Feuds, Battles and Massacres Of Clan Campbell
Feuds
Feud with Clan MacDougall
The Campbells’ early rivalry with Clan MacDougall began when the MacDougalls killed Campbell chief Cailean Mór at the Battle of Red Ford in 1296. Later, Bruce and Neil Campbell defeated the MacDougalls at the Pass of Brander in 1308, taking Dunstaffnage Castle. Bruce rewarded the Campbells with former MacDougall lands.
Feud with Clan MacDonald
This centuries-long feud erupted after the fall of the MacDonald Lords of the Isles in 1493. The Campbells expanded into former MacDonald territory, sparking fierce resistance. Key flashpoints include the Battle of Inverlochy (1645), Dunaverty (1647), and the Glencoe Massacre (1692).
Feud with Clan MacGregor
The Campbells gained lands formerly held by the MacGregors under Robert the Bruce, leading to a violent feud. Grey Colin Campbell murdered a MacGregor leader in the 1560s, sparking prolonged conflict. The 1603 Battle of Glen Fruin led to the outlawing of the MacGregor name. Campbell pressure nearly destroyed the clan.
Feud with Clan Lamont
The Lamonts were historic rulers in Cowal but were overtaken by the Campbells. In 1646, after the Lamonts surrendered during the Civil War, the Campbells massacred about 200 Lamont men, women, and children at Dunoon. This ended the feud decisively in Campbell favor.
Feud with Clan Maclean
Initial peace attempts failed when Lachlan Maclean of Duart tried to murder his Campbell wife. The 1523 revenge killing of Maclean by Campbells triggered ongoing battles. In 1678, the Campbells besieged Duart Castle and absorbed much of Maclean territory.
Feud with Clan Sinclair
A title dispute over the Caithness earldom led to the Battle of Altimarlach in 1680, where the Campbells defeated the Sinclairs so thoroughly that legend says they crossed a river on Sinclair corpses.
Feud with Clan Arthur (MacArthur)
In 1567, Campbells of Inverawe drowned leading members of Clan Arthur in Loch Awe, ending their influence in the region.
Battles
Battle of Red Ford (1296)
MacDougalls killed Campbell chief Cailean Mór. A major loss for the Campbells, sparking lasting enmity.
Pass of Brander (1308)
Bruce and Neil Campbell defeated the MacDougalls, claiming Argyll lands.
Battle of Bannockburn (1314)
Neil Campbell fought for Bruce. Victory helped secure Campbell lands and prestige.
Battle of Flodden (1513)
The 2nd Earl of Argyll died alongside James IV. Many Campbells perished.
Battle of Langside (1568)
Argyll supported Mary, Queen of Scots, but was defeated.
Battle of Knockmary (1490)
Campbells aided Drummonds against Murrays. Survivors were burned alive in a church (see Massacres).
Battle of Daltullich (1499)
Campbells defeated the Calders to seize Cawdor lands.
Battle of Glenlivet (1594)
A young Argyll led a force against Catholic rebels and suffered defeat.
Battle of Inverlochy (1645)
Campbells were defeated by Montrose and MacDonalds. Castle Campbell was burned.
Battle of Lagganmore (1646)
Campbell militia was defeated by MacColla’s Royalist Highlanders.
Battle of Rhunahaorine Moss (1647)
Campbells and Covenanters defeated MacDonald resistance.
Siege of Dunaverty (1647)
Covenanter victory ended in massacre of MacDonald prisoners.
Battle of Stirling (1648)
Campbell-led militia defeated by Engagers. Argyll retreated.
Battle of Altimarlach (1680)
Campbell victory over Sinclairs in Caithness. Sinclairs regained title via legal channels.
Argyll’s Rising (1685)
Rebellion against James VII failed. Argyll executed; Campbell lands raided.
Battle of Sheriffmuir (1715)
Campbells backed the government. Argyll halted the Jacobites.
Battle of Falkirk Muir (1746)
Campbell militia fought for the government but lost to Jacobites.
Siege of Fort William (1746)
Campbells helped defend against Jacobite siege.
Skirmish of Keith (1746)
Campbells defeated Jacobite stragglers in Banffshire.
Battle of Culloden (1746)
Campbells supported the government and helped crush the Jacobite army.
Massacres
Massacre of Monzievaird (1490)
Murray survivors were burned alive in a church by Drummonds and Campbells.
Drowning of Clan Arthur (1567)
Campbells drowned MacArthur leaders in Loch Awe.
Massacre of Rathlin Island (1642)
Campbells under Sir Duncan Campbell killed MacDonald women and children.
Dunoon Massacre (1646)
Lamonts surrendered to Campbells but were slaughtered. About 200 died.
Massacre of Dunaverty (1647)
Over 300 MacDonalds were killed by Campbell-led Covenanters after surrender.
Massacre of Glencoe (1692)
Government soldiers, including Campbells under Captain Robert Campbell, murdered MacDonalds of Glencoe after accepting their hospitality.
References (APA Style)
Devine, T. M. (2006). The Scottish Nation: 1700–2000. Penguin.
Lenman, B. (1980). The Jacobite Risings in Britain 1689–1746. Methuen.
McDonald, R. A. (1997). The Kingdom of the Isles: Scotland’s Western Seaboard, c.1100–c.1336. Tuckwell Press.
Maclean, J. P. (1913). A History of the Clan MacLean. R. Clarke & Co.
Prebble, J. (1966). Glencoe: The Story of the Massacre. Secker & Warburg.
Roberts, J. L. (2000). Clan, King and Covenant: History of the Highland Clans from the Civil War to the Glencoe Massacre. Edinburgh University Press.
Sellar, W. D. H. (1971). The Origins and Ancestry of the MacGregors. Scottish Historical Review.
Simpson, G. G. (1975). Scottish Baronial Castles: 1250–1450. Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians.
Stevenson, D. (1980). Highland Warrior: Alasdair MacColla and the Civil Wars. John Donald.
Willson, D. H. (1959). King James VI and I. Jonathan Cape.
Young, J. R. (1996). The Scottish Parliament 1639–1661: A Political and Constitutional Analysis. John Donald.