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Scottish Military History

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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.

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