1. Lady Runcie Campbell
By Nicole and Alex

2. Summary of her Character
Her father was a judge and raised her to uphold Christian values and treat everyone in an equal and just way.
She is married to a baron named Sir Colin Runcie-Campbell. He does not agree with treating their inferiors with the level of respect that she does.
Her position as a baron’s wife conflicts with her Christian morals and she struggles with this inner conflict throughout the novel.
Her two children embody the two different sides of her personality. Roderick embodies her Christian persona while Sheila upholds the ideals of a baroness.

3. Social Class
After being kicked out the beach hut Neil says “we could have perished in the storm, for all she cared, was that not murder”
Lady Runcie Campbell says it is her “duty” to recognise those such as the cone gatherers as “inferiors”.
“among his equals”
When Roderick is stuck up the tree Lady Runcie Campbell insists that Graham go to “fetch the men from Ardmore.” to come help Roderick down

4. Christianity
Her father had passed down “a passion for justice, profound and intelligent” and taught her she should do the just thing “even at the expense of rank or pride.”
“associated religion not with the smell of pinewood pews or of damp bibles, but rather with her perfume”
Duror neglected to shave his face but that “did not diminish” Lady Runcie-Campbell’s sympathy for him as she recognises the difficulties in his life.
She showed concern for the cone gatherers’ welfare as she remembered to ask how their hut turned out after Duror convinced her not to allow them the use the beach-hut.

5. Inner Conflict
“Are we being unfair to this poor wretch?” she asked. “After all, he is deformed, and a simpleton… But he does seem to be abnormal. Heaven knows what may go on in his mind.”
Lady Runcie Campbell feels it is her duty as a Christian and as the Lady of the land to go visit Peggy but struggles to not “shudder and show disgust” when she visits.
When the cone gatherers refuse to come with Graham to rescue Roderick, Lady Runcie Campbell says “I’m going to fetch the cone gatherers myself”

6. Roderick Challenging her Actions
Roderick inherited the Christian righteousness of Lady Runcie-Campbells father and is said to have an air of “tenderness and sincerity” even when speaking to his inferiors.
While arguing with Lady Runcie-Campbell about giving the cone gatherers a lift he reminds her they had previously “carried dogs” in their car and that “humans are more important than dogs”.
When Lady Runcie-Campbell is complaining to Tulloch about the deer drive incident Roderick challenges her saying that what she’s doing “isn’t fair”. He also uses her own words against her when he says “You said yourself he didn’t want to take part in the deer drive”.

7. Realisation
As she makes her way to the cone gatherers to ask for their help in saving Roderick, Lady Runcie Campbell thinks about her reasons for hating the cone gatherers, “As a mother, as a landowner, as a Christian even, surely she was justified? Yet not for a second of that dreadful journey to the Point did she convince herself.”
The fear of losing Roderick has brought her to her senses as she feels “Fear, anxiety, love, sorrow, regret, and hope… but not anger”