Battle of Lagganmore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Lagganmore |
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| Part of the Scottish Civil War | |||||||
 The settlement of Lagganmore in modern times |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Royalists:Clan Donald Clan MacDougall Clan MacAulay  Irish Brigade |
 Covenanters:Clan Campbell Clan MacCallum Clan MacNaghten |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Alasdair MacColla Lachlan MacLean |
John Campbell Donald Campbell Zachary MacCallum † |
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| Strength | |||||||
| c.1,500 | c.700 | ||||||
The Battle of Lagganmore happened in 1646. It took place at Lagganmore, a spot in Glen Euchar, west of Loch Scammadale in Scotland. This battle was part of a bigger conflict called the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
However, it was also a clash between two powerful Highland families: Clan MacDonald and Clan Campbell. These clans had a long-standing rivalry.
In this battle, the Royalist forces, led by Alasdair Mac Colla, won. They were supported by men from Clan MacDougall and Clan MacAulay. They defeated the Campbell forces, who were fighting for the government and were supported by Clan MacCallum.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
The Battle of Lagganmore was part of the Scottish Civil War. This was a time when different groups in Scotland were fighting for control.
Alasdair Mac Colla's Mission
In 1644, Alasdair Mac Colla and some professional Irish soldiers came to Scotland. They were sent by a group called Confederate Ireland. Their main goal was to help the Royalist side in Scotland. This mission was planned by the Earl of Antrim.
Mac Colla joined forces with a Royalist leader named Lord Montrose. Together, they had many victories against the Scottish government in 1644 and 1645.
The Clan Feud
The Earl of Antrim, Mac Colla, and many of their soldiers were part of Clan Donald. It seems a big reason for their mission was to get back lands that Clan Donald had lost. These lands, especially in Kintyre, had been taken over by the Clan Campbell. The Campbells were strong supporters of the government.
After leaving Montrose's army in late 1645, Mac Colla and his men returned to Kintyre. They continued their attacks on Clan Campbell lands. For much of early 1646, they tried to capture Craignish Castle. During this time, a Campbell leader, Archibald Campbell, even dared Mac Colla to a one-on-one fight.
In the spring of 1646, the Campbells gathered their own army. It was led by local leaders John Campbell of Lochnell and Donald Campbell of Bragleen.
The Battle Itself
Not much was written down about the Battle of Lagganmore at the time. This is because of its location and size. Most of what we know comes from old stories passed down through families. These stories usually agree on the main events.
Who Fought
The Campbell forces, mainly made up of Clan Campbell and their allies, gathered in Glen Euchar. They planned to attack Mac Colla's men. Another landowner, Zachary MacCallum of Poltalloch, also joined the Campbells. Stories say he just happened to be there. However, Poltalloch was known to support the Campbell chief, Argyll. So, he and his men were likely already with the Campbell army.
Mac Colla's side had about 1,500 men. This included his experienced Irish soldiers and fighters from the MacDougalls of Dunollie and the MacAulays of Ardincaple. The Campbells had fewer men, possibly around 700.
How the Battle Unfolded
Mac Colla's leading fighters attacked the Campbells. The Campbell forces were quickly defeated and scattered. Lochnell managed to escape from the battlefield. Bragleen was captured but supposedly escaped later.
Poltalloch was said to have been very close to killing Mac Colla himself. But then, an opponent with a scythe (a long curved blade) struck him down. Other stories say he died in a different way.
What Happened After
The Battle of Lagganmore is remembered in local stories for a terrible event that happened afterward. It is said that Mac Colla's men forced many prisoners from the battle, along with Campbell women and children from the area, into a barn. This barn was then set on fire.
Only two women (or sometimes one woman and Campbell of Bragleen) were said to have escaped. This place became known as Sabhal nan Cnamh, which means "Barn of Bones." This event was one of many acts of revenge that happened during this conflict, as both sides committed harsh deeds against each other.
Images for kids
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The settlement of Lagganmore in modern times
