Decoding the Clan Campbell Crest

Anatomy of an Emblem

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The crest badge of Clan Campbell is a powerful symbol of one of Scotland’s most historically dominant highland clans. Worn by clan members to show allegiance to their Chief, the Duke of Argyll (Mac Cailein Mór), the badge combines heraldry, ancient Celtic mythology, and deep-rooted highland traditions. The core elements of the traditional Campbell crest badge include the boar’s head, the motto “Ne Obliviscaris,” the battle cry “Cruachan!”, and the plant badge of Bog Myrtle.

Here is a dive into the history and origins behind these iconic symbols.

The Boar’s Head and Celtic Mythology

At the centre of the Campbell crest is a boar’s head fessways erased Or, armed Argent, langued Gules (a gold boar’s head, facing horizontally with a jagged edge as if torn from the body, with silver tusks and a red tongue).

The origin of this striking imagery connects back to the clan’s earliest mythological roots. Before they were known as Campbells, the early clan was styled Clan O’Duine, and later Clann Diarmaid, claiming descent from the legendary Fingalian hero Diarmid O’Duine (or Diarmuid the Boar). According to Celtic legend, Diarmid eloped with Grainn, the lover of the aging war-band leader Finn Mac Cool. Although Finn eventually pardoned them, his forgiveness was a ruse; he engineered Diarmid’s death during a great boar hunt. It had been prophesied that Diarmid would die by a boar—an animal that was actually once his own foster-brother—and he was killed after the beast’s stiff, poisonous bristles pierced his bare foot. By proudly bearing the boar’s head, the Campbell crest pays homage to this great hero from early Celtic mythology.

The Motto: “Forget Not”

Encircling the boar’s head on the crest badge is the Clan Motto: Ne Obliviscaris, which translates from Latin as “Forget Not”.

This motto served as a constant reminder of the clan’s heritage, alliances, and obligations. The cultural weight of this demand to “forget not” is perfectly illustrated by the heraldry of the MacTavishes of Dunardry, a family of the same stock as the Campbells who always followed the Campbell banner in war. When Lachlan MacTavish of Dunardry petitioned for arms in 1793, his crest featured a boar’s head copying the Campbell Chief’s, and his chosen motto was “NON OBLITUS” (”Not Forgetful”)—a direct and loyal response to the Campbell Chief’s command, NE OBLIVISCARIS.

(Note: The Duke of Argyll also holds a personal motto, “Vix ea nostra voco,” meaning “I scarcely call these things our own,” which relates to the principle of careful stewardship for future generations.)

The Battle Cry: “Cruachan!”

Another key element often associated with the clan’s heraldry and badge is the slogan or battle cry: Cruachan!.

This cry takes its name from the geography of the clan’s ancient heartland. The medieval hosting ground of Clan Campbell was located on the west shore of Loch Awe, directly opposite their early stronghold of Innis Chonnel Castle, at a place called Cruachan Lochawe. It was from this specific gathering place, sitting in the shadow of Ben Cruachan, that the famous battle cry “Cruachan!” was born, echoing across battlefields for centuries.

The Plant Badge: Bog Myrtle

Finally, no highland crest badge is complete without the clan’s plant badge, traditionally worn in the bonnet alongside the crest. The official plant badge of Clan Campbell is Bog Myrtle. Historical accounts note that during a visit by Queen Victoria to Inveraray in 1875, the approach to the castle was lined by halberdiers wearing Campbell tartan kilts, brown coats, and bonnets with a black cock’s tail and bog-myrtle (the Campbell badge).

Together, these symbols—the mythical boar of Diarmid, the commanding plea to “Forget Not”, the rallying cry of “Cruachan!”, and a simple sprig of Bog Myrtle—make up a crest badge that tells the epic story of Clan Campbell’s rise from the shores of Loch Awe to becoming one of the most powerful families in Scottish history.

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References

Campbell, A. (2000). A history of Clan Campbell: From origins to Flodden (Vol. 1). Polygon at Edinburgh.

Clan Campbell Society (North America). (n.d.). Campbell country. Retrieved March 21, 2026, from Clan Campbell Society (North America).

Clan Campbell Society (North America). (n.d.). Duke of Argyll. Retrieved March 21, 2026, from Clan Campbell Society (North America).

Clan Campbell Society (North America). (n.d.). Septs of Clan Campbell. Retrieved March 21, 2026, from Clan Campbell Society (North America).