
This crest was adopted in the 1740s by Donald Cameron of Lochiel, known to history as ‘Gentle Lochiel’, replacing an older crest of an arm holding a sword. The five arrows represent the major branches of Clan Cameron, namely: the MacMartins/Camerons of Letterfinlay; the Camerons of Glen Nevis; the Camerons of Callart and Lundavra; the Camerons of Erracht and finally the Camerons of Clunes.
The Gaelic motto Aonaibh Ri Cheile reinforces this symbolism, roughly translated as ‘Let Us Unite’.

Our older Carrick range of cap badges version of the Cameron Crest.
The broadly definitive text on the history of the Camerons is that by John Steward of Ardvorlich, entitled The Camerons: A History of Clan Cameron.

The heartlands of Clan Cameron Map from our Border Art range.
Another crest with similar although disctinct meaning can be seen with that of Brodie.
MKP 16 September 2020