The Battle of Red Ford or Battle of the String of Lorne was a battle in 1294 between Clan Campbell

Clan Campbell

Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...

 and Clan MacDougall

Clan MacDougall

Clan MacDougall is a Highland Scottish clan consisting of the descendants of Dubgall mac Somairle, son of Somerled, who ruled Lorne and the Isle of Mull in Argyll in the 13th century...

 in Lorne

Lorne

Lorne is a given name and place name especially popular in Canada, due to the Marquess of Lorne, who was Governor-General of Canada . Lorne may refer to:-Given name:*Lorne Anderson , Canadian hockey player...

, Scotland

Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...

. The battle was fought over disputed lands. It ended in defeat of the Clan Campbell of Lochawe

Clan Campbell

Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...

. The battle was on the borders of Loch Awe

Loch Awe

Loch Awe is a large body of water in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It has also given its name to a village on its banks, variously known as Loch Awe, or Lochawe. There are islands within the loch such as Innis Chonnell and Inishail.- The loch :It is the third largest freshwater loch in Scotland with...

 and Lorne, with the site and battle named Red Ford (Scottish Gaelic: Ath Dearg) after the ford

Ford (crossing)

A ford is a shallow place with good footing where a river or stream may be crossed by wading or in a vehicle. A ford is mostly a natural phenomenon, in contrast to a low water crossing, which is an artificial bridge that allows crossing a river or stream when water is low.The names of many towns...

 which ran red with blood where the battle took place.

Background

Clan MacDougall having allied itself with John Balliol in his a competitor for the Scottish crown, upon his coronation in 1292, the chief of Clan MacDougall, Alasdair MacDubhgaill was rewarded by being appointed Sheriff of Argyll

Sheriff of Argyll

The Sheriff of Argyll was historically the office responsible for enforcing law and order in Argyll, Scotland and bringing criminals to justice. Originally they served as part of the Sheriffdom of Perth, however in 14th century it was created as Sheriffdom of Argyll in its own right...

 in 1293. Having the influences of power, Clan MacDougall extended their influence and due to this, Clan Campbell and other Highland clans found themselves in dispute with Clan MacDougall.

Battle

Although no exact details of the battle are at hand, a great many lives were lost on both sides and the ford ran red with blood of the fallen and the wounded. Cailean Mór Caimbeul (Sir Colin Campbell)

Cailean Mór

Cailean Mór Caimbeul, also known as Sir Colin Campbell , is one of the earliest attested members of Clan Campbell and an important ancestor figure of the later medieval Earls of Argyll....

 was killed in battle.

Aftermath

After the battle, Innis Chonnell Castle

Innis Chonnell

Innischonnell is an island in Loch Awe, Scotland.It is part of Kilchrenan and Dalavich parish, in Argyll.-History:...

 was seized by the MacDougalls. Sir Colin Campbell's body was carried to the church of St. Peter the Deacon at Kilchrenan

Kilchrenan

Kilchrenan is a small village in the Argyll and Bute area of Scotland.thumb|right|350px|Kilchrenan Inn dominates the heart of the villageKilchrenan is located near to the end of the B845 road, about a mile inland from Loch Awe. It forms part of the area of Avich and Kilchrenan Community Council.-...

and buried there.