The Battle of Red Ford – 1294

The Battle of Red Ford was a significant event in Scottish history that took place in the late 13th century. It was fought between two powerful clans, the Campbells and the MacDougalls, over disputed lands in Lorne, Scotland. The exact date of the battle is unknown, with some sources stating it occurred in 1294 and others stating it happened after September 1296.

The background of the conflict can be traced back to the coronation of John Balliol as King of Scotland in 1292. Clan MacDougall, who had supported Balliol’s claim to the throne, were rewarded for their loyalty with a number of important positions, including the appointment of Alasdair MacDubhgaill as Sheriff of Argyll in 1293. This led to a power struggle with other clans in the region, including Clan Campbell and Clan Donald.

In an effort to assert their authority, the MacDougalls began to extend their influence and this led to disputes with other clans. In response, the 4th Chief of Clan Campbell, Cailean Mor or “Great Colin/Colin the Great,” pledged his allegiance to King Edward I of England in the Ragman Role Oath of Fealty on August 27, 1296.

The Battle of Red Ford took place on the borders of Loch Awe and Lorne, with the site being named Red Ford (Scottish Gaelic: Ath Dearg) after the ford which ran red with blood during the battle. Although there are no detailed accounts of the battle itself, it is known that a large number of people died on both sides and that Sir Colin Campbell was killed in the fighting.

After the battle, Sir Colin Campbell’s body was carried to Kilchrenan Church and buried there. The aftermath of the battle is not well documented, but it is likely that it had a significant impact on the balance of power between the two clans and the broader region of Lorne. The legacy of the Battle of Red Ford has been remembered in Scottish history and folklore, with the site of the battle being seen as a symbol of the bloody conflicts that took place between Scotland’s clans in the Middle Ages.