Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: Scottish_Clans


Contents |
Scottish Military History
Scotland has a long military tradition that predates the Act of Union with England. Its armed forces now form part of those of the United Kingdom and are known as the British Armed Forces.
Searchable battle listings (Battle names, Dates, Location, Belligerents), Ctrl+F
Battles involving peoples of early Scotland
Battles involving peoples of early Scotland | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battle | Date | Location | Belligerents | Belligerents | Result |
Battle of Alclud Ford | c. 574, 580, or 590 | Uncertain | Rheged | Bernicia | Rheged victory |
Battle of Catraeth | c. 600 | Perhaps Catterick, North Yorkshire | Gododdin | Angles | Angles victorious |
Battles involving Dál Riata | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Belligerents | Belligerents | Result |
Battle of Raith | 596 CE | near Kirkcaldy, Scotland | Angles | Britons, Scots, Picts | Decisive Angle victory |
Battle of Degsastan | 603 | possibly Dawstane in Liddesdale, Scotland | Bernicians | Dál Riatans | Bernician victory |
Battles involving the Picts | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Belligerents | Belligerents | Result |
Battle of Mons Graupius | AD 83 (or 84) | North-east Scotland | Roman Empire | Caledonian Confederacy | Roman victory |
Battle of Raith | 596 CE | near Kirkcaldy, Scotland | Angles | Britons, Scots, Picts | Decisive Angle victory |
Battle of Two Rivers | 671 | uncertain | Picts | Northumbrians | Northumbrian victory |
Battle of Dun Nechtain, (Battle of Nechtansmere) (Scottish Gaelic: Blàr Dhùn Neachdain, Old Irish: Dún Nechtain, Old Welsh: Linn Garan, Old English: Nechtansmere) | 20 May 685 | Unknown traditionally near Dunnichen, Angus; alternatively, near Dunachton, Badenoch | Picts | Northumbrians | Pictish victory |
List of battles involving the Kingdom of Scotland
Early battles (875–1275) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battle | Date | Location | Allies | Enemies | Result |
Battle of Dollar | 875 | Stirlingshire, Scotland | None | Denmark | Defeat |
Battle of Brunanburh, 937 | 937 | Uncertain | Kingdom of Dublin, Kingdom of Alba, Kingdom of Strathclyde | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Bauds | 962 | Banffshire, Scotland | None | Norsemen | Victory |
Battle of Carham | 1016 or 1018 | Northumberland, England | Kingdom of Strathclyde | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Alnwick | 13 November 1093 | Northumberland, England | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Clitheroe | 10 June 1138 | Lancashire, England | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of the Standard | 22 August 1138 | Yorkshire, England | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Alnwick | 13 July 1174 | Northumberland, England | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Largs | 2 October 1263 | Ayrshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of Norway | Inconclusive |
Battle of Ronaldsway | 8 October 1275 | Isle of Man | None | King of Mann | Victory |
First War of Scottish Independence (1296–1327) | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Allies | Enemies | Result |
Capture of Berwick | 30 March 1296 | Berwickshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Dunbar | 27 April 1296 | Dunbar, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Raid of Scone | 1297 | Perthshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Stirling Bridge | 11 September 1297 | Stirling, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Falkirk | 22 July 1298 | Falkirk, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Siege of Caerlaverock | July 1300 | Caerlaverock castle, nr. Dumfries, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Roslin | 24 February 1303 | Midlothian, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Action at Happrew | February 1304 | Peebles, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Siege of Stirling Castle | April–July 1304 | Stirling, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Methven | 19 June 1306 | Perthshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Turnberry | February 1307 | Ayrshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Loch Ryan | 9–10 February 1307 | Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Glen Trool | March 1307 | Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Loudoun Hill | 10 May 1307 | Ayrshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Siege of Roxburgh Castle | 1313 | Roxburghshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Bannockburn | 23–24 June 1314 | Stirlingshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Moiry Pass | September 1315 | County Armagh, Northern Ireland | Irish allies | Lordship of Ireland | Victory |
Battle of Connor, 1315 | September 1315 | County Antrim, Northern Ireland | Irish allies | Lordship of Ireland | Victory |
Siege of Carlisle | 1315 | Carlisle, England | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Kells | November 1315 | County Meath, Ireland | Irish allies | Lordship of Ireland | Victory |
Battle of Skerries | 26 January 1316 | County Kildare, Ireland | Irish allies | Lordship of Ireland | Victory |
Battle of Skaithmuir | February 1316 | Berwickshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Capture of Berwick | April 1318 | Berwickshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Faughart | 14 October 1318 | County Louth, Ireland | Irish allies | Lordship of Ireland | Defeat |
Battle of Myton | 20 September 1319 | Yorkshire, England | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Old Byland | 14 October 1322 | Yorkshire, England | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Stanhope Park | 3–4 August 1327 | County Durham, England | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Second War of Scottish Independence (1332–1357) | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Allies | Enemies | Result |
Battle of Wester Kinghorn | 6 August 1332 | Fife, Scotland | None | Edward Balliol and the Disinherited | Defeat |
Battle of Dupplin Moor | 10–11 August 1332 | Perthshire, Scotland | None | Edward Balliol and the Disinherited | Defeat |
Battle of Annan | 16 December 1332 | Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland | None | Edward Balliol and the Disinherited | Victory |
Battle of Dornock | 25 March 1333 | Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Siege of Berwick | March to June 1333 | Berwick, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Halidon Hill | 19 July 1333 | Berwickshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Boroughmuir | 30 July 1335 | Edinburgh, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Culblean | 30 November 1335 | Aberdeenshire, Scotland | None | the Disinherited and supporters of Edward Balliol | Victory |
Battle of Neville's Cross | 17 October 1346 | County Durham, England | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Nesbit Moor | August 1355 | Berwickshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Border Wars | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Allies | Enemies | Result |
Battle of Duns | 1372 | Berwickshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Otterburn | 5/19 August 1388 | Northumberland, England | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Nesbit Moor | 22 June 1402 | Berwickshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Humbleton Hill | 14 September 1402 | Northumberland, England | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Yeavering | 22 July 1415 | Northumberland, England | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Allies | Enemies | Result |
Battle of Baugé | 21 March 1421 | France | Kingdom of France | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Cravant | 31 July 1423 | France | Kingdom of France, Duchy of Brittany | Kingdom of England, Duchy of Burgundy | Defeat |
Battle of Verneuil | 17 August 1424 | France | Kingdom of France | Kingdom of England, Duchy of Burgundy | Defeat |
Siege of Orléans | 12 October 1428 – 8 May 1429 | France | Kingdom of France | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of the Herrings | 12 February 1429 | France | Kingdom of France | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Anglo-Scottish Wars | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Allies | Enemies | Result |
Battle of Piperdean | 10 September 1436 | Berwickshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Sark | 23 October 1448 | Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Capture of Roxburgh | 1460 | Roxburghshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Capture of Berwick | July and August 1482 | Berwickshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Lochmaben Fair | 22 July 1484 | Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland | None | Scottish rebels, with support from the Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Flodden | 9 September 1513 | Northumberland, England | Part of the War of the League of Cambrai | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Haddon Rig | 24 August 1542 | Teviotdale, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Solway Moss | 24 November 1542 | Cumbria, England | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
The Rough Wooing (1543-1550) | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Allies | Enemies | Result |
Burning of Edinburgh | 7 May 1544 | Edinburgh, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Battle of Ancrum Moor | 27 February 1545 | Roxburghshire, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Battle of Pinkie Cleugh | 10 September 1547 | Musselburgh, Scotland | None | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Sieges of Haddington | 1548-1549 | Haddington, Scotland | Kingdom of France | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Siege of Leith | 1560 | Leith, Scotland | Kingdom of France | Kingdom of England | Defeat |
Border skirmishes | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Allies | Enemies | Result |
Raid of the Redeswire | 7 July 1575 | Northumberland, England | None | Kingdom of England | Victory |
Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, (Battles of the Scottish Civil War, 1644-45)
Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battle | Date | Location | Belligerents | Belligerents | Result |
Battle of Tippermuir | 1 September 1644 | Perth, Scotland | Royalist Irish and Highland Scots | Scots Covenanters | Royalist Victory |
Battle of Aberdeen | 13 September 1644 | Aberdeen, Scotland | Royalist Irish and Highland Scots | Parliamentarian Scots Covenanters | Royalist Victory |
Battle of Inverlochy (1645) | 2 February 1645 | Inverlochy | Royalist Irish and Highland Scots | Scots Covenanters | Royalist Victory |
Battle of Auldearn | May 9, 1645 | Auldearn, east of Nairn | Royalist Irish, Highland Scots | Scottish Covenanters | Royalist Victory |
Battle of Alford | 2 July 1645 | Alford, Aberdeenshire | Royalist Irish and Highland Scots | Scots Covenanters | Royalist Victory |
Battle of Kilsyth | 15 August 1645 | Kilsyth, about 10 miles south-west of Stirling, Scotland | Royalist Irish and Highland Scots | Scots Covenanters | Royalist Victory |
Battle of Philiphaugh | 13 September 1645 | Philiphaugh, 2 miles from Selkirk, Scotland | Royalists | Covenanters | Decisive Covenanter Victory |
Battle of Annan Moor | 20 and 21 October 1645 | Royalists | Royalists were defeated | ||
Battle of Lagganmore | 1646 | Lagganmore, in Glen Euchar, west of Loch Scammadale, Scotland. | Royalist Highland Scots: Clan Donald, Clan MacDougall, Clan MacAulay | Covenantor Highland Scots: Clan Campbell, Clan Malcolm, Clan MacNaghten | Royalist Victory |
Battle of Dunaverty | Siege 1647 | Dunaverty Castle, Kintyre, Scotland | Covenanter army | Highland troops | |
Battle of Rhunahaorine Moss | 24 May 1647 | Rhunahaorine Point, Kintyre, Scotland | Royalist Highland Scots | Covenantor Scots | Covenantor Victory |
Battle of Mauchline Muir | 12 June 1648 | Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland | Scottish Engagers Party | Scottish Kirk Party | Scottish Engagers Victory |
Battle of Stirling (1648) | 12 September 1648 | Stirling, Scotland | Engager Covenanter forces under the Earl of Lanark | Kirk Party Covenanter forces under Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll | Engager Victory |
Siege of Inverness (1649) | 22nd February 1649 | Inverness, Scotland | Royalist clans: Clan Fraser, Clan Munro, Clan Mackenzie, Clan Urquhart | Covenanters | Royalist victory |
Siege of Inverness (1650) | 1650 | Inverness, Scotland | Royalists | Covenanters | Covenanters withstand siege and Royalists retreat |
Battle of Carbisdale | 27 April 1650 | Scroggie Wood, Ross-shire | Scottish Covenanter Government clans | Royalist supporters: Danish & German mercenaries, Orcadian infantry | Scottish Covenanter Government Victory |
Battle of Dunbar | 3 September 1650 | Dunbar, Lothians | Royalist Army | Parliamentary Army | Parliamentary Victory |
Battle of Inverkeithing | 20 July 1651 | Inverkeithing, Fife | Royalist Army | Parliamentary Army | Parliamentary Victory |
Battle of Tullich | 1652 | Tullich, Scotland | Scottish Royalists loyal to Charles I of England | English parliamentarians loyal to Oliver Cromwell | Indecisive |
Battle of Dalnaspidal | 19 July 1654 | Dalnaspidal near Loch Garry, Scotland | Scottish Royalists loyal to Charles II of England: Clan MacGregor, Clan Robertson | Parliamentarians loyal to Oliver Cromwell: Clan Campbell | Parliamentarian victory |
Scottish Clan Battles
12th-century clan battles | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battle | Date | Location | Belligerents | Belligerents | Result |
Battle of Stracathro (Battle of Inchbare) | 16 April 1130 | near Brechin, Angus | Kingdom of Scotland | Kingdom of Moray, Kingdom of Norway | Scottish victory |
Battle of Renfrew | around 1164 | Renfrew, Scotland | Supporters of King Malcolm IV of Scotland | Norse-Gaelic Islesmen | Royal Victory |
13th-century clan battles | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Belligerents | Belligerents | Result |
Battle of Red Ford | c. 1294 | Loch Awe, Scotland | Clan MacDougall | Clan Campbell | Victory for Alasdair MacDubhgaill |
14th-century clan battles | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Belligerents | Belligerents | Result |
Battle of Dalrigh | Summer 1306 | Dalrigh, Lorne, Scotland | Scottish Royal Army | Clan MacDougall of Lorn | MacDougall victory |
Battle of the Pass of Brander | 1309 | Bridge of Awe, Lorne, Scotland | Scottish Royal Army | Clan MacDougall of Lorn | Victory for Robert Bruce |
Battle of Drumlui | 1330 or 1337 | Lochaber area, probably Druim Gleann Laoigh | Clan Mackintosh | Clan Cameron | Mackintosh victory |
Battle of Invernahavon | 1386, 1370 | Invernahovon in the upper Spey valley | Clan Cameron | Chattan Confederation led by Clan Mackintosh | Chattan (Mackintosh) victory |
Battle of Glascune | abt 1395 | Glen Isla in Angus | Highland clans under Duncan Stewart, son of the Earl of Buchan; Clan Mackay, Clan Donnachaidh | Angus nobles under Ogilvie, Lord of Airlie | Draw |
Battle of Sligachan | 1395 | Loch Sligachan, Skye | Clan MacDonald | Clan MacLeod | Clan MacLeod victory |
Battle of the North Inch | late September 1396 | North Inch, Perth, Scotland | Chattan Confederation or Clan Mackintosh | "Clan Kay" (Camerons or Davidsons?) | Chattan (Mackintosh) victory |
15th-century clan battles | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Belligerents | Belligerents | Result |
Battle of Feorlig | 1405 | Feorlig, Dunvegan, Skye | Clan MacLeod | Clan MacDonald | MacLeod victory |
Battle for Ruaig-Shansaid | 1437 | Near Reay, Caithness | Clan MacKay | Clan Gunn | Mackay victory |
Battle of Aldy Charrish | 11 July 1487, possibly 1486 or 1478 | Near Strathoykel, Sutherland | Clan MacKay, Clan Sutherland, Clan MacLeod of Assynt | Clan Ross | Mackay/Sutherland victory |
Battle of Arbroath | 24 January 1445 or 1446 | Arbroath, Scotland | Clan Ogilvy, Clan Gordon, Clan Oliphant, Clan Seton, Clan Forbes | Clan Lindsay | Gordon victory |
Battle of Arkinholm | 1 May 1455 | Langholm, Dumfries and Galloway | Supporters of King James II of Scotland | Black Douglases | Royal Victory |
Battle of Brechin | 18 May 1452 | near Brechin, Angus, Scotland | Clan Gordon (Royalists, allied to James II of Scotland) | Clan Lindsay (Rebels, allied to Black Douglases) | Royalist Victory |
Battle of Bealach nam Broig | probably 1452 (may be as early as 1299) | between Inverness and Ullapool, near Garbat | Allies of the Earls of Ross: Clan Munro, Clan Dingwall, Clan Fraser | Septs of Clan Mackenzie: Clan MacIver, Clan Macaulay, Clan MacLeay, Clan MacLennan | "Munros and Dingwalls won a sorrowful victory" |
Battle of Blar Na Pairce | Between 1485 and 1491 | Blar na Pairce, Strathpeffer, Scotland | Loyal to James IV of Scotland: Clan Mackenzie, Clan Brodie | Loyal to Domhnall Dubh: Clan Donald | Mackenzie victory |
Battle of Bloody Bay | c. 1480 or 1483 | North end of the Sound of Mull, Scotland | Clan Donald, Clan MacLean, Clan MacNeil, Clan MacLeod | Clan MacDonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonald of Sleat, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, Clan MacLeod of Lewis | Victory for Angus Og MacDonald |
Battle of Craig Cailloc | 1441 | Craig Cailloc, Scottish Highlands | Clan Cameron | Chattan Confederation led by Clan Mackintosh | unknown |
Battle of Palm Sunday | 1429 | Scottish Highlands | Clan Cameron | Chattan Confederation led by Clan Mackintosh | unknown |
Battle of Champions | 1478 or 1464 | St Tears Chapel, north of Wick Airport, Caithness | Clan Keith | Clan Gunn | Keith victory |
Battle of Clachnaharry | 1454 (some sources say earlier) | Inverness, Scotland | Clan Munro | Clan Mackintosh (Chattan Confederation) | Munro victory |
Battle of Corpach | c. 1470 | Corpach, Fort William, Scotland | Clan Cameron | Clan MacLean | Cameron victory |
Battle of Tuiteam Tarbhach | 1406 | North bank of River Oykel | Clan MacKay | Clan MacLeod of Lewis | Decisive Mackay victory |
Battle of Dingwall | 1411 | Dingwall, Scotland | Clan Donald and followers (Loyal to Donald of Islay) | Clan MacKay and followers (Loyal to Stewart royal family) | Clan Donald victory |
Battle of Drumchatt | 1497 | SE of Strathpeffer, Scotland | Clan Mackenzie, Clan Munro (Loyal to James IV of Scotland) | Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh (Loyal to Domhnall Dubh) | Mackenzie & Munro victory |
Battle of Drumnacoub | c. 1432 | Southern end of Kyle of Tongue, Sutherland | Clan MacKay loyal to Angus Du Mackay, 7th of Strathnaver | Clan Murray and Clan Mackay loyal to Neil Neilson | Pyrrhic victory for John Mackay who was loyal to chief Angus Du Mackay of Strathnaver |
Battle of Glendale (Skye) | traditionally c.1490; though more likely after 1513 | Glendale, Skye | the MacDonalds of Sleat; the MacDonalds of Clanranald | the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan; the MacLeods of Lewis | pyrrhic MacLeod victory |
Battle of Glenorchy | 1497/8 | Glenorchy, Argyll | the MacDonalds of Keppoch | the MacLarens; the Stewart of Appin | unknown |
Battle of Harlaw | July 24, 1411 | north of Inverurie, Scotland | Mar, Aberdeen, Angus and Mearns, Earl of Mar | MacDonald, Lord of the Isles and Allies | Tactical draw Strategic victory for Earl of Mar |
Battle of Harpsdale | 1426 | Harpsdale, south of Halkirk, Caithness | Clan MacKay | Clan Gunn, Clan Keith | Inconclusive. |
Battle of Inverlochy (1431) | September 1431 | Fort William, Scotland | Supporters of Alexander of Islay, Earls of Ross: Clan Donald + allies | Supporters of James I of Scotland | Clan Donald victory |
Battle of Lochaber | 23? June 1429 | Lochaber area of western Scotland | Scotland | Clan MacDonald, Clan Cameron, Clan Mackintosh | Royalist victory |
Massacre of Monzievaird | 21 October 1490 | Scottish Highlands | Murray families | Drummond families | |
Raid on Ross | 1491 | Ross, Scotland | Loyal to James IV of Scotland: Clan Mackenzie | Loyal to Domhnall Dubh: Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh, Clan MacDonald of Clanranald, Clan Cameron, Chattan Confederation, Clan Mackintosh | unknown |
Battle of Skibo and Strathfleet | 1480 | Around Dornoch, Sutherland | Clan Donald "men from Ross" | Clan Sutherland | Sutherland & Murray victory |
Battle of Tannach | 1464 or 1438 | Tannach Moor, SW of Wick | Clan Keith, Clan MacKay | Clan Gunn | Mackay/Keith victory |
Battle of Tarbat | 1480s (1486?) | Tarbat peninsula, Easter Ross | Clan Ross | Clan MacKay | Ross victory |
16th-century clan battles | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Belligerents | Belligerents | Result |
Battle of Achnashellach | 1505 | Achnashellach, Highlands, Scotland | Clan Cameron (Loyal to Domhnall Dubh) | Clan MacKay, Clan Munro (Loyal to James IV of Scotland) | Cameron victory |
Battle of Allt Camhna | 1586 | Allt Camhna, Scottish Highlands, Scotland | Clan MacKay, Clan Gunn | Clan Sinclair | Clan Gunn and Mackay victory |
Battle of Leckmelm | 1586 | Leckmelm, Scottish Highlands, Scotland | Clan Gunn | Mackays of Aberach, Clan Sutherland, Clan MacLeod | Clan MacLeod, Mackay of Aberach & Sutherland victory |
Battle of Alltachuilain | 1518 | Alltachuilain, parish of Loth, county of Sutherland, Scotland | Clan Sutherland, Clan Gordon (loyal to Elizabeth Sutherland and Adam Gordon) | Clan Sutherland (loyal to Alexander Sutherland) | Victory for forces of Elizabeth de Moravia (Elizabeth Sutherland) and Adam Gordon |
Battle of Alltan-Beath | 1542 | Knockartel, Scotland | Clan Sutherland (Supporters of John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland) | Clan MacKay | Clan Sutherland victory |
Battle of Tillieangus | 10 October 1571 | White Hill of Tillyangus, Aberdeenshire, Scotland | Clan Gordon | Clan Forbes | Gordon victory |
Battle of Bun Garbhain | 1570 | Bun Garbhain near Loch Arkaig | Clan Cameron | Chattan Confederation led by Clan Mackintosh | Cameron victory |
Battle of Carberry Hill | 15th June 1567 | Carberry Hill, near Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland | Forces loyal to Mary, Queen of Scots | Forces opposed to Mary, Queen of Scots | Victory for opponents of Mary, Queen of Scots |
Chanonry of Ross | 1569 - 1573 | Castle Chanonry of Ross, Fortrose, Scotland | Clan Munro | Clan Mackenzie, Clan Mackintosh | Munros hand castle over to Mackenzies by an 'Act of Pacification' |
Cleanse the Causeway, (Clear the Causeway) | April 30, 1520 | High Street of Edinburgh, Scotland | Clan Hamilton | Clan Douglas | |
Battle of Clynetradwell | October 1590 | Clyne, near Brora in the county of Sutherland, Scotland | Clan Sutherland (supporters of Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland) | Clan Sinclair (supporters of George Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness) | Earl of Caithness’s army retreats |
Battle of Corrichie | 28 October 1562 | Meikle Tap, Corrichie, Scotland | Queen Mary's forces: Clan Fraser, Clan Munro, Clan Mackenzie, Clan Mackintosh, Clan MacKay, Clan Cameron | Earl of Huntly's forces: Clan Gordon, Clan Brodie | Victory for Queen Mary's forces |
Battle of Craibstone | 20 November 1571 | Craibstone croft, Aberdeenshire | Clan Gordon | Clan Forbes | Gordon victory |
Battle of Dail-Riabhach | 1576 | Dail-Riabhach, Strathnaver, Scottish Highlands | Clan MacKay, Clan Sinclair | Clan MacKay | Victory for brothers John Mackay and Donald Mackay |
Battle of Garbharry | 1555 | Foot of the mountain Beinn-mhor, in Berriedale, Scotland | Clan Sutherland | Clan MacKay | Sutherland victory |
Battle of Glendale (Skye) | traditionally c.1490; though more likely after 1513 | Glendale, Skye | the MacDonalds of Sleat; the MacDonalds of Clanranald | the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan; the MacLeods of Lewis | pyrrhic MacLeod victory |
Battle of Glenlivet | October 3, 1594 | near Allanreid and Morinsh, in Glenlivet, Scotland | Clan Gordon, Clan Hay, Clan Comyn, Clan Cameron | Clan Campbell, Clan Murray, Clan Stewart, Clan Forbes, Clan Macgillivray, Clan MacLean, Clan Grant, Clan MacNeil, Chattan Confederation - Clan Mackintosh. | Marquess of Huntly and Earl of Errol victory |
Siege of Inverness (1562) | 8–11 September 1562 | Inverness, Scotland | Supporters of Mary, Queen of Scots: Clan Fraser, Clan Munro | Supporters of George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly: Clan Gordon | Fraser & Munro victory |
Battle of Traigh Ghruinneart | August 5, 1598 | Islay, Scotland | Clan Donald | Clan MacLean | Clan Donald victory |
Battle of Knock Mary | 1511 | Knockmary near Crieff, Scotland | Clan Murray | Clan Drummond, Clan Campbell | Drummond/Campbell, aided by Faichney and McRobbie, victory |
Battle of Logiebride | 1597 | Conon Bridge, Rosshire, Scotland | Bains of Tulloch, Clan Munro | Clan MacLeod of Raasay, Clan Mackenzie | Results vary from different sources |
Marian Civil War | May 1568 – 28 May 1573 | Kingdom of Scotland | Queen's Men | King's Men | Victory for supporters of King James VI |
Battle of the Shirts | July 1544 | Laggan, north end of Loch Lochy (Laggen and Kinloch Lochy) | Clan Fraser of Lovat, Assisted by Clan Grant | Clan MacDonald of Clanranald, Clan Cameron | Stalemate |
Battle of the Spoiling Dyke | 1578 | Trumpan Church, Ardmore Bay, Scotland | Clan MacDonald of Uist | Clan MacLeod | Clan MacLeod victory |
Battle of Torran Dubh | 1517 | Torran Dubh, near Rogart and Strathfleet, county of Sutherland, Scotland | Clan Sutherland supported by men from the Clan Gordon, Clan Gunn | Clan MacKay | Clan Sutherland victory |
Battle of the Western Isles | 1586 | Isle of Jura, in the Scottish Highlands | Clan MacDonald of Sleat | Clan MacLean | |
17th-century clan battles | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Belligerents | Belligerents | Result |
Battle of Altimarlach | 13 July 1680 | Altimarlach Burn, near Wick, Highland, Scotland | Clan Campbell | Clan Sinclair | Clan Campbell Victory |
Stand-off at the Fords of Arkaig | 13-20 September 1665 | Achnacarry, Scotland | Chattan Confederation | Clan Cameron | No battle |
Battle of Benbigrie | 1600 | Islay, Scotland | Clan MacLean | Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg | Clan Maclean victory |
Battle of Carinish | summer 1601 | Carinish, North Uist | Clan MacDonald of Sleat | Clan MacLeod | MacDonald victory |
Battle of Coire Na Creiche | summer 1601 | Cuillin hills, Skye | Clan MacDonald of Sleat | Clan MacLeod | MacDonald victory |
Battle of Glen Fruin | 9 February 1603 | Glen Fruin, Scotland | Clan Gregor, allied men | Clan Colquhoun, allied men | Clan Gregor victory |
Battle of Morar | 1602 | Morar, near Mallaig, Scotland | Clan Mackenzie, Clan Ross | Clan MacDonald of Glengarry | Tactical draw strategic Mackenzie victory |
Battle of Maol Ruadh | August 1688 | Maol Ruadh, east of Spean Bridge, Scotland | Rebels: Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, Clan Cameron | Government backed troops: Chattan Confederation led by Clan Mackintosh, Highland Independent Company: Clan Mackenzie | Rebel victory |
18th-century clan battles | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Belligerents | Belligerents | Result |
Siege of Blair Castle | 17th March 1746 to 2nd April 1746 | Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland | Scottish Hanoverians: Royal Scots Fusiliers | Jacobites: Clan Murray, Clan Macpherson | Jacobite forces withdrew, government garrison relieved. |
Battle of Coille Bhan | 1721 | Coille Bhan, Attadale, Ross, Scotland | Clan Mackenzie | Colonel Kirk’s Regiment | Tactical government victory, as rebel forces withdrew first, unable to resist. Strategic rebel victory as government force failed to take their lands. |
Battle of Glen Affric | 1721 | Glen Affric, Scotland | Clan Mackenzie, Clan MacRae | Clan Ross | Clan Mackenzie & Clan MacRae victory |
Battle of Littleferry | 15 April 1746 | Littleferry, Scotland | Scottish Hanoverians, Independent Highland Companies, drawn from: Clan MacKay, Clan Sutherland | Jacobites drawn from: Clan Mackenzie, Clan Gregor, Clan Mackinnon | Hanoverian victory |
Skirmish of Tongue | 25th – 26th March 1746 | Tongue, Highland, Scotland | Scottish Hanoverians from: Some from Loudon’s 64 Highlanders Regiment and Two Independent Highland Companies from: Clan MacKay, Clan Sutherland. | Jacobites, Scottish Jacobites, French soldiers, Spanish soldiers | British Hanoverian victory |
Clan Campbell battles | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Allies | Enemies | Result |
Battle of Altimarlach | 13 July 1680 | Altimarlach Burn, near Wick, Highland, Scotland | Clan Campbell | Clan Sinclair | Clan Campbell Victory |
Stand-off at the Fords of Arkaig | 13-20 September 1665 | Achnacarry, Scotland | Chattan Confederation | Clan Cameron | No battle |
Battle of Red Ford | c. 1294 | Loch Awe, Scotland | Clan MacDougall | Clan Campbell | Victory for Alasdair MacDubhgaill |
Clan Macleod battles | |||||
Battle | Date | Location | Allies | Enemies | Result |
Battle of Glendale (Skye) | traditionally c.1490; though more likely after 1513 | Glendale, Skye | the MacDonalds of Sleat; the MacDonalds of Clanranald | the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan; the MacLeods of Lewis | pyrrhic MacLeod victory |
Battle of Leckmelm | 1586 | Leckmelm, Scottish Highlands, Scotland | Clan Gunn | Mackays of Aberach, Clan Sutherland, Clan MacLeod | Clan MacLeod, Mackay of Aberach & Sutherland victory |
Battle of the Spoiling Dyke | 1578 | Trumpan Church, Ardmore Bay, Scotland | Clan MacDonald of Uist | Clan MacLeod | Clan MacLeod victory |
Battle of Bloody Bay | c. 1480 or 1483 | North end of the Sound of Mull, Scotland | Clan Donald, Clan MacLean, Clan MacNeil, Clan MacLeod | Clan MacDonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonald of Sleat, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, Clan MacLeod of Lewis | Victory for Angus Og MacDonald |
Battle of Carinish | summer 1601 | Carinish, North Uist | Clan MacDonald of Sleat | Clan MacLeod | MacDonald victory |
Battle of Coire Na Creiche | summer 1601 | Cuillin hills, Skye | Clan MacDonald of Sleat | Clan MacLeod | MacDonald victory |
Battle of Tuiteam Tarbhach | 1406? | North bank of River Oykel | Clan MacKay, Clan Sutherland | Clan MacLeod of Lewis | Decisive Mackay victory |
Jacobite Risings
Battle of Cromdale | 30 April to 1 May 1690 | Haugh of Cromdale | Orange Covenantor Royalists (Highlanders & Lowlanders) | Jacobite: Highlanders & Irish | inconclusive with both sides claiming victory |
Battles of the first Jacobite rising of 1689–92 | |||||
Battle of Killiecrankie | 27th July 1689 | Killiecrankie, Scotland | Scottish Hanoverians: 3000 Orange Covenantor Royalists | Jacobites: 4000 Highlanders & Irish | Jacobite victory |
Battle of Sheriffmuir | 27th July 1689 | Sheriffmuir, Scotland | Scottish Hanoverians: 6000 British Government forces | Jacobites:12000 Highlanders | inconclusive with both sides claiming victory |
Battles of the second Jacobite rising of 1715 | |||||
Battle of Preston (1715) | 9–14 November 1715 | Preston, Lancashire, England | Scottish Hanoverians: 2,500–3,000 British Government forces | Jacobites:1700 Scottish and English Rebels | British Government victory |
Spanish Invasion of 1719 | |||||
Battle of Glen Shiel | 10th June 1719 | Glen Shiel, Scotland | Scottish Hanoverians: 850 infantry, 120 dragoons, 4 mortar batteries | Jacobites:1,150 troops | British government victory |
For the battles of the Jacobite Rising of 1745 see: Jacobite Rising of 1745
Scots in Foreign Service
Scottish men have served in nearly every European Army either individually, such as in the Crusades, or as units commissioned by the nation. Until the 15th Century these men generally acted as individuals or small units of Knight and his retainers, seeking fame and fortune in foreign armies. With a significant portion of Scottish nobility arriving from Flanders with David I, Scottish Foreign Policy was developed to support trade with the Low Countries. The Auld Alliance between France and Scotland included Flanders and the world's earliest standing units can be found in the Garde Écossaise; the Royal Guard to the King of France. Around 1550 it started to be the foreign policy for Scotland to create units and allow their service on foreign soil, often in preservation of trading interests. In the period between 1570 and 1640 the Privy Council of Scotland received numerous requests to recruit for service overseas generally to protect the interests of Protestant nations. It is unlikely that the Privy Council were aware of the true extent of recruiting. In 1572, when famine hit Edinburgh, the Privy Council provided a decree urging "all able-bodied men" to leave Edinburgh to go to the "wars in Flanders".
By 1620, Scotland's finest were in such high demand that Scotland resorted to commutation of prisoners sentence to meet the recruiting requirement. Units of varying sizes were sent to Bohemia and Denmark that consisted, to a large extent, of "the very worst of Scottish society - beggars, vagabonds and Border outlaws". In 1626 over 14,000 Scots left Scotland for service overseas. In the 20 years to 1640 a recorded 47,110 men would accept foreign service and thousands more were not recorded. Many of these would remain, inter-marry and have children.
For further information see Category: Scots in Foreign Service or for involvement in the Project see Scots in Foreign Service Project.
Research Links
- History of Scotland - Wikipedia
- Military history of Scotland - Wikipedia
- List of battles involving the Kingdom of Scotland - Wikipedia
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