Clan Campbell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Campbell |
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| Na Caimbeulaich | |||
Crest: On a boar's head erased fessways erased Or, armed Argent, langued Gules
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| Motto | Ne Obliviscaris ("Forget Not") | ||
| Slogan | Cruachan! (from the mountain) | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Highlands | ||
| District | Argyll | ||
| Plant badge | Bog Myrtle | ||
| Pipe music | "The Campbells Are Coming" (also known in Scottish Gaelic as "Baile Inneraora") | ||
| Chief | |||
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| Torquhil Ian Campbell | |||
| The 13th Duke of Argyll (Mac Cailein Mór) | |||
| Seat | Inveraray Castle | ||
| Historic seat | Castle Campbell | ||
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Clan Campbell (also known as Na Caimbeulaich in Scottish Gaelic) is a very old and powerful Highland Scottish clan. For a long time, it was one of the biggest and strongest clans in the Highlands. The main lands of Clan Campbell are in Argyll, a region in Scotland. The famous mountain Ben Cruachan is also found there. The leader of the clan eventually became known as the Earl of Argyll, and later the Duke of Argyll.
Contents
History of Clan Campbell
Where Did the Campbells Come From?
The Campbell clan's story begins with the ancient Britons from a place called Strathclyde. The first Campbell we know from records is Gillespie, whose name appeared in 1263. Early on, the Campbells received land in central Scotland.
Their connection to Argyll came when a Campbell married a woman from the O'Duine family. She brought with her the Lordship of Loch Awe. Because of this, the clan was first called Clan O'Duine. Later, they were called Clann Diarmaid. This name came from a hero in old Celtic mythology named Diarmuid the Boar.
The very first home of Clan Campbell might have been Innis Chonnell Castle on Loch Awe. Or it could have been Caisteal na Nigheann Ruaidh on Loch Avich. The clan quickly grew powerful across Argyll. But at first, the Campbells were under the control of the Lord of Lorne, who was the chief of Clan MacDougall.
In 1296, the MacDougalls killed the Campbell chief, Cailean Mór (Colin Campbell). This happened at the Battle of Red Ford. After this, all future chiefs of Clan Campbell took the Gaelic name MacCailean Mór. This means 'Son of Colin the Great'.
Between 1200 and 1500, the Campbells became one of Scotland's most important families. They were very strong in Argyll. They also had influence from Edinburgh all the way to the Hebrides and the western Highlands.
Fighting for Scotland's Freedom
In the early 1300s, Colin Campbell's family strongly supported King Robert the Bruce. They gained a lot from his victories. They received new lands, titles, and good marriages. In 1314, the Campbells fought for Scotland against England. This was during the Wars of Scottish Independence at the Battle of Bannockburn.
Throughout the 14th century, Clan Campbell quickly gained more land and power. This growth happened partly because Sir Neil Campbell (who died in 1316) was very loyal to Robert the Bruce. As a reward, Sir Neil married Bruce's sister, Mary. The Campbell family was also close to the Stewarts and the Bruces.
Sir Neil was a strong friend of Robert the Bruce. He was given many lands that had been taken from Clan MacDougall. These lands were also taken from other enemies of the Bruces in Argyll.
Royal Connections and Growing Power
The Campbells continued to support the Scottish Crown in the 15th century. By the end of this century, the power of the Lord of the Isles (the chiefs of Clan Donald) was broken. They had been the Crown's biggest rivals. This made the Campbells the main power in the area.
From this time on, the Campbells became the central authority. This shift in power might be why the Campbells and MacDonalds became old enemies.
The descendants of Sir Duncan Campbell, 1st Lord Campbell and his wife Lady Marjorie Stewart are related to Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland. They are also related to Robert II Stewart, King of Scotland. Lady Marjorie Stewart (born around 1390) was the daughter of King Robert II's son, Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany. This means that all descendants of Sir Duncan Campbell and Lady Marjorie Stewart are related to Robert I Bruce and many early Scottish kings.
The title of 1st Lord Campbell was created in 1445. In the late 15th century, the Campbells became even more important in Scotland. King James I of Scotland tried to weaken the Albany Stewarts and their allies. But Duncan Campbell, 1st Lord Campbell, avoided the same fate as his Albany relatives. Many of them were executed or sent away.
Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll was given the title of Earl of Argyll in 1457. He later became Baron of Lorn. He also received lands in Knapdale. These titles and land grants showed that the Argylls were a major force in Scotland.
In 1493, the MacDonalds lost their title as Lords of the Isles. The Campbell lords likely saw themselves as the new leaders of the Gaelic people. These were the people of the Hebrides and western Highlands. The Campbell lordship remained a very important place for Gaelic learning and culture.
In the Battle of Knockmary in 1490, men from Clan Campbell and Clan Drummond worked together. They defeated Clan Murray. This battle was also known as the Massacre of Monzievaird. In 1499, Campbell of Inverliver defeated Clan Calder at the Battle of Daltullich. Sir John Campbell, the younger son of the Earl of Argyll, later received the Calder estate and Cawdor Castle. He got them by marrying Muriel Calder, the heiress to the estate.
16th Century Clan Conflicts
In 1513, the 2nd Earl of Argyll and many of his clan members were killed. This happened at the Battle of Flodden.
The Battle of Langside took place in 1568. The chief of Clan Campbell, Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll, led the forces fighting for Mary, Queen of Scots.
In 1567, there was a conflict between Clan Campbell and Clan Arthur. Duncan MacArthur and his son were from the Loch Awe MacArthur family. They became very successful, which made their neighbors jealous. During a fight with Clan Campbell, they were drowned in Loch Awe. Records from Inveraray Castle in 1567 show that the Campbells of Inverawe were pardoned for this event. It became known as the "drowning of Clan Arthur." It is believed the MacArthurs were forced into the loch while trying to defend themselves. Many centuries later, in the 1970s, an old sword was found on the shore of the loch.
For two centuries, from the mid-1400s, the Clan Gordon and Clan Campbell were very powerful. The Gordons controlled the northeast of Scotland, and the Campbells controlled the west. They were important leaders between the Scottish Highlands and Scottish Lowlands. In 1594, Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll was given a special order against George Gordon, 6th Earl of Huntly. But Argyll was defeated at the Battle of Glenlivet.
17th Century and Civil War Times
The Campbells were rewarded for supporting the government. In 1607, Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll, received the lands of Kintyre. These lands used to belong to the MacDonalds. In 1615, Campbell of Cawdor was allowed to buy the Isle of Islay. This island had belonged to the Macleans of Duart.
At the Battle of Inverlochy (1645), the Scottish Covenanter forces were led by Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll. They were defeated by the Royalist forces of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. Montrose's army was mostly made up of Scots from Clan MacDonald, Clan Maclean, and others from Ireland. After the battle, Montrose and the Macleans burned Castle Campbell. However, the castle remained owned by the Campbells. After the Battle of Inverlochy, Clan Lamont took the chance to raid Campbell lands. The Campbells, seeking revenge, also attacked the lands of Clan Maclean. The Macleans had fought against them at Inverlochy. Soon, the Maclean's Duart Castle surrendered.
In 1648, at the Battle of Stirling (1648), the Covenanter forces of Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll, were defeated. They were fighting against the Covenanter forces of Sir George Munro, 1st of Newmore. Munro supported the Earl of Lanark. William Campbell of Glenfalloch was killed in this battle while fighting for Argyll.
In 1672, a disagreement happened between Clan Campbell and Clan Sinclair. George Sinclair, 6th Earl of Caithness had to give up his titles and lands because of debt. He gave them to Sir John Campbell. Campbell took over the lands when Sinclair died in May 1676. He was made Earl of Caithness the next year. Sinclair's heir, George Sinclair of Keiss, disagreed with this. He took the land in 1678. This led to the Battle of Altimarlech on July 13, 1680. Clan Campbell fought Clan Sinclair and won. A legend says that so many Sinclairs were killed that the Campbells could cross the river without getting their feet wet. After failing to get his inheritance back by force, Sinclair of Keiss went to court. He became Earl of Caithness on July 15, 1681. His lands were returned on September 23. Campbell was made Earl of Breadalbane as a way to make up for it.
In 1678, Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll, led the Campbell militia to the Isle of Mull. They took Duart Castle from Clan Maclean. However, Argyll was executed on June 30, 1685. This was for his part in Argyll's Rising. This rising supported the Monmouth Rebellion to remove the Catholic James VII and II from the throne. It aimed to put the Protestant James, Duke of Monmouth, in power. Later, in 1692, Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll, again took control of the Maclean's Duart Castle.
In 1692, 38 unarmed people from the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed. This was known as the Massacre of Glencoe. The government wanted to stop Jacobitism. This event also got mixed up with the long-standing feud between Clan MacDonald and Clan Campbell. The killing of the MacDonalds by soldiers, led by Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon, was a big problem. The soldiers had been guests of the MacDonalds for over a week. This went against Scottish law and Highland traditions. Most of the soldiers were not Campbells. But a list from a few months before included six Campbells besides Captain Robert Campbell. These were Corporal Archibald Campbell, Private Archibald Campbell (elder), Private Donald Campbell (younger), Private Archibald Campbell (younger), Private James Campbell, Private Donald Campbell (elder), and Private Duncan Campbell.
18th Century and Jacobite Uprisings
The 1715 Jacobite Rising
During the Jacobite uprisings of the 1700s, Clan Campbell supported the British Government. On October 23, 1715, the chief, John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, learned that rebels were passing by Castle Campbell. They were heading towards Dunfermline. He sent out a group of cavalry. They attacked the rebels and defeated them in what is now called the Skirmish of Dunfermline. They took many prisoners and had only a few injuries themselves.
A month later, British Government forces, including men from Clan Campbell, fought and defeated the Jacobites. This happened at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715. However, a small number of Campbells did join the Jacobites. They were led by the son of Campbell of Glenlyon. His father had led the government troops at the Massacre of Glencoe 22 years earlier. These two families then made peace. They swore to fight together as brothers at Sheriffmuir. But the British Government forces, led by chief John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, defeated the Jacobites.
The Black Watch Regiment
In 1724, General Wade reported on the Highlands. He estimated that 4,000 men from the clan supported the government under the Duke of Argyll. Another 1,000 men under Campbell of Breadalbane had supported the Jacobites in 1715. In 1725, six special Highland companies were created to help the government. Three were from Clan Campbell, one from Clan Fraser of Lovat, one from Clan Munro, and one from Clan Grant. These companies were known as Reicudan Dhu, or Black Watch. The official army regiment was formed in 1739. It was called the 43rd Regiment of Foot. They first gathered in 1740, at Aberfeldy.
The 1745 Jacobite Rising
Just before 1745, Clan Campbell had about 5,000 men. During the Jacobite rising of 1745, Clan Campbell continued to support the British Government. They fought against the Jacobite rebels at the Battle of Falkirk (1746). Government forces were defeated there. However, soon after, the Campbells successfully defended Fort William during a siege. The Jacobites were defeated there. The Campbells were also involved in the Skirmish of Keith around the same time.
At the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the Jacobites were finally defeated. On the government side, four companies from the Campbell of Argyll Militia fought. Also, three companies from Loudon's Highlanders, led by Lieutenant Colonel John Campbell, were there. One company from the 43rd Highlanders, led by Captain Dugald Campbell of Auchrossan, also took part.
Castles of the Campbells
Many castles have belonged to Clan Campbell over time. Here are some of them:
- Inveraray Castle in Argyll is the current home of the Chief of Clan Campbell. The beautiful castle you see today was built in 1743. It replaced an older castle from the 1400s. It has a "clan room" with information for Campbell clan members.
- Castle Campbell, originally called Castle Gloom, became Campbell property through marriage. It passed from Clan Stewart to Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll, who renamed it. During the Civil War, it was burned by General Monk for Oliver Cromwell. The Clan Ogilvy are also said to have burned it. This was in revenge for the burning of Airlie Castle.
- Innis Chonnell, this might have been the very first home of Clan Campbell.
- Kilchurn Castle was the home of the Campbells of Glenorchy. The lands first belonged to the Clan MacGregor. But they went to the Campbells of Glenorchy, who built or rebuilt the castle. The castle was made stronger after being damaged by the MacGregors in the late 1500s. Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy, known as Black Duncan of the Seven Castles, built many castles. These included Kilchurn, Achallader, Loch Dochart, Finlarig, Balloch (Taymouth), and Edinample. In 1654, the Campbells held out against a two-day siege at Kilchurn Castle. This was by General Middleton, who was retreating from Cromwell's forces.
- Achallader Castle, was the home of Sir Duncan Campbell of Glen Orchy. He got it in 1590.
- Finlarig Castle, was another home for the Campbell of Breadalbane part of the clan.
- Edinample Castle, was another home for the Campbell of Glenorchy part of the clan.
- Taymouth Castle, was first built by Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy around 1580. It was known as Balloch Castle. The current building was built between 1801 and 1842. It includes parts of the original castle's cellars.
- Saddell Castle was owned by the Campbells from the late 1600s onwards.
- Torosay Castle, built by John Campbell of Possil in 1858.
- Castle Sween was given to Colin Campbell in 1481 when he became the first Earl of Argyll. But it was captured by the MacDonalds in 1647.
- Carnasserie Castle, has belonged to Clan Campbell since the 1500s.
- Kilmartin Castle, passed to the Campbells in 1674.
- Ardkinglas Castle.
- Auchenbreck Castle, held by the Campbell of Auchinbreck branch of the clan. It was taken down by 1870.
- Cawdor Castle, was originally the home of the chiefs of Clan Calder. It later passed to the Clan Campbell of Cawdor.
- Loudoun Castle in Ayrshire, is a large house from the early 1800s. It includes parts of a 15th-century castle. This castle was first held by the Clan Crawford. It passed to the Campbells in the 1300s through marriage. This branch of the Clan Campbell came from Donald Campbell, the second son of Colin Campbell of Lochaw. John Campbell, from another part of the clan, was made Earl of Loudon in 1641. In 1650, the castle was given up to General Monk for Cromwell after a siege that damaged it. The earl took part in Glencairn's rising to support Charles II of England in 1653. John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun, fought for the British during the Jacobite risings.
- Lesmoir Castle
- Castle and Lands of Auchruglen - East Ayrshire.
Campbell Tartans
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Even though many fabrics are made with the Campbell tartan patterns, the clan chief officially recognizes only four:
- Campbell or Old Campbell: When it's in darker colors, it's usually called the Black Watch tartan. It's also known as the Government sett. The Black Watch was first formed in 1695. Their job was to stop cattle smuggling in the Highlands. Later, in 1725, General Wade made them a militia. After 1707, they became the first Highland regiment in the British Army. All Campbell tartans are based on the Old Campbell tartan. Many other clan tartans are also based on it. The Black Watch version is still used by several military groups in the Commonwealth.
- Campbell of Breadalbane: This is the tartan for the Campbells from the Breadalbane and Glenorchy parts of the clan.
- Campbell of Cawdor: This is the tartan for the Campbells from the Cawdor part of the clan.
- Campbell of Loudoun: This is the tartan for the Campbells from the Loudoun part of the clan.
George Campbell, 6th Duke of Argyll, added a white line to his tartan. He did this to show that he was the clan chief. He was the only one in his family to do this. But this tartan is still known as "Campbell of Argyll." However, it is not officially recognized by the clan, like any other tartan not listed above.
The Clan Chief
Torquhil Ian Campbell holds many important titles. He is the 13th Duke of Argyll, Marquess of Kintyre and Lorne, Earl of Argyll, Campbell and Cowal, Viscount Lochawe and Glenyla, and Lord Campbell, Lorne, Kintyre, Inveraray, Mull, Morven and Tyrie. He is also Baron Sundridge of Coombank and Baron Hamilton of Hameldon. He is the 6th Duke of Argyll in the peerage of the United Kingdom, and a Baronet of Nova Scotia.
He is also the Hereditary Master of the Royal Household in Scotland. He is the Hereditary Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland. He is the Hereditary Keeper of the royal castles of Dunoon, Carrick Castle, Dunstaffnage Castle and Tarbet. He is the Admiral of the Western coasts and isles. Most importantly, he is the Chief of the Honorable Clan Campbell. The chief's Gaelic title is Mac Cailein Mòr, which means 'Son of Colin the Great'. Campbell is also the hereditary High Sheriff of Argyllshire. He is a member of the Queen's Body Guard for Scotland. He is also a member of the Royal Company of Archers.
Branches of the Clan
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The Clan Campbell has many different branches, which are like different family lines within the larger clan. Some of the main branches include:
- Campbell of Aberuchill
- Campbell of Ardkinglas
- Campbell of Argyll (the main line)
- Campbell of Auchinbreck
- Campbell of Barbreck (Old)
- Campbell of Barcaldine
- Campbell of Breadalbane and Holland
- Campbell of Carrick Buoy
- Campbell of Cawdor
- Campbell of Craignish
- Campbell of Dunstaffnage
- Campbell of Duntroon
- Campbell of Gartsford
- Campbell of Glen Lyon
- Campbell of Glenorchy
- Campbell of Inverawe
- Campbell of Inverneill
- Campbell of Kenmore and Melfort
- Campbell of Lochnell
- Campbell of Loudoun
- Campbell of Lundie (Old)
- Campbell of Marchmont
- Campbell of Ormidale (Old)
- Campbell of Otter (Old)
- Campbell of Possil
- Campbell of Skipness
- Campbell of Strachur
- Campbell of Succoth
See also
- Ane Accompt of the Genealogie of the Campbells
- Campbell of Argyll Militia
- "The Campbells Are Coming"
