Clan Campbell question

[Morris at Heathfield]

Todd is correct. However, I feel like being a little more loquacious.

Black Watch in modern colors is the same as Campbell in modern colors. Black Watch in ancient colors is the same as Campbell in ancient colors. Black Watch in weathered colors is the same as Campbell in weathered colors. And so on. Different mills may have slight—or even quite noticeable—differences in thread count, but it's all essentially the same tartan.

Changing the shade of the tartan does not ordinarily change the tartan itself. The Graham of Menteith tartan in ancient colors and the Graham of Menteith tartan in modern colors are both the Graham of Menteith tartan. It just so happens that the Black Watch/Campbell tartan does double duty. Well, it does more than double duty, but let's leave it at that for now. The Black Watch has worn their tartan in modern colors since modern colors (i.e., chemical dyes) were invented in the 19th century. The Campbells wore the same. When ancient colors (i.e., chemical dyes attempting to mimic faded vegetable dyes) came into fashion in the 20th century, naturally some Campbells began wearing their tartan in those colors. This had the added practical benefit of distinguishing them as Campbells, since the Black Watch never wore kilts in ancient colors.

Not surprisingly, this has caught on, to the point that it is reasonably safe to assume that someone wearing the tartan in ancient colors identifies with Clan Campbell, while someone wearing the tartan in modern colors is just wearing the Black Watch tartan, which is often regarded as a universal tartan that anyone is entitled to wear. In that sense, you could say the shade of the tartan has meaning. However, it's still always possible that the fellow wearing the modern colors is a Campbell, while the fellow wearing the ancient colors just prefers to wear the popular universal tartan in the ancient, rather than modern colors.

[campbell]

Most Campbells wear ancient Campbell, which is the same as ancient Black Watch tartan. Some families use the modern Campbell (Black Watch) tartan as a dress tartan for weddings, etc. Choose any shade that you prefer. I have seen individuals wearing modern, faded, and ancient colors.

The Campbell of Argyle tartan is not authorized by the chief. However, some people wear that tartan in a tie or scarf, but their kilt or skirt is always Campbell (Black Watch) tartan, in any shade.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

As has been stated, the Campbell tartan is the same as the Black Watch tartan. The modern preference of the clan is to wear the tartan in the ancient colors -- but that is a preference, not a requirement. It is still just as correct to wear the clan tartan in the modern colors, weathered colors, muted colors, etc.

The Clan Campbell tartan (aka Black Watch) is the general tartan for all of the clan, and so is never incorrect for any Campbell to wear.

There are territorial tartans also authorized by the chief: Campbell of Cawdor, Campbell of Louden, Campbell of Breadalbane. These can be worn in any color scheme, just as above.

There are many so-called "Campbell" tartans that are not recognized by the clan, including the popular Campbell of Argyle tartan, and the so-called "Red Campbell" tartan. These are not clan tartans, but many like them (especially the Campbell of Argyle and the Dress Campbell based off of it). As I tell people, if you want to wear the tartan go ahead, but understand that it is not a clan tartan.

Generally speaking, unless you know your family came from one of the various branches of the clan with their own tartan, the general Clan Campbell tartan is always ok to wear, and choose the color scheme that appeals most to you.

[ExDragoon]

My family also comes under the Campbells. It was the link mentioned by MrLion that sent me in the right direction. On one suppliers website there were 42 Campbell tartans available. In fact, only 4 are authorized by the Clan Chief. The Clan website also contains some very good historical information. It's good to know where you come from.
Karl

[Jack Daw]

I'm the proud owner/wearer of kilts in the Black Watch and the Campbell of Breadalbane (Glenorchy) tartans.

[Paul]

I was looking at tartans at the local festival. I informed the kilt maker that I wasn't planning on commiting to a tartan until I find the correct one. As you may know their are several tartans for the Campbells that are not official. So I wanted to ensure the proper tartan first.

The kilt maker stated that the Campbell septs(?) are territorial to thier tartan. He also stated that the clan was pushing people towards the Blackwatch in honor of those serving in war. While this is a noble thought, is there any validity to either statement?

I wear my Campbell Ancient kilt as my mother's side are all Campbells. Although they moved from Ireland in the late 19th century I'm looking into where exactly they moved from (in Scotland) around the 15th century. I may well my a sept of the Campbells but I'm not going out buying a different Campbell tartan until I've researched this.
I'll probably get a Black Watch - which is a form of the Ancient Campbell tartan at some point too.

Basically the only official Campbell tartans are:
Campbell Ancient (also known as Clan Campbell)
Campbell Ancient Muted
Campbell of Cawdor
Campbell of Louden
Campbell of Breadalbane

One tartan belongs to the 6th Duke of Argyll - which some mills produce as "Campbell of Argyll". I wouldnt recommend wearing this... it tends to cause a fuss with those who know what it represents!

[Paul]

P.S.

Here I am in my Campbell Ancient. Love or ignore the shoes

[thescot]

Campbell and Black Watch are the same tartan.

Regards,

Todd

Gosh they look a lot like Government tartan to me.