 In 1307 the MacDougalls were the bitterest of Robert the Bruce's enemies, and the man in command of the rebellion against Bruce was Sir John Menteith, who had previously removed the MacSweens from Knapdale.By 1310, when Bruce had most of Argyll and the North Channel in his favour, the English encouraged John MacDougall, the ousted Lord of Lorne, to raise a fleet in 1311, based on the eastern coast of Ireland.MacDougall was aided in part by the MacSweens, including John and his brothers Toirdelbach and Murdoch.