BattlefieldsBattle of the Pass of Brander 1308
Medieval

Battle of the Pass of Brander 1308

1308
Argyllshire, Scotland
Also known as: Pass of Brander 1308 · Bruce defeats MacDougall at Brander
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Argyllshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
MacDougalls of Lorn (John of Lorn)
Forces
MacDougalls c.2,000 in ambush position
VS
Victor
Scotland (Robert the Bruce)
Forces
Bruce with Scottish army including archers under Douglas
Outcome
Bruce outflanked a MacDougall ambush in the Pass of Brander; MacDougall power in Argyll broken; John of Lorn watched his clan routed from a galley on Loch Awe
The Battle

History & Significance

The MacDougalls had caught Bruce in an ambush at Dalrigh two years earlier and stripped him of the Brooch of Lorn. Bruce took his revenge at the Pass of Brander. The MacDougalls tried the same ambush tactic in the narrows by Loch Awe. Bruce anticipated it and sent archers under James Douglas to outflank the ambushers from above. When the MacDougalls on the hillside came under fire from above, they broke. John of Lorn watched the destruction of his clans power from a galley on the loch below. The victory secured Bruces western flank.

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