Campbell is from the Gaelic Cam Beul meaning twisted mouth and the clan is said to descend from Ossianic hero Diarmaid Cam Beul. Thus Campbell and MacDiarmaid/MacDermott are of the same Clan. More extravagant claims of descent from British Kings of Strathclyde or from the legendary King Arthur himself are made.

The Campbell rise to power in Scotland firmly dates from the period when Sir Colin Campbell of Loch Awe supported Robert Bruce in his quest for the Scottish throne. As did a number of other Scottish families who did well out of supporting Bruce and the winning side! Lands from those on the losing side were granted and the Campbells continued to rise in power and wealth in Argyll by supporting the monarchy against local rebels.

Around 1440 Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy married Margaret Stewart and obtained lands in west Perthshire among others.

Edinample Castle by Loch Earn was built by 'Black' Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy in the 16thC possibly on the site of an earlier MacGregor building. Another of his castles was Finlarig Castle, Killin built in 1629. Legend has it that a pit there was where nobles were executed; commoners were hanged on a nearby oak tree.

In 1646 the Loch Dochart Castle, which had been built by Black Duncan between Killin and Crianlarich, was destroyed by the MacNabs.

'Black' Duncan's grandson, Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy, was created 1st Earl of Breadalbane in 1681. He was strongly implicated in the Massacre of Glencoe which was executed by a relation, Robert Campbell of Glenlyon.

Taymouth Castle was the seat of these Campbell Earls. In this area of Perthshire, Campbell power grew at the expense of the MacNabs.