Why the hate for Campbell?

[Leprechaun 91]

Okay, I admit the title is a little link-baitish. I know the politics and history.

All things considered, why is it so hard to get the Campbell tartan from the off-the-rack manufacturers. Campbell is arguably on of the larger clans yet no rentals agencies, Stillwater, UT Kilts, or other such companies seem to even consider it an option. I am often offered the option to custom order a lot of the fabric and then have the kilt made. (I already have a beautifully made Geoffrey Taylor "tank" which I love. )

I want some games kilts and pub-crawlers but am often stuck with Royal Stewart, Wallace, Black Watch, or other "universal" tartans. Certainly no slight is aimed at the families I am able to buy. It just seems like there is an industry bias against my Clans. (Cunningham and MacNeil are also rare).

Politics aside, what gives?

[Jock Scot]

Politics aside. I wonder as the Clan Campbell and Black Watch tartans are one and the same, if the the kilt industry are using the tartan as dual purpose as well as "universal"?

[StevieR]

I want some games kilts and pub-crawlers but am often stuck with Royal Stewart, Wallace, Black Watch, or other "universal" tartans.

Black Watch and Campbell are one and the same.

[figheadair]

They're not basically, they are the same thing. That said, I can't understand why the OP would have difficulty getting the materail as Campbell. Just Google Campbell tartan and the options are widespread.

[Leprechaun 91]

Thanks all. I will keep an eye out for the tartan I really want. (Ancient or weathered). Below is an interesting letter from our Clan's previous Chief. The 12th Duke of Argyle. I had the honour of meeting him and his family in the eighties. I met the current Duke back in 2012. Both meetings I found them to be gracious and amiable.

Anyway... On with the quote.


"...the only tartans which I recognize are, firstly, the one you see me and my wife wearing, which goes under various names, such as ordinary Campbell, Ancient Campbell, etc., and all members of our clan who are not specifically identified with [the Houses of Breadalbane, Cawdor [or] Loudoun are entitled to wear it.
Let me get rid, once and for all, of the thought that there is a 'Campbell of Argyll' [tartan]. While it is true that the Sixth Duke [of Argyll - b.1768 - s.1806 - d.1839] introduced a white line to his plain Campbell tartan to differentiate himself from the rest of the Campbells, (he being the chief and entitled to do so), he was the only member of the family so to do and the rest of the family thought he was rather pompous to do it.
Campbell of Breadalbane--fine [to wear].
Campbell of Cawdor--fine.
Campbell of Loudoun--fine.
Campbell of Glenlyon--I have never heard of it.
Campbell of Loch Awe-this is plain ridiculous, as we are all Campbells of Loch Awe originally. - Apart from anything else, I have never heard of a Campbell of Loch Awe tartan, nor do I wish to do so.
THERE IS NO DRESS CAMPBELL [TARTAN]--repeat! repeat! repeat!
There is NO HUNTING CAMPBELL.
There is NO CAMPRELL RED.
There is NO CAMPBELL - SIMPSON.
There are no Campbell cheques, other than commercial ones...
If I feel strongly about anything and would like it inscribed on my tombstone, there might be a few lines such as 'All Campbells with the exception of the three principal septs [the Houses of Breadalbane, Cawdor and Loudoun] should wear plain undifferentiated Campbell for evermore and not get confused by peddlers of this [other] material that comes under all sorts of guises.

Yours ever,
Your Kinsman and Chief,
Argyll"


[From a letter to the late William A. Mitchell, Clan Campbell Society, U.S.A. genealogist.]

To summarize, then, there are just four authentic Campbell tartans: Ancient or "plain" Campbell, Campbell of Breadalbane, Campbell of Cawdor, and Campbell of Loudoun. To be faithful to Scottish tradition, only those descended from the Houses of Breadalbane, Cawdor and Loudoun should wear the tartans belonging to those houses; all other Campbells and members of other Campbell septs should wear Ancient or "plain" Campbell tartan, which is composed of threads of only three colors: blue, green and black--with no overstripes of any other color.

[Liam]

I don't believe there is a hatred for the Campbell's - they make fine soup!

[Downunder Kilt]

I really don't think there is any "hate". As with all products, those that are in demand the most will be stocked by the greatest number of vendors. No difference in off the rack kilts, Obviously there is not the same demand for campbell tartan as there is for others.

[Manxstralian]

Thanks all. I will keep an eye out for the tartan I really want. (Ancient or weathered).

USA Kilts do a casual model in Campbell Ancient, if that's any help. I haven't dealt with them personally, but I'm sure others here will vouch for their quality and value, especially if you're looking for a "knock-around" pub kilt.

Cheers,

Cameron

[Ian.MacAllan]

USA Kilts . . . I'm sure others here will vouch for their quality and value . . . .

I am one of those others. They did a superb job on mine and delivered it much earlier than I had expected. It even pleases my wife, who thought I already had too many kilts.

.

[Riverkilt]

If you contact an experienced and reputable kiltmaker - an individual not a "we do it all house" they will have excellent knowledge of both tartans and mills and can find whatever version of Campbell tartan you prefer and sew it up for you.

As an aside, my grandfather Murdoch Macdonald would never buy Campbell's soup and was less than pleased when I took a job with Campbell Ford.