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Bruce, after his defeat at Methven, on the
19th of June 1306, withdrew to the moutainous parts of Breadalbane, and approached the
borders of Argyleshire. His followers did not exceed three hundred men, who, disheartened
by defeat, and exhausted by privation, were not in condition to encounter a superior
force. In this situation, however, he was attacked by Macdougall of Lorn, at the head of a
thousand men, part of whom were Macnabs, who had joined the party of John Baliol; and,
after a severe conflict, he was compelled to abandon the field. In the retreat from
Dalree, where the battle had been fought, the king was hotly pursued, and especially by
three of the clansmen of Lorn, probably personal attendants or henchmen of the
Macdougalls, who appear to have resolved to slay the Bruce or die. These followed the
retreating party, and when King Robert entered a narrow pass, threw themselves suddenly
upon him. The king turning hastily round, cleft the skull of one with his battleaxe.
"The second had grasped the stirrup, and Robert fixed and held him there by pressing
down his foot, so that the captive was dragged along the ground as if chained to the
horse. In the meantime, the third assailant had sprung from the hillside to the back of
the horse, and sat behind the king. The latter turned half round and forced the Highlander
forward to the front of the saddle, where 'he clave the head to the harns.' The second
assailant was still hanging by the stirrup, and Robert now struck at him vigorously, and
slew him at the first blow."
Whether the story
is true or not, and it is by no means improbable, it shows the reputation for gigantic
strength which the doughty Bruce had in his day. It is said to have been in this contest
that the king lost the magnificent brooch, since famous as the "brooch of Lorn."
This highly-prized trophy was long preserved as a remarkable relic in the family of
Macdougall of Dunolly, and after having been carried off during the siege of Dunolly
Castle, the family residence, it was, about forty years ago, again restored to the
family. In his day of adversity the Macdougalls were the most persevering and dangerous
of all King Robert's enemies.
But the time for retribution at length arrived. When Robert
Bruce had firmly established himself on the throne of Scotland, one of the first objects
to which he directed his attention, was to crush his old enemies the Macdougalls, and to
revenge the many injuries he had suffered at their hands. With this view, he marched into Argyleshire, determined to lay waste the country , and take possession of Lorn. On
advancing, he found John of Lorn and his followers posted in a formidable defile between
Ben Cruachan and Loch Awe, which it seemed impossible to force, and almost hopeless to
turn. But having sent a party to ascend the mountain, gain the heights, and threaten the
enemy's rear, Bruce immediately attacked them in front, with the utmost fury. For a time
the Macdougalls sustained the onset bravely; but at length, perceiving themselves in
danger of being assailed in the rear, as well as the front, and thus completely isolated
in the defile, they betook themselves to flight.
Unable to escape from the mountain gorge, they were
slaughtered without mercy, and by this reverse, their power was completely broken. Bruce
then laid waste Argyleshire, besieged and took the castle of Dunstaffinage, and received
the submission of Alister of Lorn, the father of John, who now fled to England. Alsiter
was allowed to retain the district of Lorn: but the rest of his possessions were
forfeited and given to Angus of Isla, who had all along remained faithful to the king's
interests. |
