Skip to main content

Tartan is a plaid that means something. There are now over 12,000 tartans listed with The Scottish Reister of Tartans, but less than a 100 of those represent an ancient Scottish clan! The first tartan book of major importance was published in 1842. Even though Highlanders wore kilts of plaid wool, before the 1800s clansmen wore plant badges in their bonnets so people could tell their clans. Examples of tartan have been found in 2000 year old Roman ruins and as far back as 5000 year old mummifed celtic people.

Today there are tartans that represent clans, families, towns, regions, provinces, states and countries.

 
Campbell Tartan


   Below is an example of Campbell tartan which can be worn by any descendant of Clan Campbell. It is sometimes called Ancient Campbell tartan by the stores and shops. People who know that their ancestors were part of the Campbells of Loudoun, Campbell of Breadalbane or Campbell of Cawdor can wear the tartans of those younger houses of Clan Campbell. But all of Clan Campbell heritage can wear the blue, black and green tartan. Just so you know, the Campbell tartan is list as "Tartan Number 1" in ALL three major tartan registers!

 
How to tell Campbell Tartan

 

Because there are many tartans that have blue, black and green in them, it can be hard to tell one from another. Here is how to tell that it is really Campbell tartan.

Notice that there are squares of blue, separated from squares of green. Look at the blue squares. In them you will notice black double lines that look a little like railroad tracks. In one blue square there will be one set of railroad tracks. Next to the blue square is a green square with a black line through it. Next comes anothe blue square. But that square has two sets of railroad tracks running through it. That is followed by another square of green with a single black line through it. The pattern begins again at this point.


   Below is a picture that shows the railroad tracks.

 

How-To-Tell-Campbell-Tartan-Kids-Page-2.jpg


 

Join Us!

Clan Campbell Society (N.A.)

Membership benefits include:

– A subscription to our award winning 60 page quarterly magazine, "The Journal"

– Research access to our 250,000 member genealogical database via our Genealogist

– You will receive a vote in the annual elections for members of the Clan Campbell Society (NA) Executive Council

– Special Member pricing on Clan Campbell merchandise

– Discount Member pricing on Clan Campbell Merchandise at St. Kilda USA Shop

– News of Scottish events and Scottish Highland Games Calendar

– Periodic opportunities for Group Travel to Scotland

A subscription to a monthly eNewsletter with color pictures and events information

– Free entry to Cawdor Castle, ancestral home of the Earl Cawdor, during regular open times (with valid membership card)

– Free entry to Inveraray Castle, home of the Duke of Argyll Chief of Clan Campbell, during regular open times (with valid membership card)

Membership is open to all Campbells, Campbell septs, those married to a Campbell or Campbell Sept, those descended from Clan Campbell, and to those interested in learning about the Clan Campbell, Scottish history and culture, and who acknowledge Mac Cailein Mòr as their Clan Chief, as he is the Chief of Clan Campbell, the greatest family in all of Scotland! (We're a "wee bit" biased.)

Remember, those who get the most out of being a member of the Clan Campbell Society... are those who participate. We welcome you as our kinsmen to join us in our many activities.

To become a member, simply complete the online Membership Application.