Battle of Red Ford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Red Ford
Loch Awe where the battle is said to have taken place
Date c. 1294 Location Loch Awe, Scotland Result MacDougall victory
Belligerents
Clan Campbell	Clan MacDougall
Commanders and leaders
Sir Colin Campbell	Alexander of Argyll
Strength
High	High
Casualties and losses
Heavy	Heavy

The Battle of Red Ford was a big fight between two powerful Scottish clans, Clan Campbell and Clan MacDougall. It happened around 1294 or 1296 in a place called Lorne, near Loch Awe in Scotland. The battle was about who owned certain lands. It got its name, Red Ford (Scottish Gaelic: Ath Dearg), because so much blood was spilled that the river crossing turned red. In the end, the MacDougall clan won.

Why They Fought

The MacDougall clan was friends with John Balliol, who became the King of Scotland in 1292. Because of this friendship, the MacDougall chief, Alasdair MacDubhgaill, became a powerful official called the Sheriff of Argyll. This made the MacDougalls more powerful and led to arguments with other clans, like Clan Campbell. These arguments were often about who owned land.

The leader of Clan Campbell at the time was Sir Colin Campbell. He had sworn loyalty to King Edward I of England in 1296, along with other Scottish nobles. The Battle of Red Ford happened sometime after this.

The Battle

We don't have many exact details about the battle itself. However, we know that many people died on both sides. The fight was so fierce that the ford (a shallow part of a river where you can cross) turned red with the blood of the fallen and wounded.

During the battle, Sir Colin Campbell, the chief of Clan Campbell, was killed.

After the Battle

Kilchrenan Church where Sir Colin Campbell was buried after the battle

After the battle, Sir Colin Campbell's body was carried to the church of St. Peter the Deacon at Kilchrenan. He was buried there.