Battle of Stalc facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Stalc |
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| Part of the Scottish clan wars | |||||||
 Castle Stalker, where Dugald Stewart of Appin consolidated his power |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Clan Stewart of Appin Clan MacLaren |
Clan MacDougall Clan MacFarlane Clan Campbell |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Dugald Stewart | Walter Stewart Colin Campbell Alan MacDougall (or MacCaul) (KIA) |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 130 MacLarens killed | MacFarlanes "virtually destroyed" in military strength | ||||||
The Battle of Stalc was an important fight between Scottish clans in 1468. It happened in Scotland. This battle was fought between the Clan Stewart of Appin and their friends, the Clan MacLaren. They fought against the Clan MacDougall and the Clan MacFarlane. Some people think the Clan Campbell also helped the MacDougalls and MacFarlanes. The Clan Stewart of Appin won this battle.
What Caused the Battle?
In 1463, John Stewart, who was the Lord of Lorne, was sadly killed. A man named Alan MacCaul (or MacDougall) and his friends were involved. After this, John Stewart's son, Dugald Stewart, had trouble becoming the new Lord. His right to the title was questioned.
Over the next few years, Dugald lost the title of Lord of Lorne. This happened because of his uncle, Walter Stewart, and the Lord of Argyll. But Dugald still held control of Appin and Lismore. He made his hunting lodge stronger. This lodge later became the famous Castle Stalker. It sits on Cormorant's Rock in Loch Liach. Dugald's clan also often raided the lands of the Campbell clan, which were all around Appin.
The Battle of Stalc
In 1468, the disagreements led to a very bloody fight called the Battle of Stalc. Colin Campbell and Walter Stewart planned a big attack. They wanted to raid Dugald Stewart and his clan. Alan MacCaul (or MacDougall), who was involved in John Stewart's death, was also part of this attack.
Dugald Stewart gathered his own fighters. As the enemy came closer, he sent his men onto a ridge. This high ground gave them a good advantage.
Even though Dugald lost many of his own men, his forces almost completely destroyed the fighting strength of the MacFarlanes. The MacFarlanes never fully recovered from this defeat. About 130 of the MacLarens also died in the battle. Alan MacDougall, or MacCaul, who was involved in John Stewart's death, was killed during the battle. It seems Dugald himself killed him.
A historian named Walter MacDougall says it's not fully clear what happened to Alan MacCaul. But if he did die in the battle, the place where they fought has a fitting Scottish Gaelic name: "Lagna an Phail." This means "treacherous hollow."
What Happened After the Battle?
In the autumn of 1469, Dugald Stewart gave up his claim to Lorne. He gave it to his uncle, Walter Stewart. In return, Dugald was able to keep Appin. The Battle of Stalc had made Dugald's claim to Appin and the areas around it much stronger. King James III of Scotland officially gave him these lands on April 14, 1470.
However, Dugald was later killed in another battle. This happened in 1497 or 1498. He was fighting against the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch at the Battle of Black Mount.
See also
