Donald Campbell was the son of Norman Campbell and Marion Morrison. Born in 1838, he lived on Pabbay until 1850, when his father obtained croft 6a Ruisgarry on the island of Berneray. However, the croft was taken for the Glebe in 1854 and the family became cottars at Quay. In the 1861 census , Donald's occupation was given as 'labourer'.