The Battel of Largs was fought in 1263 between he forces of King Alexander III of Scotland and the forces of King Haakon of Norway. Alexander had been pressing Scots influence into the Isles which the Norwegian King regarded as his territory he came south with a force of 200 ships and perhaps 15,000 men. After ravaging Bute and Loch Lomond area his fleet was anchored off Largs in North Ayrshire and on the Firth of Clyde. There were protracted negotiations until some of his ships were driven ashore in a storm. A running battle ensued up and down the beaches and headlands around Largs and the Norse were driven off. Haakon returned to the Orkneys where he died. It was a definite Scots victory and a deliverence. It is now thought to be a rough battle - almost a skirmish with the desperate Norse who had been beached or went to the rescue of their comrades. I do not think quarter was given.
The Scots must have thought it very significant at the time as Alexander was generous in the rewards to his supporters in that campaign.
It was a turning point in the influence of the Norse in Scotland and it went into decline after this event.
Thomas Caldwell of Todriggs near Kilmarnock was granted the land known as Kempisland near Largs in 1496. I believe that the land went originally to the Mure family for their help in the battle of Largs.
Kempisland means land over which there has been much "Kemping" (fighting) and is located on the Gogo Burn above Largs. I have not been able to find its exact location on any map.
It was later re-named "Breed-Sorrow" because of its isolation it was used to quarantine victims of the plague. Villagers would take supplies for the afflicted as close as they dared and leave them for the sick to come out and collect as best as they could.
It was in the Caldwell family for at least 150 years.
It is also interesting to note that Kelburn Castle near Largs is supposed to have been built by a Caldwell mason.
I suppose that there were many builders involved in the construction but a Caldwell must have been in charge.