CAMPBELTOWN

"A parl. and royal burgh, par., and seaport, Kintyre, Argyllshire, 11 miles NE. of Mull of Kintyre, 83 SW. of Glasgow, 131 SW. of Edinburgh, and 384 NW. of London -- par., 44,220 ac., pop. 9755; parl. burgh, pop. 7558; royal burgh, -- pop. 5070; P.O., T.O., 3 Banks, 2 newspapers. Market-day, Friday; was the original seat of the Dalriad Scots; has 22 distilleries; is the rendezvous of hundreds of fishing-smacks and wherries, and possesses considerable export trade in whisky, herrings, sheep, and cattle. (For shipping statistics, see Appendix.) The sea-loch, at the head of which it stands, forms a splendid natural harbour. On the old and new pier heads are fixed lights seen 2 miles. The burgh unites with Ayr, Irvine, Inveraray, and Oban in returning 1 member to Parliament."

Extracted from Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles, 1887