Vintage Clan Cameron Badges of the 20th Century
Cameron clan watercolour - John Chisholm, Colin Stewart Cameron, John Cameron portraits by Kenneth Macleay.
Vintage Clan Cameron Badges of the 20th Century - Over the years we have sourced many antique and vintage Cameron clan badges and crest.
We are often asked about the variations of clan badges that have been produced over the years. Following a recent request regarding Clan Cameron badges we have created a reference guide to early to mid 20th century.
There are two crests which the clan Cameron clansmen and women can still wear either to show their affiliation.
Donald Cameron 24th Lochiel (1835–1905) 1903 with wonderful Scottish Wildcat sporran
The original crest "dexter arm" crest and the Five arrows crest, which dates back to before 1745, were both used. The Five Arrows representing the five branches of the clan who were "united" with one another with a gules ribbon or band under the leadership of the Camerons of Lochiel during the early/mid-eighteenth century
Clan Crest: (old): A dexter arm embowed in armour, the hand grasping a sword, all proper, encircled by a belt and buckle. (Current): A sheaf of five arrows, proper, tied with a band, gules, encircled by a belt and buckle.
Cameron clan motto:
(old): Mo Righ 's Mo Dhuchaich (For King and Country). - ‘ Pro Rege Et Patria ‘
(current): Aonaibh Ri Chéile (Let Us Unite).
Clan War Cry: Chlanna nan con thigibh a so's gheibh sibh feoil (Sons Of The Hounds, Come Hither And Get Flesh)
Clan Cameron is a West Highland Scottish clan, with one main branch Lochiel, and numerous cadet branches. The Clan Cameron lands are in Lochaber and within their lands lies Ben Nevis which is the highest mountain in the British Isles. The Chief of the clan is customarily referred to as simply "Lochiel".
The origins of Clan Cameron are uncertain and there are several theories.
Colonel Sir Donald Hamish Cameron KT 26th Lochiel (1910 - 2004), Laird of Achnacarry Castle
A manuscript of the clan says that it is old tradition that the Camerons were originally descended from the son of the royal family of Denmark who assisted the restoration of King Fergus II of Scotland, and that their progenitor was called Cameron from his crooked nose (Scottish Gaelic: cam-shròn, [ˈkʰamaɾɔːn]) – such nicknames were and are common in Gaelic culture, and that his dependants then adopted the name.
Another possible origin is that Donal Dubh, the first chief of Clan Cameron was descended either from the Macgillonies or, the medieval family of Cameron of Ballegarno in Fife.
According to Colonel Sir Donald H Cameron of Lochiel, KT, the XXVI Chief of Clan Cameron from 1910 to 2004, these five branches included:
1) MacMartins or Camerons of Letterfinlay
2) Camerons of Glen Nevis
3) Camerons of Callart and Lundavra
4) Camerons of Erracht
5) Camerons of Clunes
The current clan chief ( 2020 ) is Donald Angus Cameron, 27th Lochiel Lord Lieutenant of Inverness
Achnacarry House (sometimes referred to as Achnacarry Castle), situated between Loch Long and Loch Lochy, has been the seat of the Camerons of Lochiel since the 1660s. The original building was destroyed in 1746 by men under the command of Captain George Munro of Culcairn as a penalty for Lochiel's part in the '45. Construction of the new house, designed by James Gillespie Graham, began in 1802 but was not completed until 1835-7.
During World War II the house and grounds were used as a training centre for British Commandos, US Rangers and soldiers of other allied armies
Cameron Clan Gathering
This image of the clan gathering can be purchased. For further information about purchasing and prices please email the
Highland Photographic Archive