Sir Walter Scott: re Highland Evictions
Sir Walter Scott wrote:- "In too many instances the Highlands have been
drained, not of their superfluity of population, but of the whole mass of
the inhabitants, dispossessed by a unrelenting avarice, which will be one
day found to have been as shortsighted as it is unjust and selfish.
Meantime, the Highlands may become the fairy ground for romance and
poetry, or the subject of experiment for the professors of speculation,
political and economical. But if the hour of need should come -- and it
may not, perhaps, be far distant -- the pibroch may sound through the
deserted region, but the summons will remain unanswered."
Conflicts of the Clans
The following is a reprint of a rare little book, issued from the Foulis
press in 1764, entitled: "The History of the Feuds and Conflicts Among
the Clans in the Northern Parts of Scotland and in the Western Isles:
from the year M.XX1 unto M.B.C.XIX, now first published from a
manuscript wrote in the reign of King James VI." The book is so scarce
and difficult to get at that even pretty well informed antiquarians will
be glad to have it placed within their reach in these pages. The only
changes made is the modernising of the orthography:--
The Conflict of Druim-a-lea
About the year of God 1031, in the days of Malcolm the Second, Kiug of
Scotland, the Danes and the Norwegians, under the conduct of Olanus and
Enbetus, seated themselves in the north parts of Scotland, and took the
Castle of Nairn, where they became very strong; from thence they sent
divers companies of soldiers into the neighbouring provinces, not only to
prey, but likewise to seat themselves there, as they should find occasion
and opportunity. Olanus did then send a strong company to invade the
provinces of Ross and Sutherland, and to destroy the inhabitants; which
Allan, Thane of Sutherland, perceiving, he assembled his countrymen, and
the inhabitants of Ross, with all diligence, and fought a battle at
Creich, in Sutherland, against the Danes and Norwegians, who had then
come from Nairn, in Moray, and had landed in the river of Portnacouter,
which divideth Ross from Sutherland. After a long and doubtful fight,
the Danes were overthrown, and chased to their vessels. The monument
whereof remains there until this day [1764], at a place called Drumilea
before Creigh.
The Conflict of Embo
About the year of God 1259, the Danes and Norwegians did land at the
ferry of Unes, with a resolution to invade Sutherland and the
neighbouring provinces, against whom William, Earl of Sutherland, made
resistance, and encountered with them betwixt the town of Dornoch and the
ferry at Unes, at a place called Embo. After a sharp conflict the Danes
were overthrown, their general slain, with many others, and the rest
chased to their ships; in memory of which a monument of stone was there
erected, which was called Righ-Chrois, that is, the king's or general's
corss, which together with divers burials, is there to be seen at this
day.
The Conflict of Bealach-na-Broige
About the year of God 1299, there was an insurrection made against the
Earl of Ross by some of the people of that province, inhabiting the
mountains, called Clan Iver, Clan-tall-wigh, and Clan Leawe. The Earl of
Ross made such diligence that he apprehended their captain, and
imprisoned him at Dingwall, whihc so incensed the Highlanders, that they
pursued the Earl of Ross's second son at Balnagown, took him and carried
him along prisoner with them, thinking thereby to get their captain
relieved. The Munros and the Dingwalls, with some other of the Earl of
Ross's dependers, gathered their forces, and pursued the Highlanders with
all diligence; so, overtaking them at Bealach-na-Broig, betwixt
Ferrindonnell and Lochbrime, there ensued a cruel fight, well fought on
either side. The Clan Iver, Clan-tall-wigh, and Clan-Leawe, were almost
all utterly extinguished; the Munros had a sorrowful victory, with great
loss of their men, and carried back again the Earl of Ross's son. The
Laird of Kildun was there slain, with seven score of the surname
Dingwall. Divers of the Munros were slain in this conflict; and, among
the rest, there were killed eleven of the house of Fowlis, that were to
succeed one another, so that the succession of the Fowlis fell unto a
child then lying in his cradle, for which service the Earl of Ross gave
divers lands to the Munros and the Dingwalls.
The Conflict of Clachnaharry
About the year of God 1341, John Munro, tutor of Fowlis, travelling
homeward on his journey from the south of Scotland, towards Ross, did
repoose himself by the way, in Strathardale, betwixt Saitn Johnstone and
Athole, where he fell at variance with the inhabitants of that country,
who had abused him, which he determined to revenge afterward. Being come
to Ross, he gathered together his whole kinsmen, neighbours and
followers, and declared unto them how he had been used, and craves their
aid to revenge himself, whereunto they yield. Thereupon he singled out
350 of the strongest and ablest men among them, and so went to
Strathardale, which he wasted and spoiled, killed some of the people, and
carried away their cattle. In this return home (as he was passing by the
Isle of Moy with his prey), Mackintosh, chieftian of the Clan Chattan,
sent to him to crave a part of the spoil, challenging the same as due to
him by custom. John Munro offered Mackintosh a reasonable portion, which
he refused to accept, and would have no less than half of the whole
spoil. whereunto John would not yield. So Mackintosh, convening his
forces with all diligence, followed John Munro, and overtook him at
Clachnaharry, beside Kessock, within one mile of Inverness. John,
perceiving them coming, sent fifty of his men to Ferrindonnell, with the
spoil, and encouraged the rest of his men to fight. So there ensued a
cruel confllict, where Mackintosh was slain with the most part of his
company. Divers of the Munros were also killed, and John Munro left as
dead on the field; but after all was appeased, he was taken up by some of
the people thereabout who carried him to their houses, where he recovered
of his wounds, and was afterwards called John Back-lawighe, because he
was mutilated of an hand.
The Conflict of Tuiteam-Tarbhach
The year of God 1406, this conflict was fought at Tuiteam-tarbhach, in
the south-west part of Sutherland, as it marches with Ross. Upon this
occasion, Angus Mackay of Strathnaver married Macleod of Lews' sister, by
whom he had two sons, Angus Dow and Rory Gald. Angus Mackay dying, he
leaves the government of his estate to his brother Uistean Dow Mackay.
Macleod of Lews, understanding that his sister was hardly dealt withal
in Strathnaver by Uistean Dow, he takes journey thither to visit her,
with the choicest men of his country. At his coming there, he finds that
she is not well dealt withal, so he returned home malcontent, and in his
way he spoiled Strathnaver and a great part of Brae-Chat in the height of
Sutherland. Robert, Earl of Sutherland, being advertised thereof, he
sent Alexander Murray of Cubin, with a company of men, toi assist Uistean
Dow in pursuing Macleod and to recover the prey. They overtake Macleod
at Tuiteam-tarbhach, as he and his company were going to the west sea,
where Alexander Murray and Uistean Dow invaded them with great courage.
The fight was long and furious, rather desperate than resolute. . In the
end they recovered the booty, and killed Macleod with all his company.
This conflict gave name to the place where it was fought, being then
called Tuiteam-tarbhach, which signifieth a plentiful fall or slaughter,
and is so called unto this day [1764].
The Conflict of Lon-Harpasdal
The year of God 1426, Angus Dow Mackay, with his son Neil, enters
Caithness with all hostility, and spoiled the same. The inhabitants of
Caithness assembled with all diligence, and fought with Angus Dow Mackay
at Harpasdal, where there was great slaughter on either side. Whereupon
King James I came to Inverness, of intention to pursue Angus Dow Mackay
for that and other such enormities. Angus Dow, hearing that the King was
at Inverness, came and submitted himself to the King's mercy, and gave
his son Neil in pledge of his good obedience in time coming, which
submission the King accepted, and sent Neil Mackay to remain in
capitivity in the Bass; who, from thence, was afterwards called Neil
Wasse Mackay.
The Conflict of Druimnacour
The year of God 1427, Thomas Mackay (otherwise Macneil), possessor of the
lands of Creich, Spanzedell, and Polrossie, in Sutherland, had perceived
some displeasure against the laird of Freswick, called Mowat, whom Thomas
Macneil did eagerly pursue, and killed him near the town of Tain, in
Ross, within the Chapel of St. Duffus, and burnt also that chapel unto
which this Mowat had retired himself as to a sanctuary. The King hearing
of this cruel fact, he causes to proclaim and denounce Thomas Macneil
rebel, and promised his land to any that would apprehend him. Angus
Murray (the son of Alexander Murray of Cubin, above-mentioned),
understanding the King's proclamation, had secret conference with Morgan
and Neil Mackay, brethern to this Thomas. Angus offered unto them, if
they would assist him to apprehend their brother, that he would give them
his own two daughters in marriage, and also assist them to get the
peaceful possession of Strathnaver, which they did claim as due to them,
and (as he thought) they might easily obtain the same, with little or no
resistance at all, seeing that Neil Wasse Mackay (the son of Angus Dow)
lay prisoner in the Bass, and Angus Dow himself was unable (by reason of
the weakness of his body at that time) to withstand them. Morgan Mackay
and Neil Mackay do condescend and yield to the bargain; and presently,
thereupon, they did apprehend their brother, Thomas, at Spanzedell, in
Sutherland, and delivered him to Angus Murray, who presented him to the
King, at whose command Thomas Macneil was executed at Inverness; and the
lands of Polrossie and Spanzedell, which he did possess, were given to
Angus Murray for this service; which lands his successors do possess
until this day [1764]. Angus Murray, for performance of his promise made
to Neil and Morgan Mackay, gave him his two daughters in marriage. Then
Angus deals with Robert, Earl of Sutherland, that he might have his
attollerance to convene some men in Sutherland, therewith to accompany
his two sons-in-laws to obtain the possession of Strathnaver. Earl
Robert grants him his demand; so Angus having gathering a company of
resolute men, he went with these two brethern to invade Strathnaver.
Angus Dow Mackay hearing of their approach, convened his countrymen, and,
because he was unable himself in person to resist them, he made his
bastard son (John Aberigh) leader of his men. They encountered at
Druim-nacoub, two miles from Tongue -- Mackay's chief dwelling-place.
There ensued a cruel and sharp conflict, valiantly fought a long time,
with great slaughter, so that, in the end, there remained but few alive
on either side. Neil Mackay, Morgan Mackay, and their father-in-law
(Angus Murray), were there slain. John Aberigh, having lost all his men,
was left for dead on the field, and was afterwards recovered; yet he was
mutilated all the rest of his days. . Angus Dow Mackay, being brought
thither to view the place of the conflict, and searching for the dead
corpses of his cousins, Morgan and Neil, was there killed with the shot
of an arrow, by a Sutherland man, that was lurking in a bush hard by,
after his fellows had been slain. This John Aberigh was afterwards so
hardly pursued by the Earl of Sutherland, that he was constrained, for
the safety of his life, to flee into the Isles.
The Scottish historians, in describing this conflict, do mistake the
place, the persons, and the factd; and do quite change the whole state of
the history. For the person -- Angus Dow Mackay of Strathnaver is, by
some of them called Angus Duff and by others, Angus Duff of Strathern.
For the place -- they make Angus Duff of Strathern to come from Strathern
(some say from Strathnaver), to Moray and Caithness, as if these shires
did join together. For the fact -- they would have Angus Duff to come
for a prey of goods out of Caithness and Moray, which two shires do not
march together, having a great arm of the sea interjected betwixt them,
called Moray Firth and having Ross and Sutherland betwixt them by land.
But the truth of this conflict and the occasion thereof I have here set
down.
The Conflict of Ruaig-Shansaid
The year of god 1437, Neil Wasse Mackay, after his release out of the
Bass, entered Caithness with all hostility, and spoiled all that
country. He skirmished with some of the inhabitants of that province at
a place called Sanset, where he overthrew them with slaughter on either
side. This conflict was called Ruaig-hanset, that is the Chase at
Sanset. Shortly thereafter Neil Wasse died.
The Conflict of Blar-Tannie
About the year of God 1438, there fell some variance betwixt the Keiths
and some others of the inhabitants of Caithness. The Keiths, mistrusting
their own forces, sent to Angus Mackay of Strathnaver (the son of Neil
Wasse), entreating him to come to their aid, whereunto he easily yielded;
so Angus Mackay, accompanied with John Mor MacIan-Riabhaich, went into
Caithness with a band of men, and invaded that country. Then did the
inhabitants of Caithness assemble in all haste, and met the Strathnaver
men and the Keiths at a place in Caithness called Blair-tannie. There
ensued a cruel fight, with slaughter on either side. In the end the
Keiths had the victory, by means chiefly of John Mor MacIan-Riabhaich (an
Assynt man), who was very famous in these countries for his manhood shown
at this conflict. Two chieftains and leaders of the inhabitants of
Caithness were slain, with divers others. This Angus Mackay, here
mentioned, was afterward burnt and killed in the Church of Tarbat, by a
man of the surname of Ross, whom he had often molested withi incursions
and invasions.
The Conflict of Blar-na-Pairc
Afther the Lord of the Isles had resigned the Earldom of Ross into the
King's hands, the year of God 1477, that province was continually vexed
and molested with incursions of the Islanders. Gillespick (cousin to
Macdonald), gathering a company of men, invaded the height of that
country with great hostility; which, the inhabitants perceiving (and
especially the Clan Mackenzie), they assembled speedily together, and met
the Islanders beside the river of Conon, about two miles from Brayle,
where there ensued a sharp and cruel skirmish. The Clan Mackenzie fought
so hardly, and pressed the enemy so, that in the end Gillespick Macdonald
was overthrown and chased, the most part of his men being either slain or
drowned in the river of Conon; and this was called Blar-na-Paire.
The Conflicts of Skibo and Strathfleet
About the same time, Macdonald of the Isles, accompanied with some of his
kinsmen and followers, to the number or five or six hundred, came into
Sutherland and encamped hard by the Castle of Skibo, whereupon Neil
Murray (son or grandson to Angus Murray, slain at Druimnacoub) was sent
by John, Earl of Sutherland, to resist them, in case they did offer any
harm unto the inhabitants. Neil Murray, perceiving them going about to
spoil the country, invaded them hard by Skibo, and killed one of their
chieftains, called Donald Dow, with fifty others. Macdonald, with the
rest of his company, escaped by flight, and so retired into their own
country.
Shortly thereafter another company of Macdonald's kin and friends came to
Strathfleet in Sutherland, and spoiled that part of the country, thinking
thereby to repair the loss they had before receivedl but, Robert
Sutherland (John, Earl of Sutherland's brother), assembled some men in
all haste, and encountered witih them upon the sands of Strathfleet.
After a sharp and cruel skirmish, Macdonald's men were overthrown, and
divers of them killed.
The Crowner Slain by the Keiths in the Chapel of St. Tayre
About the year of God 1478, there was some dissention in Caithness
betwixt the Keiths and the Clan Gunn. A meeting was appointed for their
reconciliation, at the Chaple of St. Tayre, in Caithness, hard by
Girnigo, with twelve horse on either side. The Crowner (chieftain of
Clan Gunn) with the most part of his sons and chief kinsmen came to the
chapel, to the number of twelve; and, as they were within the chapel at
their prayers, the Laird of Inverugie and Ackergill arrived there with
twelve horse, and two men upon every horse; thinking it no breach of
trust to come with twenty-four men, seeing they had but twelve horses as
was appointed. So the twenty-four gentlemen rished in at the door of the
chapel, and invaded the Crowner and his company unawares; who,
nevertheless, made great resistance. In the end the Clan Gunn were all
slain, with the most of the Keiths. Their blood may be seen to this day
[1764] upon the walls within the Chapel at St. Tyre, where they were
slain. Afterwards William Mackames (the Crowner's grandchild) in revenge
of his grandfather, killed George Keith of Ackergill and his son, with
ten of their men, at Drummuie in Sutherland, as they were travelling
from Inverugie into Caithness.
The Conflict of Aldicharrish
The year of God 1487, this conflict was fought; upon this occasion Angus
Mackay being slain at Tarbat by the surname of Ross, as I have shown
already, John Riabhach Mackay (the son of this Angus), came to the Earl
of Sutherland, upon whom he then depended, and desired his aid to revenge
his father's death, whereupon the Earl of Sutherland yields, and sent his
uncle, Robert Sutherland, with a company of men, to assist him.
Thereupon Robert Sutherland and John Raibhach Mackay did invade
Strathoyckel and Strathcarron with fire and sword; burnt, spoiled, and
laid waste divers lands appertaining to the Rosses. The Laird of
Balnagown (then chief of the Rosses in that shire) learning of his
invasion, gathered all the forces of Ross and met Robert Sutherland and
John Riabhach at a place called Aldicharrish. There ensued a cruel and
furious conflict combat, which continued a long time, with incredible
obstinacy; much blood was shed on either side. In the end, the
inhabitants of Ross being unable to endure or resist the enemies' forcesm
were utterly disbanded and put to flight. Alexander Ross, Laird of
Balnagown, was slain with seventeen other landed gentlemen of the
province of Ross, besides a great number of common soldiers. The
manuscript of Fearn (by and attour Balnagown) names these following among
those that were slain: Mr. William Ross, Angus Macculloch of Terrell,
John Waus, William Waus, John Mitchell, Thomas Waus, Houcheon Waus.
The Skirmish of Dail-Riabhach
The year of God 1576, Y Roy Mackay of Strathnaver dying, there arose
civil dissension in Strathnaver betwixt John Mackay (the son of Y Roy)
and Neil Nawerigh (the said Y Roy's brother). John Mackay excludes his
uncle Neil (who was thought to be righteous heir), and took possession of
Strathnaver. Neil, again, alleging that his nephews John and Donald were
bastards, doth claim these lands, and makes his refuge of John Earl of
Caithness, of whom he did obtain a company of men, who were sent with
Neil's four sons to invade Strathnaver. They take possession of the
country from John Mackay, who being unable to resist their forces,
retires to the Clan Chattan to seek their support, and leaves his brother
Donald Mackay to defend the country as he might. Donald, in his brother
John's absence, surprised his cousin-german under silence of the night at
Dail-Riabhach, and killed two of his cousins (the sons of Neil Nawerigh)
with the most part of their company. Thereafter, Neil Nawerigh came and
willingly surrendered himself to his nephews John and Donald, who caused
apprehend their uncle Neil, and beheaded him at a place called
Clash-nan-ceap in Strathnaver.
The Conflict of Torran Dubil
Adam Gordon, first of that surname, Earl of Sutherland having married
Elizabeth Sutherland, heiress of that country, took journey to Edinburgh,
the year of God 1517, to dispatch some affairs there, which did concern
vvthe settling of his estate, leaving the commandment of the country, in
his absence, to Alexander Sutherland (base brother to his wife Elizabeth)
and to John Murray of Abirscors; which John Mackay of Strathnaver,
understanding (having now appeased his civil discords at home, by the
death of his uncle Neil) this occasion, in the very change of surnames in
Sutherland, to try if he could gain anything by spoiling that country;
and thereupon assembling together all the forces of Strathnaver, Assynt
and Eddrachillis, with all such as he could purchase out of the west and
north-west isles of Scotland, invades the country of Sutherland with all
hostility, burning and spoiling all before him. The inhabitants of
Sutherland do speedily convene together with all the parts of the
country; and so, under the conduct of Alexander Sutherland, John Murray,
and William Mackames, they rencounter with John Mackay and his company at
a place called Torran Dubh, beside Rogart, in Strathfleet, where there
ensued a fiece and cruel conflict. The Sutherland men chased John
Mackay's vanguard, and made them retire to himself where he stood in
battle array, then did he select and chose a number of the ablest men in
all his host, and, with these, he himself returned again to the conflict,
leaving his brother Donald to conduct the rest, and to support him as
necessity should require; whereupon they do begin a more cruel fight than
before, well fought on either side. In the end, after long resistance,
the Sutherland men obtained the victory; few of these that came to renew
the fight escaped, but only John Mackay himself, and that very hardly.
Neil MacIan MacAngus of Assynt was there slain, with divers of his men. .
There wre 216 of the Strathnaver men left dead in the field, besides
those that died in the chase. There were slain of Sutherland men 38.
Not long thereafter John Mackay sent William and Donald, two brethern,
with a company of men, to invade John Murray, with whom they met at a
place called Loch-Sallachie, in Sutherland. After a sharp skirmish, both
the chieftains of the Strathnaver men were slain, with divers of their
menm, and the rest put to flight; neither was the victory pleasing to
John Murray, for he lost there his brother, called John Roy-Murray.
Thus continued the inhabitants of these countries infesting one another
with continued spoils, until the year of God 1522, that Alexander Gordon
(Earl Adam's eldest son) overthrew John Mackay at Lairg, and forced him
to submit himself to Earl Adam; unto whom John Mackay gave his band of
manrent and service, dated the year of God 1522.
The Conflict of Alltan-Beath
Donald Mackay of Strathnaver, having succeeded his brother, ,John, taketh
the occasion upon the death of Adam, Earl of Sutherland (who left his
grandchild, John, young to succeed him) to molest and invade the
inhabitants of Sutherland. He came, the year of God 1542, with a company
of men to the village of Knockartoll, burnt the same, and took a great
prey of goods out of Strathbrora. Sir Hugh Kennedy of Griffen Mains
dwelt then in Sutherland, having married John, Earl of Sutherland's
mother, after the death of his father, Alexander, Master of Sutherland.
Sir Hugh Kennedy being advertised of Mackay's coming into Sutherland, he
advises with Hutcheon Murray of Abirscors, and with Gilbert Gordon of
Garty, what was best to be done. They resolve to fight the enemy; and so
having gathered a company of men, they overtook Mackay, unawares, beside
a place called Ailtan-Beath, where they invaded him suddenly; having
passed his spies unseen. After a little skirmish the Strathnaver men
fled, the booty was rescued, and John MacIan-MacAngus, one of their
chieftains, was slain, with divers of the Strathnaver men. Donald
Mackay, nevertheless, played the part of a good soldier; for in his
flight he killed, with his own hand, one William Sutherland, who most
eagerly pursued him in the chase. The inhabitants of Sutherland and
Strathnaver (in regard of Earl John's minority) did thus continually vex
one another, until this Donald Mackay was apprehended and imprisoned in
the Castle of Fowlis, in Ross, by commandment of the Queen Regent and the
Governor, where he continued a good while in captivity.
The Conflict of Garbharry
The Queen Regent having gotten the Government of Scotland from the Earl
of Arran, she made her progress into the North, and so to Inverness the
year of God 1555. Then was Y Mackay (the son of Donald) summoned to
compear before the Queen at inverness, for that he had spoiled and
molested the country of Sutherland during Earl John's being in France
with the Queen Regent. Mackay refused to compear, whereupon there was a
commission granted to John, Earl of Sutherland, against him. Earl John
invaded Strathnaver in all hostile manner, and beseiged the Castle of
Borve, the principal fort of that country, which he took by force, and
caused hang the Captain, then demolished the fort. In end, he beset Y
Mackay so, on all sides, that he forced him to render himself, and then
was delivered by Earl John to Sir Hugh Kennedy, by whom he was conveyed
South and committed to ward in the Castle of Edinburgh, where he remained
a long space. Whilst Y Mackay staid in captivity, his cousin-german John
Mor Mackay, took upon him the government of Strathnaver. This John Mor
taking the occasion of Earl John's absence in the south of Scotland, he
invaded Sutherland with a company of the most resolute men in
Strathnaver; they burnt the chapel of St. Ninian's in Navidell, where the
inhabitants of the country, upon this sudden tumult, had conveyed some of
their goods; so, having spoiled that part of the country, they retire
homeward. The inhabitants of Sutherland assembled together, and followed
in all haste under the conduct of MacJames, the Terell of the Doil, and
James MacWilliam. They overtook the Strathnaver men at the foot of the
hill called Beinn-mhor, in Berriedale, and invaded them beside the water
of Garbharry, where then ensued a cruel conflict, fought with great
obstinacy. The Strathnaver men were overthrown and chased; about 120 of
them were slain, and some drowned in Garbharry. This is the last
conflict that hath been fought betwixt Sutherland and Strathnaver.
(to be continued)