TheScots Kingdom

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The crest of the Campbell chiefs is a boars head. The boar was originally an emblem of the mother goddess, like the Galley, and may have come to the Campbells when they inherited Lorne through heiresses who descended from the Old Norse sea-kings of the House of the spirit Freya. But a boar is carved on the ancient rock of Dunadd, in the inauguration place of the early Kings of Argyll. And the Chief of Clan Campbell is also Duke of Argyll and Marquis of Lorne ultimately because of his royal descent in the female line from the ancient Kings of Argyll.

No clan has ever Aroused stronger passions then the Campbells. Around the world,people who have never visited Scotland and are vague about its history always remember one thing: the massacre by the Campbells of the Macdonalds of Glencoe and the resultant hatred between the two names. Again,in the romantic mythology which has grown up around the Jacobite rebellions and the tragedy of Culloden, the Campbells gain no glory. They were on the winning side and winners are not always popular. In general, the the controversy surrounding the Campbells arises from the fact that, almost uniquely among Highland clans, they came to an early accommodation with the forces of modernity and centralized government which the rest of Gaelic Scotland resisted. The geographical location of their lands, too, favoured compromise with Lowland institutions. So the Campbells abandoned the sword as a means of expansion in favour of litigation-- a devise feared and despised by the conservative Highlanders-- and advanced their fortunes by political acumen. It was inevitable that their sophisticated pursiut of self-interest should be seen as treachery by their less prosperous rivals who envied their success. Undoubtedly they were successful, to a degree that gave them an influence over national politics that was greater than any other clan ever enjoyed. The Campbells might be admired by a few, or hated by many: they could never be ignored.

It has often been claimed that the Campbells are the oldest of the Highland clans, but it would be impossible either to prove or disprove this theory on the slender evidence available. Certainly they are a very ancient house, descended from the clann Dhuibhne, whose earliest ancestor was called Diarmad.

Known as the race of Diarmid, the Clan Campbell was for centuries a most powerful influence in Argyll and the West of Scotland. In the 13th century Archibald Campbell obtained the lordship of Lochow through his marriage with the daughter of the King's treasurer, and for a long period thereafter the Campbells of Lochow formed one of the chief branches of the clan.

Sir Colin, of Lochow, the progenitor of the Campbells of Argyll, was knighted in 1280, and from him the chief of the Argyll family recieved the designation, MacCailean Mor, retained by the Dukes of Argyll till the present day. His descendant Sir Duncan was created a peer by the King James II in 1445, and Duncan's grandson Colin was created Earl of Argyll in 1457. Archibald, his son, who was Lord High Chancellor,was killed at Flodden in 1513.

Archibald, 5th Earl, although a prominent Reformer, commanded the army of Queen Mary at the battle of Langside, while his brother Colin supported the young king. Archibald, 7th Earl, commanded the army which was defeated by the Earls of Huntly and Errol in 1594. His son was the leader of the Covenanters. He was created Marquis in 1641, but in spite of his loyalty was beheaded in 1661. His son Archibald was also beheaded for his part in the Monmouth rebellion. Archibald, 10th Earl, returned with William of Orange, and by him was elevated to a Dukedom. John, 2nd Duke of Argyll, was created Duke of Greenwich in the peerage of the United Kingdom.

DAIRMID O'DUINE is generally regarded as the founder of the clan Duibhne or Campbells, and in 1368 a Crown Charter acknowledges Duncan MacDuibhne as progenitor of the Campbell lords Lochow. Duncan appears to have lived in the reign of Alexander II. and, according to tradition, Eva O'Duibhne, heiress of the line, married the first Campbell and carried with her the chiefship of her tribe.

The real founder of the family of Argyll was Cailean Mor, from whom the chief gets his patronymic of MacCailean Mor.This Colin was slain at Ath-Dearg (red Ford),in Lorn,1294. The early titles were de Ergandia and Lords of Lochaw.

Sir Colin Campbell (Cailean Iongantach) succeeded his father, Sir Archibald who died in 1372. He died in 1413, and was succeeded by his son, Sir Duncan, who was Lord Campbell prior to 1427. He died in 1453.

Archibald Roy succeeded his father, and was succeeded by his son, Colin, who was created Earl of Argyll in 1457. He died in 1493, and was succeeded by his son Archibald, 2nd Earl of Argyll, who fell at Flodden, He was succeeded by his son, Colin, 3rd Earl of Argyll. Archibald, his son, succeeded him. He died in 1558, and was succeeded by his son, Archibald, who died without issue in 1575, and was succeeded by his brother, Colin, 6th Earl of Argyll. Archibald 7th Earl, reduced the Macgregors in 1603. He was succeeded by Archibald, his son, in 1638 as 8th Earl. He was created Marquis of Argyll in 1641. He was beheaded in 1661. His estates, after being forfeited, were restored to his son, Archibald, with the title of Earl of Argyll. For the part he took in the monmouth rebellion he was he was beheaded in 1685. He was succeeded by his son, Archibald, 10th Earl, who was created a Duke in 1701. He died in 1703, and was succeeded by his son, John, 2nd Duke of Argyll and Earl of Greenwich. He died in 1743. He was succeeded by his brother, Archibald, 3rd Duke, who died 1761. Having no issue, the title developed on his cousin, General John Campbell of Mamore. He died in 1770, and was succeeded by his son, John, 5th Duke, who died 1790. He left two sons- George 6th Duke, who died 1839; and John 7th Duke, who died in 1847, leaving George, 8th Duke, who died 1900. He was thrice married, and by his first wife had issue five sons and seven daughters. He was succeeded by his eldest son, John George Edward Henry Douglas Sutherland, born 1845, who married Princess Louise in 1871. His nephew, Sir Niall Diarmid Campbell, became 10th Duke in 1914 and is Hereditary Master of H.M Household. His seat is Inveraray Castle, and he is Keeper of the Royal Castles of Dunoon, Carrick, Dunstaffnage, and Tarbert. Dunstaffnage and Saddell are held under him by his races of herditary Captains.

The Dukes were also Hereditary Lords Justice General and are still Admirals of the Western Coasts and Isles of Scotland.

NOTE ON THE CLAN CAMPBELL TARTAN

The ordinary Campbell tartan is green, black, and blue, arranged in the same pattern as the tartans of the black watch and Argyll and Sutherland regiments. This has been laid down by a succession of chiefs, and they and most of the Campbell families of Argyllshire have worn such tartan for very many years, though not neccessarily all in the same shades and colours. The late Lord Archibald Campbell, a noted authority, discussed, in his records of Argyll, questions about his clan tartan, and explained that the yellow and white stripes shown in books and in shops were introduced for his own personal wear by the sixth Duke, George, on the ground that they were part of the insignia of the chief. The seventh Duke, John, sometimes wore the white strip, but never the yellow one, and usually the "plain Campbell tartan," which has been worn, to the exclusion of any other, by all his successors. The declarations and practice of the chiefs appear to settle any present day attempt at controversy. Whether in the eighteenth century the Black Watch tartan adopted the Campbell tartan, or the Campbells adopted the Black watch tartan, and how ancient, if at all, the present pattern is, are different questions which could be, and have been, argued at length, without the disputants making much headway.

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