CAMPBELTOWN, a royal burgh and seaport of Scotland, Argyllshire, situated on an indentation of the coast near the southern extremity of the peninsula of Cantyre. The inlet of the sea, which forms an excellent harbour, is about 2 miles in length by 1 in breadth, and has from 6 to 15 fathoms water. The registered vessels belonging to the ports at 31st December 1852, were 21 sailing vessels of 1252 tons, and 2 steam vessels of 259 tons. During that year 752 sailing vessels of 21,512 tons, and 342 steam vessels of 44,619 tons entered; and 341 sailing vessels of 8645 tons, and 339 steam vessels of 43,954 tons left. It is supposed to be a place of considerable antiquity, though no memorial of this exists except a flat stone cross on which are a variety of figures in relief and an inscription, but no date. Popular tradition, however, has assigned it to the twelfth century. It was brought from Icolmkill, and is now elevated on a pedestal in the market-place. Prior to 1700 Campbeltown was a mere fishing village, but was then erected into a royal burgh through the interest of the Argyll family, from whom it derived its name. The parliamentary boundaries are very extensive, including the entire parish, which had in 1851 a pop. of 6880. It unites with Ayr, Irvine, Inverary, and Oban, in returning a member to parliament. The town is governed by a provost and 17 councillors. There are distilleries in the town and neighbourhood, and its whisky is much esteemed. Many of the inhabitants are engaged in the fisheries and coasting trade.