Gille Ruadh

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Gille Ruadh^{[note 1]} was the Galwegian leader who led the revolt against King Alexander II of Scotland. His birth, death date and origins are all unknown.

Upon the death of Alan, Lord of Galloway, in 1234, Galloway was left without a legitimate feudal heir. Alexander II had decided to partition the lordship between the Anglo-Norman husbands of Alan's three living daughters, Roger de Quincy (married to Ela), John de Balliol (married to Derborgaill) and William de Forz (married to Cairistiona).

However, Alan had left an illegitimate son, Thomas. In Gaelic succession law, Thomas was a perfectly acceptable heir. Thus the native Galwegians and the Gaelic clergy of the province rose in revolt against the Scottish king.
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