Marion Campbell (archaeologist)

Marion Campbell was the daughter of John Campbell and Marion Durand.[3] Campbell lived most of her life in Argyll (today part of Argyll and Bute) on her family's estate of Kilberry.[2] She inherited Kilberry when she was 8 years old, following her father's death.[3] The estate was sold to an older cousin, but Campbell regained possession of it once she turned 18.[3]

During World War II, Campbell served in the British military as part of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) and the Women's Royal Navy Service (WRNS).[2] Following her military service, Campbell returned to Kilberry where she operated and managed several farms on her estate.[3]

Campbell was involved in local politics, and she served as a district councillor as a member of the Scottish National Party for 20 years beginning in 1955.[2]

In 1954, Campbell's childhood friend Mary Sandeman moved into Kilberry Castle.[3] The two lived and worked together until Sandeman's death in 1995.[3]

Standing stones at Kilmartin Glen, where Campbell completed much of her professional work.

Between 1954 and 1963, Campbell and Sandeman completed a field survey of Mid Argyll.[4] The survey noted the locations of objects and sites that warranted further archaeological study, including standing stones, cairns, Early- and Medieval-Christian artifacts and sites, and forts.[4] The survey was published in volume 95 of the journal Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (PSAS) in 1962.[1] Campbell's work included the first survey of Kilmartin Glen; it also created direction for many later archaeological studies of Mid Argyll.[1][3]

The Kilberry Sculptured Stones in the structure built by the Ministry of Works.

Among the artifacts described by Campbell were the Kilberry Sculptured Stones, found on Campbell's estate.[4] These artifacts are dated to the Early and Medieval Christian Period and consist of 26 sculptured stones including crosses and cross fragments, grave slabs, and effigies.[5] Campbell moved many of the Kilberry Sculptured Stones to the basement of Kilberry Castle in 1948 to better preserve and protect them.[5] In 1951, she donated the stones to the Ministry of Works, which displayed them in a new, separate structure on Campbell's estate.[6]

Campbell was passionate about and an advocate for the history of Argyll, where she lived most of her life.[2] She promoted the conversion of Auchindrain Township into a museum; the museum opened in 1968 and today educates visitors about traditional Scottish farming life.[1][3][7] In the 1990s, Campbell donated her personal collection of artifacts to form the founding collection of the Kilmartin House.[1] Today known as the Kilmartin Museum, the organization educates the public about the archaeological and natural history of Kilmartin Glen, where much of Campbell's professional work was focused.[8][1]

In 1977, Campbell published the book Argyll: The Enduring Heartland which details the history of Argyll as well as Campbell's love and connection to the region.[3][9] Campbell's account of Scottish history and pride was well-received, with three separate editions appearing in print since its original publication.[9][3][2] Campbell also researched Alexander III, a Scottish king with ties to Argyll.[2] She compiled a decades-worth of research into the biography Alexander III, King of Scots, published shortly before her death in 1999.[10][2]

In 1955, Campbell founded the Natural History and Antiquarian Society of Mid Argyll, an organization dedicated to discussing, preserving, and educating the general public about the local history of Mid Argyll.[11] She served as president of the Society from its founding until 1990.[12] In 1971 she also became the founding editor and a regular contributor to the Mid Argyll Society's journal The Kist.[12]

Campbell became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1949 and an Honorary Fellow of the Society in 1988.[2]

Campbell published two nonfiction books. Argyll: The Enduring Heartland combines historical and archaeological accounts of Argyll with poetry and personal essays written by Campbell; it was published in 1977.[3] Her biography of Alexander III, entitled Alexander III, King of Scots, was published in 1999.[2]

Campbell also wrote several works of historical fiction. Her children's historical novel The Wide Blue Road was published in 1957 and was her debut fictional work.[3] It was followed by three more in the series.

The Dark Twin was set in Bronze Age Scotland; it was published in 1973.[3][13] Campbell based the storyline from mysterious, waking dreams she had during this period.[3][13] The novel was particularly popular in the United States, and in the 1990s Campbell sold the film rights.[3]

The 2014 play The Air that Carries the Weight by Rebecca Sharp features Marion Campbell as a character; the play also incorporates her archaeological and fictional writings.[14]

The Kilmartin Museum's library is dedicated to and named after Campbell.[1]

• (1957) The Wide Blue Road, J.M. Dent & Sons, ISBN 1899827846
• (1962) Campbell, M. and Sandeman, M., "Mid Argyll: an archaeological survey", Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol 95, pp. 1–125.
• (1963) Lances and Longships, J.M. Dent & Sons
• (1964) The Squire of Val, J.M. Dent & Sons
• (1965) Young Hugh, J.M. Dent & Sons
• (1973) The Dark Twin, House of Lochar, ISBN 1-899863-52-4
• (1977) Argyll: The Enduring Heartland, House of Lochar, ISBN 1-899863-82-6
• (1999) Alexander III King of Scots, House of Lochar, ISBN 1-899863-55-9