| Battle of Altimarlach | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Scottish clan wars | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Clan Campbell MacGregors of Glengyle | Clan Sinclair | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Sir John Campbell | George Sinclair of Keiss | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 800 | 500 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| very low | 300 | ||||||
The Battle of Altimarlach or Battle of Altimarlech was a Scottish clan battle that took place on 13 July 1680. It was fought between the Clan Campbell and Clan Sinclair.[1]
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In 1672, debt forced George Sinclair, 6th Earl of Caithness, to resign his titles and estates in favour of Sir John Campbell. Campbell took possession of the estates on Sinclair's death in May 1676, and was created earl of Caithness in June the following year. Sinclair's heir, George Sinclair of Keiss disputed the claim and seized the land in 1678.[1]
On 13 July 1680, Campbell took a force of 800 men north to evict Sinclair of Keiss, who was waiting for him with 500 men near Wick. Inflamed with drink, the Sinclairs attacked the force of Campbells and were routed. Legend has it that so many Sinclairs were killed that the Campbells were able to cross the river without getting their feet wet.[1]
Having failed to regain his inheritance by force, Sinclair of Keiss then turned to the law. He took his place as Earl of Caithness on 15 July 1681, and his lands were restored on 23 September. Campbell was made Earl of Breadalbane by way of compensation.[1]