BattlefieldsBattle of Red Ford, 1294
Medieval

Battle of Red Ford, 1294

1294
Argyllshire, Scotland
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Argyllshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Clan Campbell (Campbells of Loch Awe)
Forces
Wikipedia's infobox rates both sides' strength only as 'High'
VS
Victor
Clan MacDougall (MacDougalls of Lorn)
Forces
not recorded as numbers
Outcome
Clan MacDougall defeated the Campbells of Loch Awe in a dispute over lands on the Lorn/Ardscotnish border; Campbell chief Cailean Mór (Sir Colin Campbell) was shot and killed by a MacDougall archer, ending the fight and the ford was afterwards named Red Ford (Ath Dearg, 'red ford') for running red with blood.
The Battle

History & Significance

The Battle of Red Ford or Battle of the String of Lorne took place in 1294 or else after September 1296 between Clan Campbell and Clan MacDougall in Lorne, Scotland. The battle was fought over disputed lands. It ended in defeat of the Clan Campbell of Lochawe. The battle was on the borders of Loch Awe and Lorne, with the site and battle named Red Ford (Scottish Gaelic: Ath Dearg) after the ford which ran red with blood where the battle took place.

Confirmed battlefield location
Casualties & Losses

not recorded as numbers; sources describe 'Heavy' losses on both sides and record the death of the Campbell chief Cailean Mór (Sir Colin Campbell), later buried at Kilchrenan Church

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources