Clan Campbell - FAQ

THE 13TH DUKE OF ARGYLL ~ In Scottish Gaelic, the chief of the Clan Campbell is known as "Mac Cailein Mór" meaning "Son of Colin the Great", called from his ancestor Sir Colin Campbell, Knight of Lochawe, who was killed in battle in 1294. (Pronunciation: Maa HI len more)

The Campbell tartan is sold as "Clan Campbell" or "Ancient Campbell" or even "Campbell Ancient" tartan. Offically known in Tartan Registeries as "Tartan #1". There are four patterns of tartan authorized by Mac Calein Mór. The Campbells of Breadalbane, or Campbells of Cawdor, or Campbells of Loudoun, may each wear their respective tartans. Read More

The Campbell tartan has only three (3) colors: Green, Black, and Blue. In the trade it is called "ancient" Campbell and is the same as Black Watch although generally lighter in color. The three main branches of Clan Campbell, Breadalbane, Cawdor, and Loudoun, each have their own tartan.

"Ne Obliviscaris" - Latin for "Do Not Forget" (Pronunciation: NAY ob lee vis KAR iss)

The Clan Campbell’s crest features a boar’s head in the center of the strap and buckle, framed by the motto Ne Obliviscaris, Latin for "Forget Not".

The main seat of Clan Campbell is Inveraray Castle, on the shores of Loch Fyne. The initial design was made in 1720 by Sir John Vanburgh, who designed Blenheim Palace. Inveraray Castle, Inveraray, Argyll, Scotland (Pronunciation: inver AIR y, ArGYLL).

"CRUACHAN!"  "The Campbell war cry is Cruachan! and this refers not, however, as has long been assumed, to the mountain which dominates Loch Awe and much of Argyll besided but to the farm of the same name on the west bank of Loch Awe directly opposite Innis Chonnell Castle. This is an obvious place for a rallying point. The slogan is also used by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Regiment)." ~ Alastair Lorne Campbell of Airds, Unicorn Pursuivant, A History of Clan Campbell, Volume 2, From Flodden to the Restoration (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2002), page 290. (Pronunciation: CROO a han -or- CROO a h ' n)

The Campbells originally come from Argyllshire, Scotland, the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata.Campbell castles and lands could be found in six parts (Shires) of Scotland: Argyll, Angus, Ayr, Clackmannan, Nairn and Perth. Located in Argyll, the home of the Clan Chief the Duke of Argyll, Inveraray Castle, is the must see destination for any Campbell visitor.

Campbell is a Scottish Highland Clan family name dating back almost a 1000 years. While primarily a Scottish name, there are also Irish Campbells, as well as Campbells found in the rest of the world.

Campbell is a Scottish surname—derived from the Scottish Gaelic roots cam ("crooked") and beul ("mouth")—that originated as a nickname meaning "crooked mouth" or "wry mouthed". The modern medical explanation for this facial curvature is a form of Torticollis or "wry neck". Read More

Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest and most powerful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.

"The Campbells Are Coming!" Also known under a variety of names including, in Scottish Gaelic as "Baile Inneraora", aka " The Town of Inveraray". Read More.

The Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale), sometimes called the Fir Club Moss, is the Plant Symbol of Clan Campbell.

Sir John Dalrymple, (later 1st Earl of Stair), King William III’s secretary of state for Scotland, issued the order under the king’s signature for military punishment of the MacDonalds of Glencoe and "that these miscreants be cutt off root and branch".