting the
ancient Lords of the Isles, and added to their pos-
sessions from the lands of the clans MacGregor,
MacDonald, Lamond, MacNab and MacNachtan.
