Battle of Red Ford


The Battle of Red Ford or Battle of the String of Lorne was a battle in 1294 or else after September 1296 between Clan Campbell and Clan MacDougall in Lorne, Scotland. The battle was fought over disputed lands. It ended in defeat of the Clan Campbell of Lochawe. The battle was on the borders of Loch Awe and Lorne, with the site and battle named Red Ford after the ford which ran red with blood where the battle took place.

Background

Clan MacDougall having allied itself with John Balliol in his a competitor for the Scottish crown, upon his coronation in 1292, the chief of Clan MacDougall, Alasdair MacDubhgaill was rewarded by being appointed Sheriff of Argyll in 1293. Having the influences of power, Clan MacDougall extended their influence and due to this, Clan Campbell and some other Highland clans like Clan Donald found themselves in dispute with Clan MacDougall. Cailean Mor "Great Colin/ Colin the Great" the 4th Chief of Clan Campbell signed his Ragman Role Oath of Fealty pledging allegiance to King Edward I of England with other nobles on August 27, 1296 so it is quite likely that he died in the Battle of the Red Ford on the String of Lorne in Netherlorn, Argyll at some time after that date.

Battle

Although no exact details of the battle are at hand, a great many lives were lost on both sides and the ford ran red with blood of the fallen and the wounded. Cailean Mór Caimbeul was killed in battle.

Aftermath

After the battle, Sir Colin Campbell's body was carried to the church of St. Peter the Deacon at Kilchrenan and buried there.