Campbell Tartan
Pattern Overview
Clan: Campbell
Motto: Ne Obliviscaris (Forget Not)
Primary Colors: Dark green, navy blue, black, and lighter green
History and Significance
The Campbells are one of the largest and most powerful clans in Scottish history. Based in Argyll in western Scotland, the clan rose to prominence through political skill, strategic marriages, and loyalty to the Scottish (and later British) crown. The chief of Clan Campbell holds the title Duke of Argyll, and the clan seat is Inveraray Castle on the shores of Loch Fyne.
The Campbell tartan is based on the Black Watch sett, which is fitting given that Campbells made up a significant portion of the original Black Watch companies. The standard Campbell tartan uses the same dark blue and green base as the Black Watch. The Campbell of Cawdor tartan adds a yellow overstripe, while the Campbell of Breadalbane uses a slightly different arrangement. The green-dominant coloring of the Campbell tartans is one of the most recognizable in the clan tartan system.
The Campbells' rivalry with the MacDonald clan is one of the great feuds of Scottish history. The Massacre of Glencoe in 1692, in which government soldiers (many of them Campbells) killed members of the MacDonald clan after accepting their hospitality, remains one of the most infamous events in Highland history.
Wearing the Campbell Tartan
The Campbell tartan is available from Scottish tartan weavers and retailers in various fabric weights and color palettes (modern, ancient, weathered, and sometimes dress and hunting versions). It can be ordered as kilt-weight wool for traditional Highland dress, lighter wool for suits and trousers, or as accessories like ties, scarves, and sashes. The pattern is registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans.