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by Vance Sinclair (Author)
This is the story of Clan Campbell, the sons of Diarmid, the largest and most successful Clan in the history of Scotland. From humble beginnings they became the predominant Clan in the whole of Scotland, but particularly in the Western Highlands. Their success was due to a combination of both the sword and the pen, something very few Clans were able to achieve. The Campbells attached themselves very early on to the Monarchs of Scotland from the time of King Robert the Bruce, through the Stuart dynasty and finally to the creation of Great Britain, of which they were eager supporters. This was in direct contrast to the other great Clan power, the MacDonald's, who spent much of their time and energy fighting against domination from Central Scotland.
The Campbells were fierce warriors and had a large fleet of galleys at their disposal. But their main success came in their ability to fuse the best and most important elements of Gaelic culture with the legal system of Lowland Scotland. Unlike most Clans they came to the early realisation that to be influential in the affairs of the nation they had to look beyond their own hills and glens to a broader view which reflected the political position in the wider Highlands and the Central Government in Edinburgh. Because of this attitude many of their rival clans saw them as traitors to the Highland traditions. The Campbells would say that they were just smarter than the other Clans, and in many respects this was very true.
This book starts with the legendary beginnings of Clan Campbell, through the Wars of Independence, the Religious Civil Wars and then the Jacobite rebellions of the 18th Century. It ends with the Diaspora which saw the Campbells immigrate all over the world and contribute to the development of many nations. The Campbells are truly a great Clan.
