Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 21 on 10/07/2005.

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Murder most horrid

The Appin Murder still resonates more than 250 years after it happened. James Irvine Robertson explains why

1752 – Culloden was six years ago. The old culture was crushed, the rebel leaders dead or in exile, and their estates confiscated.

It should have been all over but rumours were rife of another impending landing by Prince Charles in the Highlands. Spies had reported to the government that he had slipped into London to inspect defences; he had ordered 26,000 muskets and his supporters were on alert.

So was the Duke of Argyll. His clan was the government’s bulwark in Scotland. His militia could still put 3,000 men in the field.

Forty four-year old Colin Campbell of Glenure was one for whom the new regime brought advancement. Aone-time officer of the Black Watch and the Argyll Militia, he was government factor, the manager, of the forfeited estates of Stewart of Ardsheal and the Cameron lands of Lochaber.

He did his best to be fair. In fact more than fair, turning a blind eye to his deputy, James Stewart, known as James of the Glen and brother to the exiled Stewart chief, who collected rents and passed them on to his family.

Nonetheless, Campbell’s job was bound to make him unpopular for he was representative of the conquerors.

On the 14th May, the factor, his nephew Mungo and a couple of servants had been collecting rents in Lochaber. They crossed Loch Linnhe into Argyllshire and rode up the track into the woods above the loch.

Without warning a shot rang out from behind. Campbell was struck, fell from his horse and died.

The crime was appalling – shot in the back, a cow.....

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By James Irvine Robertson

Section : Scottish History

Page number : 20