The MacDougalls of Lorn were allies of the MacNabs and the Comyns, rivals for the throne with Robert the Bruce.  In 1306, Bruce met an English army at Methven, his army was all but destroyed and the remnants, Bruce included, made their way into the Highlands of Perthshire to evade any other English army detachments.  It is not sure if they travelled up Earnside or Tayside but they certainly made their way up Glendochart.  They would not have been able to travel in this area without being noticed by the MacNabs, the most powerful clan in the area at the time.  The MacNabs passed the word to the MacDougalls who set a trap.  Robert the Bruce's party stopped and rested at the small church of Strath Fillan where the abbot blessed Robert the Bruce.  Bruce was very grateful for this act as the Church of Rome following the murder of the Red Comyn in Dumfries had excommunicated him.  This church was still a church of the Culdees, the original church of St. Fillan and it had no allegiance to the Church of Rome.  The Abbot is also supposed to have warned Bruce he was in dangerous territory and should get out as soon as possible.  It was not long after the party had left Strath Fillan that they were ambushed by the MacDougalls and supposedly the MacNabs at Dalrigh (the Kings Field) near Tyndrum.  Bruce barely managed to escape with his life.  A MacDougall clansman got close enough to grasp Bruce's cloak before he was killed.  When the clansman was found later he was still clasping the cloak and in his hand was a brooch that held the cloak.  The MacDougalls still have the brooch to this day  -  the Brooch of Lorn.  Bruce and most of his party escaped and dispersed throughout the Highlands.

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