Battle of Loudoun Hill

The Battle of Loudoun Hill, fought on May 10, 1307, was a pivotal encounter during the First War of Scottish Independence. Near the Loudoun Hill in Ayrshire, Robert the Bruce, having rebounded from earlier setbacks, employed strategic defensive tactics by choosing a narrow boggy ground to nullify the numerical advantage of the English cavalry led by Aymer de Valence, the Earl of Pembroke. Bruce's forces dug ditches to further restrict the movement of the English, enabling the Scots to inflict heavy casualties and achieve a significant victory. This triumph marked a turning point in Bruce's campaign, boosting Scottish morale and solidifying his leadership in the ongoing struggle against English rule.