Campbell of Cawdor

This branch of the clan originates from Sir John Campbell, third son of the 2nd earl of Argyll, who wed Muriella, the daughter of Sir John Calder of Calder, in 1510. On his wifes death the Thanedom of Cawdor was inherited by her grandson John. John bought the isle of Islay, which remained within the Thanedom of Cawdor until 1726, when it was purchased by another Campbell: Campbell of Shawfield.

The Campbells of Cawdor have been prominent in Scottish politics, with the son of Sir John, 8th of Cawdor being member of parliament for Cromarty and Nairn Sir John's grandson spent most of his life residing in Wales and was created Lord Cawdor of Pembrokeshire in 1796. Lord Cawdor is renowned for attending the last foreign invasion of Great Britain in which 1,200 French soldiers landed at Fishguard. He amassed the local population and his soldiers and took all the French prisoner.

The Cawdor's built a castle in 1454 and to this day it is one of the outstanding examples of the clan castles left in Scotland. It is located near Nairn.