Origins In traditional genealogies of Clan Campbell, the clan's origins are in the ancient
Britons of
Strathclyde. The earliest Campbell in written record is
Gillespie, whose name is recorded in 1263.
Wars of Scottish Independence Early in the 14th century, the family of Colin Campbell became firm supporters of King
Robert the Bruce and benefited from his successes through grants of lands, titles, and good marriages. The battle also became 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, subsequently received the estate of Calder and
Cawdor Castle through his marriage to the estate's heiress, Muriel Calder.
16th century and clan conflicts In 1513, the 2nd Earl of Argyll was killed along with many of his clan at the
Battle of Flodden. The
Battle of Langside took place in 1568 where the chief of Clan Campbell,
Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll, commanded the forces who fought for
Mary, Queen of Scots. It is believed that the MacArthurs trying to defend themselves were driven into the loch. Centuries later in the 1970s an ancient sword was unearthed on the shore of the loch. For two centuries from the mid-15th century the
Clan Gordon and Clan Campbell controlled the north-east and west of Scotland respectively, as the
magnates who straddled the divide between the
Scottish Highlands and
Scottish Lowlands. In 1594,
Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll was granted a Royal Commission against
George Gordon, 6th Earl of Huntly but was defeated at the
Battle of Glenlivet.
17th century and Civil War The support that the Campbells gave to the central Government brought them rewards: In 1607, Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll was granted the former MacDonald lands of Kintyre and in 1615 Campbell of Cawdor was allowed to purchase the
Isle of Islay which had previously belonged to the Macleans of Duart. In the wake of the Battle of Inverlochy the
Clan Lamont took the opportunity to raid the Campbell lands. The vengeful Campbells also ravaged the lands of the Clan Maclean who had fought against them at Inverlochy and in due course the Maclean's
Duart Castle surrendered. In 1648, at the
Battle of Stirling (1648) the
Kirk Party Covenanter forces of Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll were defeated by the
Engager Covenanter forces of Sir
George Munro, 1st of Newmore who supported the
Earl of Lanark. Among Argyll's dead was William Campbell of Glenfalloch killed in action. In 1672, a feud took place between the Clan Campbell and
Clan Sinclair. Debt had forced
George Sinclair, 6th Earl of Caithness to resign his titles and estates in favour of Sir John Campbell. Sinclair's heir, George Sinclair of Keiss disputed the claim and seized the land in 1678. However, Argyll was beheaded on 30 June 1685 for his participation in
Argyll's Rising in support of the
Monmouth Rebellion to depose Catholic James VII and II and place the Protestant James, Duke of Monmouth on the throne. Later in 1692,
Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll again gained possession of the Maclean's Duart Castle. In 1692, 38 unarmed people of the Clan
MacDonald of Glencoe were killed in the
Massacre of Glencoe when a Government initiative to suppress
Jacobitism was entangled in the long running feud between Clan MacDonald and Clan Campbell. The slaughter of the MacDonalds at the hands of the soldiers, led by Captain
Robert Campbell of Glenlyon, after enjoying their hospitality for over a week was a major affront of Scots Law and Highland tradition. The majority of soldiers were not Campbells, but a roll call from a few months before included six Campbells in addition to Cpt. Robt. Campbell: Corporal Achibald Campbell, Private Archibald Campbell (elder), Private Donald Campbell (younger), Private Archibald Campbell (younger), Private James Campbell, Private Donald Campbell (elder), and Private Duncan Campbell. See also:
Earl of Argyll's Regiment of Foot.
18th century and Jacobite Uprisings Jacobite rising of 1715 During the Jacobite risings of the 18th century the Clan Campbell supported the British-Hanoverian Government. On 23 October 1715, chief
John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll learned that a detachment of rebels was passing by Castle Campbell, towards
Dunfermline. He sent out a body of cavalry which attacked the rebel party and defeated it in what is now known as the
Skirmish of Dunfermline and took a number of prisoners, taking only light casualties. A month later the British Government forces, including men from Clan Campbell, fought and defeated the Jacobites at the
Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715. However, there were in fact a small number of Campbells who took the side of the Jacobites led by the son of Campbell of Glenlyon whose father had commanded the Government troops at the Massacre of Glencoe against the MacDonalds 22 years earlier. These two families then settled their differences and swore to be brothers in arms, fighting side by side in the Sheriffmuir. However, the British Government forces led by chief John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll defeated the Jacobites.
The Black Watch General Wade's report on the Highlands in 1724 estimated the strength of the clan who supported the Government under the Duke of Argyll as 4,000 men, whilst those under Campbell of Breadalbane who had supported the Jacobites in 1715, as 1000 men. In 1725, six
Independent Highland Companies were formed to support the Government: three from Clan Campbell, one from
Clan Fraser of Lovat, one from
Clan Munro and one from
Clan Grant. These companies were known by the name
Reicudan Dhu, or
Black Watch. The Regiment of the Line was formed officially in 1739 as the
42nd Regiment of Foot and first mustered in 1740, at Aberfeldy.
Jacobite rising of 1745 Just before 1745, the strength of the Clan Campbell had been put at a total of 5,000 men. The Campbells were also involved in the
Skirmish of Keith around the same time. At the
Battle of Culloden in 1746 where the Jacobites were finally defeated, involved in the fighting on the Government side were four companies from the
Campbell of Argyll Militia, three companies from
Loudon's Highlanders who were under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John Campbell and one company from the 43rd Highlanders who were under the command of Captain Dugald Campbell of Auchrossan. ==Castles==