The Battle of Dalrigh, 1306

The Battle of Dalrigh was a conflict that took place in 1306 in Scotland between King Robert the Bruce’s army and Clan MacDougall of Argyll. The MacDougalls were allies of Clan Comyn and the English and had supported King John Balliol against Bruce in the Scottish Wars of Independence. In February 1306, Comyn was killed by Bruce in Greyfriars Church, after which Bruce was crowned King of Scots at Scone. As a result, the MacDougalls, who were on the losing side, opposed Bruce and were defeated in the battle at Dalrigh.

The battle took place at the hamlet of Dalrigh, also known as “the King’s Field” in Gaelic, near Tyndrum in Perthshire, Scotland. Bruce’s army had recently been defeated by the English at the Battle of Methven and was pursued westward by the English. When they reached Strathfillan, they found their path blocked by the MacDougalls, who were said to have numbered 1,000 men and were commanded by Alexander’s son, John of Lorne, also known as John Bacach-“the Lame.” Bruce’s army, which was small, numbering around 300 to 500, including women, the elderly, and a guard of Highland men, was forced into a disadvantageous battle in western Perthshire near the border with Argyll.

The MacDougalls killed Bruce’s remaining horses and wounded many of his men, including Sir James Douglas and Gilbert de la Hay. Bruce tried to disengage, but the MacDougalls pursued him. He managed to safely retreat with his men, but the MacDougalls captured some of his supporters, including his sister and her husband. The exact date of the battle is unknown, but it took place sometime between July and early August.

After the battle, Bruce retreated to the safety of the western highlands, where he regrouped and began a guerrilla campaign against the English and their allies. He eventually emerged victorious in the Scottish Wars of Independence and was crowned King of Scots at Scone in 1309. The MacDougalls, meanwhile, lost their power and influence in Argyll, and the clan was eventually absorbed into other clans.