Battle of Harpsdale

Harpsdale in modern times

Date	1426
Location	Harpsdale, south of Halkirk, Caithness grid reference ND114561 ^[1] Coordinates: 58°29′N 3°31′W / 58.483°N 3.517°W / 58.483; -3.517
Result	Inconclusive.

Belligerents

Clan Mackay

Clan Gunn
Clan Keith

Commanders and leaders

Angus Du Mackay, 7th of Strathnaver

Strength

Unknown

Casualties and losses

"great slaughter"

Clan Mackay-Clan Gunn feud

Harpsdale Sandside Chase Tannach Torran Dubh Allt Camhna Leckmelm

The Battle of Harpsdale (Battle of Achardale, Battle of Harpasdal) was a Scottish clan battle fought in 1426 at Achardale, about 8 miles (13 km) south of Thurso. The Clan Mackay had invaded Caithness from the west and Harpsdale was where the local clans of Gunn and Keith chose to make a stand. Despite great slaughter on both sides, the battle appears to have been inconclusive.^[2]

Battle

Sir Robert Gordon (1580–1656) wrote an account of the battle in his book, the Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland:

In the days of Robert, Earl of Sutherland, the year 1426, Angus-Dow Mackay, and his son Niel, assembling all the forces of Strathnaver, they entered into Caithness with all hostility, and spoiled the same. The inhabitants of Caithness convened with all diligence, and fought against Angus-Dow Mackay at Harpsdale, where there was great slaughter on either side. The report hereof came to the ears of King James the First, who thereupon came north to Inverness, of intention to pursue Angus-Dow Mackay. Hearing of the king's being at Inverness, he came and submitted himself to the king's mercy, and gave his son Niel in pledge for his good obedience from thenceforward: which submission the king accepted, and sent Niel Mackay to remain in captivity on the Bass Rock who from thenceforth was always called Niel-Bass Mackay.^[3]

Aftermath

In the aftermath of this and several other battles, including Harlaw, King James I of Scotland assembled a Parliament at Inverness in spring 1427 to restore order in the Highlands. Many Highland chiefs were arrested and punished including Alexander MacDonald, Lord of the Isles and his mother Mary, the Countess of Ross.

After the battle, when he heard that the King was at Inverness, Angus Du Mackay came and submitted himself to the King's mercy and gave his son Neil in pledge of his obedience in time coming. The King accepted and sent Neil Mackay to remain in captivity on the Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth. Afterwards he was called Neil Wasse Mackay.^[4] Angus Dow Mackay, who was called the "leader of 4000 Mackays" of Strathnavern was arrested as well as Kenneth More, John Ross, William Leslie, Angus Murray and Macmaken, each of them also a chief of 2000. Two men were tried, condemned and beheaded. One of them, who had murdered the late Lord of the Isles, was also executed in impartial justice. The others were scattered as prisoners in different castles and time after time, some were condemned to death and some were restored to liberty.^[5]

References

↑ Site Record for Achardale, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
↑ Calder, James Traill. (1861). Sketch of the Civil and Traditional History of Caithness from the Tenth Century. Chapter V.
↑ Gordon, Sir Robert. (1580–1656). A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland. Originally written between 1615 and 1625, published in 1813. pp. 63 - 64.
↑ Mackay, Robert. (1829). History of the House and Clan of Mackay. pp. 58.
↑ Mackay, Robert. (1829). History of the House and Clan of Mackay. pp. .57 - 58.

External links

Scottish clan battles

14th century	Battle of the Pass of Brander Battle of Dalrigh Battle of Drumlui Battle of Invernahavon Battle of the North Inch

15th century	Battle of Aldy Charrish Battle of Arbroath Battle of Brechin Battle of Arkinholm Battle of Bealach nam Broig Battle of Blar Na Pairce Battle of Bloody Bay Battle of Craignaught Hill Battle of Champions Battle of Clachnaharry Battle of Corpach Battle of Craig Cailloc Battle of Dingwall Battle of Drumchatt Battle of Drumnacoub Battle of Harlaw Battle of Harpsdale Battle of Inverlochy (1431) Siege of Inverness (1429) Battle of Lochaber Battle of Palm Sunday Raid on Ross Sandside Chase Battle of Skibo and Strathfleet Battle of Tannach Battle of Tarbat Battle of Tuiteam Tarbhach

16th century	Battle of Achnashellach Battle of Alltachuilain Battle of Allt Camhna Battle of Leckmelm Battle of Alltan-Beath Battle of Bun Garbhain Battle of Carberry Hill Cleanse the Causeway Chanonry of Ross Battle of Clynetradwell Battle of Corrichie Battle of Craibstone Battle of Dryfe Sands Battle of Garbharry Battle of Glendale Battle of Glenlivet Battle of Traigh Ghruinneart Siege of Inverness (1562) Battle of Knock Mary Battle of Langside Battle of Linlithgow Bridge Battle of Logiebride Battle of Melrose Battle of the Shirts Battle of the Spoiling Dyke Battle of Summerdale Battle of Tillieangus Battle of Torran Dubh Battle of the Western Isles

17th century	Battle of Altimarlach Stand-off at the Fords of Arkaig Battle of Benbigrie Battle of Carinish Battle of Coire Na Creiche Battle of Glen Fruin Battle of Morar Battle of Maol Ruadh

see also	Scottish clan Jacobite risings Wars of Scottish Independence Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms Anglo-Scottish Wars Marian civil war Military of Scotland Manrent Massacre of Glencoe

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