| Battle of Drumchatt (1497) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Rebellion of Domhnall Dubh | |||||||
 Knockfarrel hill also known as thecat's back at Drumchatt where the clan battle is said to have taken place | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Clan Mackenzie Clan Munro (Loyal toJames IV of Scotland) | Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh (Loyal toJohn of Islay, Earl of Ross) | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Hector Roy Mackenzie of Gairloch | Alexander MacDonald of Lochalsh | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
TheBattle of Drumchatt was aScottish clan battle that took place in 1497. TheClan Mackenzie and possibly theClan Munro[note 1] defeated theClan MacDonald of Lochalsh at Drumchatt (Druimchat) or "the Cat's Back", a ridge to the southeast ofStrathpeffer.[1]
In 1493, the powerful chief of theClan Donald,Sir John of Islay, lost his right to the title ofLord of the Isles when it was revoked byJames IV of Scotland, having also already forfeited the title of Earl of Ross in 1475. As a result, many of the western and other northern clans, particularly theClan MacLeod ofHarris andDunvegan, felt that they no longer had to pledge allegiance to the MacDonalds.
In 1495, King James assembled an army at Glasgow. Then, on 18 May, many of the highland chiefs made their submissions to him, including those of theClan Mackenzie andClan Munro. This may explain the unusual alliance between the Munros and Mackenzies who were rival clans. However, while the presence of the Clan Munro at the Battle of Drumchatt in 1497 is mentioned by early 19th-century historian Donald Gregory,[2] according to late 19th-century historianAlexander Mackenzie, the Munros are not mentioned as being present in the earliest account which was written by Sir Robert Gordon in the early 17th century.[3]
The earliest account of the Battle of Drumchatt of 1497 was written bySir Robert Gordon (1580–1650) in his manuscriptA Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland (written in the early 17th century and published in 1813). It is also recorded inDonald Gregory'sHistory of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland (1835). The battle is also recorded by historian William Anderson in his bookThe Scottish Nation: Or, The Surnames, Families, Literature, Honours, and Geographical History of the People of Scotland.[4]
17th-century historianSir Robert Gordon (1580–1650) writes of theskirmish at Drumchatt, as being fought after theBattle of Blar Na Pairce, which was also fought between the MacDonalds and Mackenzies:
Thereafter, some of the islanders and the Clandonald met with Clankeinzie at a place in Ross called Drumchatt, where ensued a sharp skirmish; bot in the even the ilanders wer put to the worst, and chassed out of Rosse at that tyme.[5]
FromDonald Gregory'sHistory of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland from AD 1493 to AD 1625, quoting Gordon. Published in 1881 and reprinted in 1996:
A.D. 1497: "The active share taken by King James in supporting the pretensions ofPerkin Warbeck, withdrew his attention, for a time from the state of the Western Isles, and seems to have given opportunity for a new insurrection—which, however, was suppressed without the necessity for another Royal expedition. Sir Alexander (MacDonald) of Lochalsh — whether with the intention of claiming the earldom of Ross, or of revenging himself on the Mackenzies, for his former defeat at Blairnepark, is uncertain—invaded the more fertile districts of Ross in a hostile manner. He was encountered by the Mackenzies and Munroes at a place called Drumchatt, where, after a sharp skirmish, he and his followers were again routed and driven out of Ross."[2]
Donald Gregory also gives an account of the events in the aftermath of the battle, quoting from the MS histories of the Mackenzies and Mackintoshs:
After this event, the knight of Lochalsh proceeded southward among the Isles, endeavouring to rouse the Islanders to arms in his behalf, but without success owing, probably to the terror produced by the execution ofSir John of Isla and his sons. Meantime,MacIian of Ardnamurchan, judging this a proper opportunity of doing an acceptable service to the King, surprised Lochalsh in the island of Ornasay, whither he had retreated, and put him to death, In this MacIan was assisted by Alexander, the eldest surviving son of John of Isla, with whom he had contrived to effect a reconciliation, and to whom he had given his daughter in marriage.[2]
Sir Alexander of Lochalsh left both sons and daughters, who afterwards fell into the King's hands, and of whom we shall have occasion to speak in the sequel. About the same time as the unsuccessful insurrection of which we have just spoken, the chiefs of Mackenzie and MacKintosh made their escape fromEdinburgh Castle; but, on their way to the Highlands, they were treacherously seized at the Torwood, by theLaird of Buchanan. Mackenzie having offered resistance, was slain, and his head, along with MacIntosh, who was taken alive, was presented to the King by Buchanan. The latter was rewarded, and MacIntosh returned to his dungeon, where he remained till after thebattle of Flodden.[6]
Quoting from: Sir Robert Gordon'sHistory of the Earldom of Sutherland p. 77,Macvurich's MS andMacDonald's MS
Quoting:Gordon, Sir Robert (1580 - 1656)A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland. p. 77.
Quoting from:Macvurich's MS,MacDonald's MS andMS Histories of Mackenzies and Mackintoshes