BattlefieldsAlasdair MacColla raid on Cowal 1644
English Civil War

Alasdair MacColla raid on Cowal 1644

1644
Argyllshire, Scotland
Also known as: MacColla Cowal raid 1644
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Argyllshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Campbell garrisons in Cowal
Forces
Campbell garrisons c.300–500.
VS
Victor
Alasdair MacColla (Royalist)
Forces
MacColla (Royalist) c.600–1000
Outcome
Campbell-controlled Cowal peninsula raided; cattle lifted; garrisons expelled
The Battle

History & Significance

Alasdair Mac Colla MacDonald was Montrose military partner and commander of the Irish-Highland contingent. His personal war was against the Campbells, who had dispossessed his family. The Cowal raid in 1644 was one of several anti-Campbell operations that served both Royalist strategy and MacDonald clan objectives simultaneously. MacColla was feared throughout Argyll.

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