John Francis Campbell Monument

A prominent memorial on the summit of Cnoc an Dal, a half-mile (0.8 km) south of Bridgend in Islay, the John Francis Campbell Monument comprises a grey granite obelisk on a square base enclosed by painted railings. Overlooking Loch Indaal, the monument is visible from all three of the roads which converge on Bridgend from the south of the island. It was raised by the local community in 1887 in memory of John Francis Campbell (1821-85), who was brought up at Islay House. Alongside a bronze relief sculpture of Campbell, there are inscriptions in English and Gaelic:

John Francis Campbell
of Islay
an Eminent Celtic Scholar, Linguist, Scientist and Traveller.
A true and patriotic Highlander.
Loved alike by Peer and Peasant.
By his "Popular Tales of the West Highlands,"
"Leabhar na Feinne,"
and other literary works,
he preserved and rendered classic the
Folk-lore of the Scottish Highlands
He lies buried at Cannes, in France:
his memory lives in the hearts of his countrymen
Born 1821 Died 1885

and

Iain Og Ile,
fìor Ghàidheal, sàr-dhuin'-uasal, agus àrd sgoileir,
a choisinn urram agus cliù anns gach cearn.
Ged nach do shealbhaich e oighreachd aithrichean,
shealbhaich e gràdh nan Ileach,
agus bithidh a chuimhne buan-mhaireann am measg Chlanna nan Gàidheal.

"An sòlas togar suas an càrn
Gun deòir gu làr mu chloich nan treun,
Sona an t-òg treun a thriall,
Mu'n cluinnear cliù fo chiar a' Bhàis." -- Ossian

which can be translated as:

Young John of Islay,
a true Gael, a great gentleman, and a gifted scholar,
who won honour and fame in every field.
Although he did not inherit the estate of his forefathers,
he inherited the love of Islaymen,
and his memory will be long-lasting among the Gaels.

"With gladness let the cairn be raised,
No tears upon its stone will fall
For happy is the brave now gone,
Whose virtues shine through Death's dark pall.” -- Ossian

The monument had to be replaced after it was blown down in a storm in 1911.

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