Sir Colin Campbell, 2nd Baronet

Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy (c.1577–1640) was a Scottish nobleman, 8th Laird of Glenorchy, known as a patron of the arts.

He was the son of Sir Duncan Campbell, 1st Baronet and Lady Jane Stewart, a daughter of John Stewart, 4th Earl of Atholl and Margaret Fleming. Duncan was the 7th Laird of Glenorchy, and his shrewd, ruthless dealings as "Black Duncan" had capped a spectacular rise in the family fortunes to national prominence in Scotland. He was knighted at the coronation of Anne of Denmark on 17 May 1590,[1] and later acquired a Nova Scotia baronetcy.[2][3]

James VI invited him to the baptism of Prince Henry in 1594, asking him to bring venison and wild fowls. Anne of Denmark gave him a round gold jewel set with 29 diamonds and 4 rubies, and ring with 4 diamonds and a large heart-shaped diamond. A similar round jewel is listed in her 1606 inventory. The factor of her Dunfermline estates, Sir Henry Wardlaw of Pitreavie, lent him 7,000 merks. In 1609 he sent eagles to Prince Henry in London, and the Prince sent him a stallion in return.[4]

Colin Campbell was a man of general culture, and devoted much effort rebuilding and decorating Balloch Castle. He employed a German artist and George Jamesone to paint a series of portraits for it.[5] The German artist painted male ancestors, and Jamesone made a series of Ladies of Glenorchy, eight portraits of wives of lairds.[6] He also improved Barcaldine Castle.[7]

He married Juliana Campbell, daughter of Hugh Campbell of Loudoun and Margaret Gordon. Childless, they fostered Archibald Campbell (later 9th Earl of Argyll).[5][8] This fostering repeated in the next generation that of Archibald's father Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll, who became Clan Campbell's head, and had been happily fostered (a custom of the period, but also with political ramifications within the clan) by Duncan Campbell.[2]

His titles passed on his death to his brother Robert.[3]