Tom nan Ragh (The Hill of the King) - Holy Loch, South Cowal, Argyll

Ойын-сауық

Tom nan Ragh is a small wooded hill at the top of the Holy Loch in Cowal. Hidden in plain sight its easy to miss, but hidden under those tall trees lies a rich history that reflects the story of this area stretching back for centuries.
The top of the hill hides the romantic ruin of an 18th century burial enclosure for the MacIver Campbells of nearby Ballochyle. It was built by Alexander Campbell of Ballochyle in 1763 for his daughter, Susan and still contains his memorial to her, weathered by time.
This video has three sections - exploring the history of Susan and Alexander Campbell and the MacIver-Campbell dynasty who erected the mausoleum, before examining the root of the hill's name (Tom nan Ragh has evolved from Tom nan Righ, 'the hill of the king) and its meaning in the medieval and early medieval periods.
A visit to Tom nan Ragh offers a window into South Cowal (and Dunoon's) fascinating past.
2:16 - MacIver-Campbell mausoleum
10:19 - The medieval period and Alexander II's invasion of Cowal
21:23 - The early medieval period and the dark age kings
Please be respectful if you visit the site (and take care not to scare any livestock in the field).

Пікірлер: 15

  • @jonelkins1195
    @jonelkins1195 Жыл бұрын

    I visited this place when I lived there as a teen, and the US navy was there. The gate on the ground was still standing and in order back in 86-91. Wonderful place and I truly miss being there.

  • @OurCampbellConnections
    @OurCampbellConnections2 жыл бұрын

    Great video, thanks for the efforts to share it with us!

  • @lackenhauser
    @lackenhauser3 жыл бұрын

    This was excellent. Drove past here for 3 years while in the US Navy....interesting for sure!

  • @invisiblegnome4459
    @invisiblegnome44593 жыл бұрын

    really enjoyed that, thanks

  • @georgemacdonald8899
    @georgemacdonald8899 Жыл бұрын

    Stayed in for Dunoon for a year(sixth year@Dunoon Grammar), never got any Scottish history, it is a vast subject. The more I read, the more I find to read... Was wondering if you have dug up any history of Glen Massan and Benmore, I managed to get a nice day hike up the glen and onto the hills and swim in the river, beautiful spot on a nice day. Very interesting story about the hill, never even new it was there!

  • @cowalhistory7598

    @cowalhistory7598

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks, George - I had a similar experience to yourself in school and didn't get much in the way of Scottish History. Its only as I've gotten older that I started to read into it, and like you it seems the more I find out, the more I realise I don't know! Work commitments and family life has meant the channel has taken a bit of a back seat for a little while but I'd love to get back on it. There's a good story about Glen Massan in the Glen Massan manuscript, believed to have been penned by the monks at Kilmun Church in the 14th century. Hopefully get something out on it at some point!

  • @JACK_TheAllSeeingEye
    @JACK_TheAllSeeingEye3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this! I am descended from Mary Ann Ure of Ballochyle and Ralph Clark(e) m.1873 through their child John Thomas. Note: Its my belief that the original Campbell was a French knight given fiefdom over a Scots clan as reward for service following the Norman Invasion. Married into Clan Iver......ergo...all Campbells are a sept of MacIver...but few MacIvers were Campbells. Many MacIvers were forced to take the name Campbell...and other unrelated famies as well....all to swell potential ranks for the king. Some Ballochyle MacIvers were appalled at Campbell behaviour and refused to take the name....and hid the fact by dropping the MAC...and the Gaelic version of the truncated name became URE. Some insisted on the hyphenated form of MacIver-Campbell to ensure that the clan never forgot its origins. This I believe to be the true meaning of the clan mottos. SLAINTE!🤘✨⚡🍁

  • @cowalhistory7598

    @cowalhistory7598

    3 жыл бұрын

    @JACK The All-Seeing Eye thanks for your comments! When I was researching into this video I got a window onto the complex relationships between the MacIvers and the Campbells through the years. They must have been frosty neighbours!

  • @iainmaciver2417

    @iainmaciver2417

    3 ай бұрын

    Hi, I am the chairman of the Clan Maciver Society and just came across this interesting video recently. The vice-chair and I recently visited the sites staying later at the Loch Melfort Hotel, in the heart of the ancient Clan lands at Asknish Bay.

  • @JACK_TheAllSeeingEye
    @JACK_TheAllSeeingEye3 жыл бұрын

    Many MacIvers believe themselves to be of royal viking blood.....the 'Grandsons of Iver'. Iver being (arguably) Iver-the-not-really-Boneless...eponymous ancestor through his daughter Laliva to the dynasty of the Lords of the Isles (and other kingdoms), largely regarded as a kingdom in its own right for 800yrs or so.....and hence the MacDonalds motto....who claim a common ancestor. ....again thanks!🍁🍁🍁🍁 ps...although Iver Crom was granted lands as reward, it is documented that Clan Iver was a long time and well established family...trusted...from whom the King chose his "Ost" in the taking of Argyll from Somerled.

  • @maureenbeattie1729
    @maureenbeattie172911 ай бұрын

    As pronounced, "Tom nan ra" could be Tom nan ramh, which would mean "Hill of the oars " . Since "Dal an long ard" "the place of the tall ships " is at the foot of the hill, maybe the crew took the oars up the hill once they were moored there so that nobody could steal their galley. Just a thought..

  • @cowalhistory7598

    @cowalhistory7598

    11 ай бұрын

    That is an excellent suggestion! Thanks for your comment!

  • @dinahcalderon9316
    @dinahcalderon9316 Жыл бұрын

    My mother is the niece of Alistar mcIver Campbell the last person buried here. We just finished a gentle restoration of the site and put a gate back up. Do you offer tours of the area? Are there other sites in Dunoon to visit that are related to the estate of Ballochyle? We are visiting in July

  • @cowalhistory7598

    @cowalhistory7598

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for getting in touch! Its great to hear the site is being cared for so that these places survive for future generations. I haven't led tours myself before, however there are two areas I would point you towards: Historic Kilmun are a group of volunteers that conserve the nearby Kilmun Church. They curate the adjoining Campbell Mausoleum where the Dukes of Argyll are entombed. They are very active in organising heritage events for the area and for clan Campbell's diaspora. If you haven't already, check out their website and make contact. Kilmun Church is staffed by volunteers and open several days each week through the summer. Castle House Museum in Dunoon is a small, yet charming museum of local history that houses extensive records of our area. They will certainly have documents covering your relatives. They are volunteer run and open throughout July. If you contact them in advance, they may be able to prepare something for your visit. If you're interested in digging deeper, try joining a Facebook group called 'Dunoon in old photos' and make a post about your links to the area. There are quite a few local historians with encyclopaedic knowledge of the area - it would be a great way to make contact and find out more. Finally, if you're UK based and have access to BBC iPLayer, the recent 'Who do you think you are?' episode on Bear Grylls brought him to Dunoon and Kilmun as they traced his lineage back to the local Campbells - you might find it interesting viewing. All the bet with your search!

  • @JACK_TheAllSeeingEye
    @JACK_TheAllSeeingEye3 жыл бұрын

    Oddly enough....Im also descended from the bloodline of Ancient Family Duncan....tainist to Family Alpin. Crinan, Abbot of Dunkeld m. Beothoc, eldest daughter to the last of the Alpin dynasty and House of Dunkeld was formed with the birth of their son Duncan I of Scotland. Crinan was oldest of three brothers. The youngest was..uh..Duncan!...eponymous ancestor of Clan Irvine. My moms side. ....ok im done

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