Clan Campbell of Breadalbane
Clan Campbell of Breadalbane (Campbell of Breadalbane Tartan)
Gaelic Name: Caimbeul
Crest: A boar’s head erased, Proper
Motto: Follow Me
Origin of Name: Gaelic Caimbeul, from cam (wry) and beul (mouth)
Badge: Wild myrtle, Fir club moss
Lands: Breadalbane
1. Campbell of Breadalbane History
The Campbells of Breadalbane hold a prominent position in Scottish aristocracy, second only to the House of Argyll.
Sir Duncan Campbell, also known as the Knight of Lochow and the 1st Lord Campbell, fathered Colin, famously dubbed ‘Black Colin of Glenorchy’, with his wife Lady Marjory Stewart.
Colin inherited Glenorchy from his father after ousting the MacGregors from the land. He further solidified his status by marrying one of Lord Lorn’s daughters, securing a significant portion of the Lorn estate.
Colin's gallantry during a Crusade to Palestine earned him the title of Knight of Rhodes. In 1440, he erected Kilchurn Castle as the Campbell family's primary residence.
Subsequent generations of the family demonstrated remarkable prowess in expanding their landholdings, acquiring territories such as Finlarig, Glenlyon, and regions spanning Argyll and Perthshire.
In 1603, Sir Colin of Glenorchy orchestrated a strategic campaign, leveraging his aristocratic connections to instigate the proscription of the MacGregor clan, forcibly removing them from Glenstrae near Kilchurn.
By 1625, ‘Black Duncan’, the 7th of Glenorchy, was granted a baronetcy.
Then, in 1681, Sir John, the 11th of Glenorchy, earned the title of the 1st Earl of Breadalbane. Described as “cunning as a fox, wise as a serpent, and slippery as an eel,” Sir John exemplified the shrewdness and astuteness characteristic of the Breadalbane lineage.
When William of Orange ascended to the throne in London in 1688, a delegation from Scotland approached him, offering him the crown of Scotland.
With Argyll overseeing the ceremony, William pledged "to eradicate all heretics and adversaries to the true worship of God, as determined by the true Kirk of God, from the lands and kingdom of Scotland."
At that time, the Campbells had already set their sights on the Catholic MacDonalds of Glencoe.
Dalrymple of Stair influenced King William to authorize the infamous massacre, while the 1st Earl of Breadalbane received public funds to appease other Highland chiefs, albeit with some coercion.
The Earl adeptly concealed his involvement in the massacre from the authorities, but the Breadalbane family has faced misfortune ever since.
The ancestral family stronghold lies in ruins, and even the more recent Taymouth Castle has been divested.
2. Campbell of Breadalbane Tartans
The tartan known as Campbell of Breadalbane initially surfaced as 'Breadalbane' in the Cockburn collection dating between 1810 and 1820. This collection, assembled by Sir William Cockburn, stands as one of the earliest compilations of tartans.
There's speculation that its origins might predate this period, potentially copied from a plaid held by the Captain of Dunstaffnage at Dunstaffnage around 1750.
In tartan terminology, 'ancient' typically signifies lighter dye shades, while 'modern' colors tend to be darker.
Threadcound K/6 B18 K18 G18 Y4 G18 K/18
Campbell of Breadalbane Ancient
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Campbell of Breadalbane Modern
3. Clan Campbell of Breadalbane Crest & Coats of Arms
3.1 Clan Campbell of Breadalbane Crest
Worn by all of the name and ancestry
Crest Description:
A boar’s head erased, Proper
3.2 Clan Campbell of Breadalbane Coat of Arms
A note on Coats of Arms:
Under Scottish heraldic law, a coat of arms is awarded to an individual (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). There is no such thing as a ‘family coat of arms’. The arms represented below are personal arms (with the above exceptions). Only the individual granted these arms has the right to use them.
EARL OF BREADALBANE
(Campbell of Glenorchy) The arms consist of a quarterly arrangement. In the first and fourth quarters, there's a gyronny pattern of eight alternating segments in gold (Or) and black (Sable). The second quarter features a black (Sable) galley on a silver (Argent) background. In the third quarter, there's a gold (Or) horizontal band with a checkered pattern alternating between blue (Azure) and silver (Argent). These arms were recorded in the Ordinary of Arms between 1672 and 1677.
4. Clan Campbell of Breadalbane Places & People
4.1 Clan Campbell of Breadalbane Places
The ancestral residence stood as a formidable castle spanning a compact island on Loch Awe known as Innis Chonnell. Beyond it rise the majestic peaks of Cruachan Beann, the very hills that echoed with the rallying cry of the Campbells in times of war.
Even today, amidst the lush greenery on Innis Chonnell, the remnants of the castle's ruins are discernible. Once the domain of Sir Colin Campbell, who met his fate at the Battle of Red Ford, it served as the earliest bastion of the Campbell clan until its abandonment in the 15th century.
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The inaugural Earl of Argyll acquired Glowm in Clackmannanshire (later renamed Castle Campbell), establishing it as the Campbell stronghold in the Lowlands from the 15th to the 19th century. This strategic location of Glowm, or Castle Campbell, catered to the Earl's requirements for attending court.
Moreover, the 1st Earl of Argyll played a pivotal role in diminishing the influence of his enduring adversaries, the MacDonalds, Lords of the Isles.
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For centuries, a castle has graced the lands of Inveraray, dating back to at least the 15th century when King James V paid a visit in 1533. The present Inveraray Castle replaced the original fortress, with construction taking place between 1743 and 1746. Notably, the castle boasts a striking Gothic Revival architectural style, marking one of the earliest instances of such design worldwide.
Since the 18th century, Inveraray Castle has served as the seat of the Campbell Dukes of Argyll, and it remains the residence of the current chief, the 13th Duke of Argyll, Torquhil Campbell.
4.2 Clan Campbell of Breadalbane People
4.2.1 Sir Henry Campbell–Bannerman (1836-1908)
The Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1905-1908 hailed from Glasgow, born to a father who would later become a Lord Provost. In a bid to inherit the wealth of a deceased uncle, he fused his father’s Campbell surname with his mother’s Bannerman.
His academic journey took him through the corridors of Glasgow and Cambridge before he embarked on a lifelong career as the liberal MP for Stirling. Throughout his tenure, he occupied various ministerial roles and was knighted in 1895.
Known for his unwavering dedication, he championed causes such as the suffragette movement and advocated for self-government for the Boers.
During his time as Prime Minister, his cabinet boasted notable figures like Winston Churchill, Lloyd George, and Henry Herbert Asquith.
However, plagued by declining health, he was forced to bid adieu to politics and tragically passed away within a fortnight.
4.2.2 Sir Colin Campbell, Lord Clyde (1792-1863)
Legend has it that Colin MacIver embraced his mother’s maiden name after a conversation with the Duke of York, who praised "Campbell" as a fitting moniker for a soldier. Thus, Colin Campbell, the son of a Glasgow carpenter, embarked on a remarkable journey through the ranks of the British Army, ultimately achieving the prestigious rank of Field Marshal in 1862.
His valorous exploits took him to distant lands, from China to the West Indies, India, and the Crimea. It was in the latter where he distinguished himself, leading the Highland Brigade to victory at the Battle of Alma and bravely holding the infamous ‘Thin Red Line’ at Balaclava against the Russian Cavalry. Today, his resting place is in Westminster Abbey, and he remains celebrated as a towering figure in the military annals of Britain's Empire during the mid-19th century.
4.2.3 Sir Malcolm Brown Campbell (1848-1935)
The founder of the renowned Malcolm Campbell grocery empire boasts a classic rags-to-riches tale. Born in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, he began his humble journey running errands for a local greengrocer in Glasgow.
Determined to revolutionize fruit and vegetable sales, he ambitiously sought to introduce a variety of global produce to the Scottish high street, famously making bananas accessible across the nation.
His strategic placement of kiosks at railway stations played a pivotal role in his success, providing convenient access to his products for commuters and travelers alike. In recognition of his remarkable achievements, he was honored with a knighthood in 1922, cementing his legacy as a pioneer in Scottish retail history.
4.2.4 Angus Campbell (1903-82)
Hailing from the town of Ness on the Isle of Lewis, Angus Campbell, also known as Am Puilean, found inspiration for his poetry and writing in his upbringing and wartime experiences as a prisoner of war in Poland during World War II.
In 1972, his poignant reflections were immortalized in a collection of Gaelic poetry titled 'Chaff & Wheat'. The subsequent year saw the publication of his autobiography 'Touching Many Headlands', offering readers a deeper insight into his life journey and creative pursuits.
5. Associated Names
The Breadalbane branch of Clan Campbell comprises the Breadalbane and Glenorchy branches.