Còmhghaill

Còmhghaill is a Gaelic term that historically referred to a specific people and territory in what is now northwestern Scotland. The name itself is generally understood to derive from the personal name Comgall, meaning "foreigner's tribute" or "foreign vow." The Còmhghaill were primarily associated with the region of Cowal, a peninsula in Argyll and Bute.

The territory of the Còmhghaill was significant during the early medieval period, often described in historical sources as being part of Dál Riata, a Gaelic kingdom that spanned parts of Ireland and western Scotland. Their prominence is noted in various annals and genealogies, though detailed historical records are scarce. They are often mentioned in relation to other kindreds and kingdoms in the region, indicating a distinct identity and territorial control.

The Còmhghaill played a role in the complex political landscape of early medieval Scotland, interacting with Norse settlers, other Gaelic groups, and the Picts. Over time, their distinct identity became absorbed into the broader political and social structures of the evolving kingdom of Alba, which eventually became Scotland. The legacy of the Còmhghaill can still be seen in place names and the historical memory of the Cowal region.