With the exception of the holdings around Couston, which was Lamont land, Colintraive was held by the Campbells of Eilean Greig. Between 1710 and 1720 General Peter Campbell bought the lands of Achnabreck, Stronafian and Ardachuple and built the mansion house at Southall. His descendents extended the estate over the next 200 years.
The family had a strong military tradition. General Peter Campbell served with the Duke of Marlborough in France, his nephew, the next laird, fought under the Duke of Cumberland during the Jacobite rebellion of 1745/6 and was a juror at the trial of James of the Glen. The fifth laird, Colonel Duncan Campbell, served in the Crimea and the last laird, Lieut. Colonel E.P. Campbell fought at Tel-El-Kebir*, the battle that brought British influence to Egypt until Suez. His son, Captain Duncan Campbell was killed in Flanders in 1915.
The family played their part in the local community.
“On Tuesday evening the school children and their parents were invited to Southall House by Colonel and Mrs Campbell. After tea the children were brought to the library where a lovely tree, decked with all manner of pleasing and suitable presents, stood. After the tree was disrobed and each one had received a present, the children had games, in which Lieutenant Campbell, who had recently returned from the front and the Misses Campbell took active part.”
‘Dunoon Observer’, January 1901.
In the middle of the 19th century the estate and its farms remained the focus of the Colintraive economy. Sporting lets also provided income and the Southall moors provided, “As many as 1,600 brace of grouse killed on the estate in one season and 100 to150 brace of black game, mostly blackcock,” ‘Estate Sale Brochure’
By last the quarter of the 19th century many of the old estate owners in Argyll could no longer afford the upkeep of their lands. The last laird, Lieut. Colonel E. P. Campbell had to take the hard decision to sell Southall and the Estate was put up for auction in London in July1913.
Tel El Kebir by William Topaz McGonagall
With an army about fourteen thousand strong,
Through Egypt he did fearlessly march along,
With the gallant and brave Highland brigade,
To whom honour is due, be it said.
