Lochan of the Lost Sword

After King Robert the Bruce had been soundly defeated at the Battle of Methven in 1306, his problems were only just beginning. His small group of remaining supporters were retreating westwards through the mountains, hoping to find safety on the coast. Hopes of an easy journey were dashed when they came across a large force of MacDougall clansmen blocking the way near Crianlarich.

The MacDougalls were one of Bruce’s biggest rivals, opposing him ever since he murdered his rival to the throne John Comyn. One of the most powerful clans on the west coast, they aligned with the English instead. Bruce's depleted force was in a terrible state and a fight was the last thing they wanted, but they were left with no other option.

The Battle of Dalrigh was short and brutal with the King at the centre of the fighting. At one point, Bruce was grabbed by the cloak and barely managed to strike down his assailant as the brooch was torn from his shoulder. Now known as the Brooch of Lorn, it’s still a prized MacDougall artefact over 700 years later.

Bruce's forces knew that they had to escape, but they couldn't hope to outrun the MacDougalls whilst carrying heavy weapons. The King ordered his men to discard their swords and shields, throwing them into a nearby lochan so that they couldn’t be reused by their enemies. Having lightened their load, what was left of the King’s companions made their escape.

Even with modern metal detecting, the weapons have supposedly never been recovered. King Robert the Bruce’s large claymore may still be lying there below the water, just waiting to be found.