Marion Campbell

Marion Campbell (c. 16 December 1919 - 13 June 2000) was a Scottish archaeologist. She was one of the first people to complete an archaeological survey of Kilmartin Glen in Mid Argyll. Campbell was an advocate for local history; she promoted and donated to several Argyll museums and published works about Argyll's history. Campbell lived most of her life in Argyll (today part of Argyll and Bute) at her family's estate in Kilberry. She inherited Kilberry when she was 8, following her father's death. The two lived and worked together until Sandeman died in 1995, 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. Campbell moved many of the Kilberry Sculptured Stones to the basement of Kilberry Castle in 1948 to better preserve and protect them.

Campbell was passionate about and an advocate for the history of Argyll, where she lived most of her life. In the 1990s, Campbell donated her personal collection of artifacts to form the founding collection of the Kilmartin House. Campbell's account of Scottish history and pride was well-received, with three separate editions appearing in print since its original publication. She served as president of the Society from its founding until 1990. In 1971, she became the founding editor and a regular contributor to the Mid Argyll Society's journal The Kist. Campbell based the storyline from mysterious, waking dreams she had during this period.

Legacy 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.

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

Published works

(1957) The Wide Blue Road, J.M. Dent & Sons, (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, (1977) Argyll: The Enduring Heartland, House of Lochar, (1999) Alexander III King of Scots, House of Lochar, (unknown but between 1977-1988) ‘Kilberry Church and Parish’ published by Kilberry Kirk Session in aid of the Church Fabric Fund