The Battle of Loch Ryan was fought from 9 to 10 February 1307 during the Anglo-Scots Wars, when the pro-English MacDougall clan ambushed and defeated a Scottish army led by Robert Bruce's brothers Alexander and Thomas as their force crossed Loch Ryan.
Background[]
Following the 1306 Battle of Methven, Robert Bruce and the 50 survivors of his army were forced to flee, and they established a base at Islay at the behest of Bruce's lieutenant Angus Og MacDonald. There, they enlisted several of the islanders into their army, raising around 1,000 troops. They were later confronted by John MacDougall, the Lord of Argyll, who was the cousin of Bruce's murdered rival John Comyn. Bruce invited MacDougall and his clan's warriors to join the Scottish rebellion so that they would no longer have to pay taxes to King Edward I or fight in England's wars, but MacDougall told Bruce that he would never recognize him as king, and he reluctantly allowed him and his force to pass through the island.
Battle[]
As Bruce and his force prepared to cross Loch Ryan on rowboats, MacDougall led his clan's warriors in an ambush of Bruce's army. The MacDougalls overwhelmed Bruce's forces, and only two galleys of Bruce's men escaped; Bruce's brothers Alexander and Thomas were captured in battle. Alexander and Thomas were then turned over to the English, and they were executed at Carlisle.