Part 1

The principal family apparently lived in Cologin about three miles south of the town of Oban. An old tradition relates that the Chief had 12 strapping sons and staunchly resisted the efforts of a local laird's wife to entice one away. She therefore put an evil spell on them and there were only three left alive. The father, fearing for their safety, ordered each to fill two saddle bags of goods and he would twist ropes of heather together and they would then set out southwards from home, having loaded their belongings on a horse. They were not to stop until the rope binding the bags separated.

The rope binding the first son's bags together split at Kilmartin near Lochgilphead so he made his home there and to this day there are McCallum families in this area, most likely descendants of this son. Indeed the present Chief of the Clan, Mr. Robin N. L. Malcolm of Poltalloch has his residence at Duntrune Castle near Kilmartin at the edge of a rocky promontory on the shore, near to and overlooking Loch Crinan and having a wonderful view of the lands of Mid Argyll. The old Clan lands have the old Rock of Dunadd where the Scottish Kings were crowned prior to the Stone of Destiny being removed to Scone and later to Westminster Abbey.

The other two (sons) continued their journey southwards until the second son's rope binding broke at the village of Clachan some 12 miles south of Tarbert in Kintyre. He set up home there and to this day there are descendants of the McCallum families, as well as very old gravestones in the local churchyard.

He bade farewell to his brother, who travelled down Kintyre, passing the town of Campbeltown, and eventually saw the sea coming into view. As the sea grew nearer and the rope showed no sign of breaking, he began to fear for his life, but when he was within a hundred yards of it, the rope suddenly snapped, so he set up home at Southend, where the McCallum family have been long established as valued members of the community as millers, blacksmiths and farmers. The late Ronald McCallum was one of the foremost
pipers in the County of Argyll and was for may years personal piper to the Duke of Argyll. Dugald McCallum, Southend, was an excellent blacksmith, skilled in every branch of his trade. The School of Highland Dancing presently run by James McCorkindale and Mary McCallum, has won countless awards at Highland Games and given many thrilling performances to large audiences in many parts of the country.

There are several different spellings of the surname in the few old records which exist of the area. The name may be spelt McAlchallum or McOlchallum or McAlchallam. The prefix "al", meaning "son of" in the Gaelic language, has now been dropped. The earliest names to be found are in the List of the Rebels of 1685.

These were supporters of the Earl of Argyll in the rebellion of that year for which the Earl was subsequently executed in Edinburgh.

Gilbert McOlchallum, residing in Achadunan near the village of Clachan was listed as a rebel on the lands of the Captain of Skipness together with Neil McCallum residing at Achinbreck in the parish of Killean. After the Earl's death, most of the rebels were pardoned, having taken the oath of allegiance, and in 1692 the following were found in various places in North Kintyre, listed as Fencible men:

On the lands of Blythswood and Skipness, Duncan McIlchalame. In Killean parish at Stockadale, John McAlchallum. At Achinbreck, John McAlchallum, and at Ernikell (Arnicle), Duncan McCallum.

The search was continued by checking the Hearth Tax list of 1694 when the Government of the time levied a tax on every house having a hearth (fireplace). At that time all houses were thatched, had few windows, and an opening in the roof to allow the smoke to escape from the fire which was mainly in the centre of the dwelling. This list was found to have several places where there were McCallum families and the following are in North Kintyre, which was then considered to be in the Paris of Kilcalmonell and Lordship of Knapdale.

On Largie's lands in Kilcalmonell. The Largie familie were MacDonald's, direct descendants of the Lords of the Isles, and in posession of these lands sinse 1431:

On Skipness lands in Kilcalmonell:

Achadadunan, Scotmill and Drimnaleck are all close to one another, and can still be identified neart to Clachan.

A search of the parishes of Killean, Kilkenzie and Saddell found the following:

Some are probably the same persons listed in the earlier lists.

The writer has a photostat copy of a certificate issued in September 1770 to Gilbert McMillan and his wife on their departure to North Carolina by Kilcalmonell Kirk Session and signed by the Rev. Archibald McNeill, minister, and Iver McCallum, elder, on behalf of the Session. This was kindly donated by Mr. and Mrs. Robert McNeil, Hamer, South Carolina.

During the troubles between Great Britain and France befor 1800, all young men between the ages of 18 - 24 were obliged to register for military service under an act of Parliament of 10 July 1797. The following were found in Kilcalmonell List, compiled by Archibald Hart, schoolmaster at Whitehouse:

The varying trades of the young men are shown in this document and their Militia service continued until the Treaty of Ameins in 1803 allowed a return to a more normal life.

OLD CLACHAN CEMETERY

There is a grave stone in the old cemetery at Clachan with the following inscription: "Here lies the corps of Archibald McCallum who lived in Drimnalek and died March 1722 aged 70". This is one of the oldest graves recorded in the old part.

FAMILY GRAVESTONES IN CLACHAN OLD BURIAL GROUND

1. "Erected by John McCallum tentant at Corran and Helen Porter his spouse in memory of his father Duncan McCallum in South Crossaig who died 6th. December 17.... aged.... years."
2. "In memory of John McCallum, farmer Ardlamy, Gigha who died 1st. May 1850 aged 92 years and his wife Helen Porter who died 11th. April 1859 aged 74 years. And of their son Rober McCallum died at Rhunahaorine 19 October 1902 aged 80 years and his wife Mysie McMillan died at Culfuar 21 July 1898 aged 71 years.

3. "By Robert McCallum in memory of his son Archibald who died in infancy 1855."
4. "Erected by Hector McCallum in affectionate memory of his wives.
   Mary McCallum his first wife who died 19th. March 1852 aged 47 years. Mary Ferguson his second wife died 2 January 1877 aged 67 years. Also two sons and one daugher. The above Hecot McCallum died 13 July 1866 aged 89 years."

5. "Erected by Archibald McCallum, Clachan in memory of his father Alexander McCallum who died Feby. 1840 aged 39 years and his mother Anne McAlpine who died 1841 aged 39 years."
6. "Erected by Robert McCallum in memory of his father Robert McCallum who died 17 Decr. 1875 aged 77 years. His mother Mary McCallum died 16 May 1893 aged 85 years. His brother Dugald died 22 July 1884 aged 36 years. Also Flora McDonald wife of the above Robert McCallum died 23 April 1932 aged 73 years. The above Robert McCallum died at Putachan Farm, Bellochantuy on 14 Feby. 1946 aged 95 years."

7. "In loving memory of Archibald McCallum who died 18 June 1920 aged 77 years and his wife Helen Glen who died 22 April 1929 aged 83 years. Their son Robert who died 14 Jany. 1907 aged 27 years. Their son Archd. who died 21 April 1932 aged 57 years. Their daughter Catherine died 21 Decr. 1960 aged 84 years and their son Dugald who died on 20 December 1964 aged 80 years."