BattlefieldsRaid on the Mull of Kintyre c.900
Early Medieval

Raid on the Mull of Kintyre c.900

900
Argyllshire, Scotland
Also known as: Norse raid Kintyre 900s
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Argyllshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scottish Gaelic population
Forces
Scottish Gaelic population c.500–1,500.
VS
Victor
Norse raiders
Forces
Norse raiders c.200–400
Outcome
Norse raiders established temporary control of Kintyre coastline
The Battle

History & Significance

Norse raiders from the Hebrides and Ireland conducted systematic raids along the Kintyre peninsula throughout the late ninth and early tenth centuries. The Mull of Kintyre — closest point of mainland Scotland to Ireland — was a natural landfall for longships operating between Ireland and the Hebrides. These raids gradually gave way to settlement as the Norse established permanent communities in the western Highlands and islands.

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