An unholy union?

[Nathan]

The assorted Scottish Clans have done really well, when all things are considered, to bury the hatchet in some far off peat bog and not in each others heads for the last couple of centuries. That does not mean that we should forget our history, but Scotland is a better place by far now, than once it was. Perfect? No.

On your point Nathan, considering what Clan MacLeod and Clan Donald did to each other over the centuries, I am surprised that you are even considering wearing a style of jacket that was worn by The MacLeod of MacLeod. Remember, what Clan Donald did to Clan Campbell after the Battle of Inverlochy. One must be a bit careful, if one wants to be consistant, where one pins their particular Clan loyalties to their histories, when wearing rose tinted spectacles, where Scottish Clans are concerned.

Some interesting points raised.

Let me clarify that my "outrage" is strictly tongue in cheek. I have no actual animosity toward modern Campbells and enjoy speaking to some of them on this forum daily. This wouldn't be the place for that and to boil blood over an incident that occurred so long ago would be baseless hatred and the world will not advance if we don't leave lots of hatchets in peat bogs. I do engage in some good natured ribbing with Campbells when the opportunity presents itself but unless someone is being really insensitive regarding the history, I see no reason why we can't be the best of friends.

Certainly, most of Highland history was brutal. I'm well aware of our on again, off again feuds with the MacLeods, the MacLeans and even sometimes Chattan, especially the MacIntoshes, but Clan Campbell's role in Scottish history is rather unique. Its leadership systematically dismantled the power of it's neighbours especially the Lordship of the Isles and helped to put a lot of nails in the coffin of Gaelic culture for their own narrow benefit. It did so by taking advantage of the financial hardship of others and by becoming the muscle of the English in the Highlands. The thing is, the Machiavellian approach worked. The sons of Somerled no longer control Argyll, Lord Macdonald is a hotelier and the Duke of Argyll has titles as long as your arm and lives in Inveraray castle. But alas, history is never so simplistic.

We can't just blame the Campbells or anyone else for the downfall of our status. We have to account for gambling and alcohol addictions, the rash behaviour of certain Macdonald chiefs, backing losing horses, infighting and other factors so I don't want to overstate it.

As an aside though, unlike the usual horrible violence of that time and place, Glencoe was unique compared to Inverlochy because it was murder under trust. All that notwithstanding, there's still no reason to fan the old flames of hatred or to hold my contemporaries responsible for the actions of Glenlyon and his band of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Especially when we consider the roles that were played by the King, Duncanson, Dalrymple etc...

In fact, my local Highland regiment, The Cape Breton Highlanders, in which the overwhelming majority of soldiers carry Clan Donald names, are the sister regiment to the Argylls and wear the same uniform and kilt as they do. Ironic indeed.

I also have a strong compliment of Thompson in my bloodline. In fact, I have both an uncle and and brother named Thompson in honour of this connection. Thompson/MacTavish is closely connected to the Clan Campbell.

Regarding the MacLeod, my direct family comes from the Isle of Lewis so we've learned to live with MacLeods centuries ago. I also can't help it if the MacLeod was a snazzy dresser. The jacket looks good! The Duke of Argyll's salmon buttons are pretty enviable too while we're on the subject.

At the end of the day, though, Clan Campbell and Clan Donald are rivals. I don't think anyone should take that to the point of calling us "enemies" anymore and I don't think the rivalry should even approach anything like a UK football rivalry in terms of seriousness.

I'm not going to delve any deeper into the historic rivalry between these clans because this subforum is about heraldry.

Does anyone know the origin of a clan badge with a boar's head and the Macdonald motto? I'm honestly very curious.

[Father Bill]

A shot across the bow, fellows. Without real care, this could go south rather badly.

Father Bill for the Forum Moderators.

[Nathan]

A shot across the bow, fellows. Without real care, this could go south rather badly.

Father Bill for the Forum Moderators.

Right you are, Father. Perhaps I went too deep into an old wound as this history can be viewed from many angles and could easily strike a nerve. I humbly request that nobody take any bait I may have inadvertently dropped.

I really wanted to ask about the badge. Perhaps it's a legitimate clan badge, with which I'm just not familiar? Hmmmm.

[David Thorpe]

As has been said already, there are several clan Chiefs (including my own) who use the boar's head as the crest of their arms and as the main symbol of their badges. Most of the illustrations of the Campbell crest I have seen feature tusks exaggerated vertically, so if this is supposed to be a Campbell boar, it is not typical.

[creagdhubh]

Some interesting points raised.

Let me clarify that my "outrage" is strictly tongue in cheek. I have no actual animosity toward modern Campbells and enjoy speaking to some of them on this forum daily. This wouldn't be the place for that and to boil blood over an incident that occurred so long ago would be baseless hatred and the world will not advance if we don't leave lots of hatchets in peat bogs. I do engage in some good natured ribbing with Campbells when the opportunity presents itself but unless someone is being really insensitive regarding the history, I see no reason why we can't be the best of friends.

Certainly, most of Highland history was brutal. I'm well aware of our on again, off again feuds with the MacLeods, the MacLeans and even sometimes Chattan, especially the MacIntoshes, but Clan Campbell's role in Scottish history is rather unique. Its leadership systematically dismantled the power of it's neighbours especially the Lordship of the Isles and helped to put a lot of nails in the coffin of Gaelic culture for their own narrow benefit. It did so by taking advantage of the financial hardship of others and by becoming the muscle of the English in the Highlands. The thing is, the Machiavellian approach worked. The sons of Somerled no longer control Argyll, Lord Macdonald is a hotelier and the Duke of Argyll has titles as long as your arm and lives in Inveraray castle. But alas, history is never so simplistic.

We can't just blame the Campbells or anyone else for the downfall of our status. We have to account for gambling and alcohol addictions, the rash behaviour of certain Macdonald chiefs, backing losing horses, infighting and other factors so I don't want to overstate it.

As an aside though, unlike the usual horrible violence of that time and place, Glencoe was unique compared to Inverlochy because it was murder under trust. All that notwithstanding, there's still no reason to fan the old flames of hatred or to hold my contemporaries responsible for the actions of Glenlyon and his band of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Especially when we consider the roles that were played by the King, Duncanson, Dalrymple etc...

In fact, my local Highland regiment, The Cape Breton Highlanders, in which the overwhelming majority of soldiers carry Clan Donald names, are the sister regiment to the Argylls and wear the same uniform and kilt as they do. Ironic indeed.

I also have a strong compliment of Thompson in my bloodline. In fact, I have both an uncle and and brother named Thompson in honour of this connection. Thompson/MacTavish is closely connected to the Clan Campbell.

Regarding the MacLeod, my direct family comes from the Isle of Lewis so we've learned to live with MacLeods centuries ago. I also can't help it if the MacLeod was a snazzy dresser. The jacket looks good! The Duke of Argyll's salmon buttons are pretty enviable too while we're on the subject.

At the end of the day, though, Clan Campbell and Clan Donald are rivals. I don't think anyone should take that to the point of calling us "enemies" any more and I don't think the rivalry should even approach anything like a UK football rivalry in terms of seriousness.

I'm not going to delve any deeper into the historic rivalry between these clans because this subforum is about heraldry.

Does anyone know the origin of a clan badge with a boar's head and the Macdonald motto? I'm honestly very curious.

Very well said, Nathan.

[JohntheBiker]

Under my roof, there are Campbells and MacEwans. Only occasionally do the hatchets come out.

[ASinclair]

It was not my intent to create a stir. Perhaps I should have said that I understand how some might find this badge to be in poor taste (and not added the unnecessary historical reference). I will try to choose my words more carefully in my future postings. BTW, one of my good friends is a Campbell (I don't hold it against him, usually ).

[Liam]

Actually when I read the title of the post, I thought perhaps you were referring to "scotch and coke" - now that truly is unholy!

[Father Bill]

Thank you, folks, for attempts at calm, well-humoured examination of an interesting anomaly. Let's keep going that way!

Well done, O Great Rabble!

[Arnot]

Could the badge actually be that of Urquhart of Meldrum?

According to Fairbairn's Book of Crests of the Families of Great Britain and Ireland:

Urquhart of Meldrum, Aberdeenshire, Scotland- a boar's head erased or. Per mare per terras