Sir Duncan Campbell, 1st Lord Campbell of Auchinbreck & Kilmichael, was granted considerable estates which were confirmed to him by royal charter on 6 July 1452. Sir Duncan Campbell, 4th Lord of Auchinbreck (aft 1540–1594) was appointed Captain Of
Sween Castle in 1546. His lands were chartered in 1546. The Castle was built in the 12th century, and had been in and out of Campbell hands at various times. One of the earliest stone castles in western Scotland, it stands at the mouth of Loch Sween and is set upon a low rocky point beside a sand beach facing south. The low ground between the site and the hills leaves the castle highly visible to those further up
Loch Sween. There is a natural anchorage nearby. When he was killed at the
Battle of Glenlivet in 1594, his son Duncan inherited the castle, which was then attacked and burned in 1644 by
Alasdair Mac Colla and has been in ruins ever since. Today, the castle is owned by the Department of the Environment and is open to the public. King James I of England (King James VI of Scotland) made the following commission to Sir Dugall Campbell of Auchinbreck in 1615. "All the lieges within the sheriffdoms of Argyle and Tarbert, were charged, by proclamation, to join the forces formerly appointed to be in readiness under Campbell of Auchin breck. That baron being liberated from prison, received a commission as Lieutenant against the Clan Donald, with the chief command over the other gentlemen employed; but the duration of his commission was limited to the arrival of Argyle, which was expected by the 6th of August. Angus Oig Macdonald, and several of his followers, were tried and condemned for high treason on the 3d of July, and executed on the 8th of that month. Their fate excited great commiseration, which was mingled with a feeling of indignation, that no steps were taken to punish the villainous conduct of the Chancellor's emissary, (Graham)." Sir Dugald Campbell of Auchinbreck, who was knighted by King James 1, and received a charter under the great seal:
"domino Dugaldo Campbell de Auchinbreck, militi terrarum de Schalmus, Halfstouk, Clansbarok, Bellicraig, &c., dated anno 1617." Dugald was a man of honor and integrity, and sincerely attached to the interests of the royal family. King Charles I created him a Baronet or Knight of Nova Scotia, by his royal patent to him and his heir-male, dated 31 March 1628. He afterwards received two charters under the great seal in 1629 and 1630:
"domino Dugaldo Campbell de Auchinbreck, militi baronetto, terrarum, ecclesiasticarum de Kilcherran, Kilinan, Kilculmemel, &c.,." Sir Duncan Campbell of Auchinbreck, 2nd Baronet and 6th Lord Auchinbreck(1597–1645), held the office of member of parliament for
Argyllshire Scotland between 1639 and 1641. He was commander of the Argyll's troops in Ireland 1641, taking
Dunluce Castle, County Antrim. He held the office of Governor of
Rathlin Island then was appointed member of parliament for Argyllshire Scotland in 1643. On 2 February 1645, he led Argyll's troops at the
Battle of Inverlochy where he was taken prisoner and murdered. Sir Dugald Campbell, 3rd Baronet of Auchinbreck (Abt 1629–1662), was granted 10,000 marks in recognition of his father's services and compensation for the destruction of his lands. He commanded his father's regiment in Ireland, but resigned his command, and declared for the King. He succeeded to the title of 3rd Baronet Campbell, of Auchinbreck N.S., in 1645, then held the office of member of parliament for Argyllshire Scotland in 1649. He did not marry and had no children. Following the
9th Earl of Argyll's failed uprising in support of the
Monmouth Rebellion, against
James VII in 1685, the castle was blown up by Royalist forces. ==Breaking Argyll's branches==