Battle of Clachnaharry

The Battle of Clachnaharry was a Scottish clan battle that took place in the year 1454. It was fought between the Clan Munro and the Clan MacKintosh.

The Battle

The Munros were returning home after a cattle raid. On their return they had to pass through Clan MacKintosh country and an amount of 'road collop' or passage money was demanded as was the custom. There was a dispute over the amount and in the ensuing fight the it is said that the chief of Clan MacKintosh was killed and John Munro, tutor of Foulis was left for dead on the battlefield. John is said to have been found and returned to his own people.

There are several accounts of this battle in which the date of the battles' occurrence differs, however it is now confirmed through contemporary evidence to have taken place in 1454. Also the MacKintosh account differs in that it is the only account which does not say the chief of Clan MacKintosh or his grandson were slain.

everal accounts

ir Robert Gordon

"John Munro, Tutor of Foulis, travelling homeward on his journey from the South of Scotland towards Ross, did repose himself by the way in Strathdale, between Saint Johnstone (Perth) and Athole, where he fell at variance with the inhabitants of that country, who had abused him. Being returned home to Ross, he gathered his whole kinsmen and followers, and declared unto them how he had been used, craving with all their aid to revenge himself of that injury: unto which motion they harkened willingly, and yielded to assist him to the uttermost of their abilities. Whereupon he singled out three hundred and fifty of the best and ablest men among them, and went with these to Strathdale, which he wasted and spoiled, killed some of the people and carried away their cattle. In his return home as he was passing by the Isle of Moy with the prey, MacKintosh (chieftain of the Clan Chattan) sent to him to crave a part of the spoil, being persuaded thereto by some evil disposed persons about him, and challenging the same as due unto him by custom. John Munro, in courtesy, offered unto MacKintosh a reasonable portion, which he, through evil counsel, refused to accept, and would have no less thn half of the whole booty; whereupon John Munro would not hearken or yield, but goeth on his intended journey homeward. MacKintosh convenes his forces with all diligence, and follows John Munro, whom he overtook at Clachnaharry, beside Inverness, hard by the ferry of Kessock. John perceiving MacKintosh and his company following them hard at hand, he sent fifty of his men home to Ferindonald with the spoil, and encouraged the rest of his followers to fight; so there ensued a cruel conflict, wherein MacKintosh was slain, with the most part of his company; divers of the Munros were also slain. John Munro was left as dead on the field,and was taken up by the Lord Lovat his predecessor, who carried him to his house, where he was cured of his wounds; and was from thenceforth called John Baclamhach, because he was mutilated of one of his hands all the rest of his days. From this John Baclamhach Munro of the family of Milntown Munro descended" [Sir Robert Gordon, "History of the Earl of Sutherland"]

John Anderson

"The Munros, a distinguished tribe in Ross, returned from an inroad they had made in the south of Scotland, passed by Moyhall, the seat of MacKintosh, leader of the Clan Chattan . A share of the booty, or road-callop, payable to a chief for traversing his domains, was demanded and acceded to; but MacKintoshes avaricious coveting the whole, proposal met with contempt. MacKintosh summond his vassals to extort compliance. The Munros pursuing their journey, forded the river Ness a little above the Islands, and dispatched the cattle they had plundered across the hill of Kinmylies, to Lovat's province. Their enemies came up with them at the point of Clachnaharry, and immediately joined battle. The conflict was such as might have been expected from men excited to revenge by a long and inveterate enmity. Quarter was neither sought nor granted. After an obstinate struggle MacKintosh was killed. The survivors of this band retraced their steps to their own country. John Munro, tutor of Fowlis was left for dead upon the field; from the loss of his arm he ever after acquired the name of John Baclamhach. The Munros were not long in retaliating. Having collected a sufficient force, they marched in the dead of night for the Isle of Moy where the chief of MacKintosh resided. By the aid of some planks which they had carried with them, and now put together, they crossed to the Isle, and glutted their thirst for revenge by murder or captivity of all the inmates" [John Anderson, "Historical Account of the Clan Fraser". Quoting from an MS history in the Advocate's Library]

MacKintosh of Kinrara

"In 1454 a sudden and unexpected contest sprung up between Malcolm MacKintosh, commonly called Gilliecallum Og, Mac-Mhic Gilliechallum Beg, grandson of the aforementioned MacKintosh (of MacKintosh), and John Munro, tutor of Fowlis. A very keen contest followed. The origin of it was this: John Munro was the second son of Hugh Munro of Fowlis, and acted tutor to John Munro, his nephew, by his brother, George Munro of Fowlis. Returning from a tour to the South for dispatching his pupil's business, a disenssion took place between him and the inhabitants of Strathardale. He was contemptuously treated and loaded with great abuse. Intent upon revenge he comes home, informing his friends and relations of the injury he has sustained, and implores their assistance. At the head of two hundred chosen men he advances with all possible speed, and before his approach is observed enters Stratharale, ravges the country, and arries off the herds of cattle. At the River Findhorn, on his return, the afore-mentioned Malcolm Og meets him by accident, and understanding the matter is urged by the young men that follow him to demand a part of the plunder. John offers him twenty-four cows and a bull, which Malcolm Og proudly and rashly rejects, insisting on no less than one-third part. John treats his demand with scorn and proceeds on his way, determined to give none. Malcolm Og, incensed, instantly communicates this to his friends, and immediately commands the inhabitants of Petty and Lochardil to follow John and obstruct his passage until he, with his men of Strathnairn, shall have come up. His commands are obeyed. They pursue John beyond the water of Ness, and overtake him at a place called Clachnaharry. He (John) sends off forty men with the booty, and encourages the rest to fight. A fierce conflict ensues. A few fell on each side. John, almost slain is left mong the dead, but Lord Lovat upon better information takes care of his recovery. John was afterwards called 'Baichlich', ie:maimed, because he lost his hand in that engagement. From him descend the family of Milntown. Malcolm Og was not present at that battle, which arose from his temerity, for the conflict took place before he came up. The same Malcolm Og afterwards married Janet Munro, sister of John." [MacKintosh History by MacKintosh of Kinrara]

haw

"A shameful and bloody conflict happened betwixt the MacKintoshes and Munros in the year 1454. The occasion was this - John Munro, tutor of Fowlis, in his return his return from Edinburgh, rested upon a meadow in Stratherdale, and both he and his servants falling asleep, the peevish owner of the meadow cut off the tails of his horses. This he resented as the Turks would resent cutting off their horses tails which they reckon a grievous insult. He returned soon with three hundred and fifty men, spoiled Stratherdale, and drove away their cattle; in passing the Loch of Moy in Strathern he was observed. MacKintosh then residing in the Island of Moy, sent to ask a "Stike Raide-Staoig Raithid-" or "Stick Criech-Staoig Crech" that is, a Road Callop; a custom among the Highlanders, that when a party drove away spoil through a gentleman's land they should give him part of the spoil. Munro offered what he thought reasonable, but more was demanded; MacKintosh, irritated by some provoking words given to his messenger, convocated a body of men, pursued the Munros and at Clachnaharry, near Inverness, they fought desperately. Many were killed on each side, among whom was the Laird of MacKintosh: John Munro was wounded and lamed, and was after called John Bacilach. The Munros had the great adavantage of ground by lurking among the rocks; whilst the MacKintoshes were exposed to their arrows. How rude and barbarous was the spirit of men in those days and upon what trifling, nay shameful, provications did they butcher one another ?" [Shaw. Province of Moray. p.219]

Clachnaharry Monument

The Clachnaharry Battle Monument marks the clash between the Munroes and the MacKintoshes. The monument was built by Major Hugh Robert Duff in about 1820. The monument did once include a tall column about 40ft to 50ft high but it fell over in a storm in about 1951, after being struck by lightning. One side of the monument reads "Munro" and the other sidereads "Chattan" facing the two clans respective territories. [ [http://www.clanmunro.org.uk/clachnaharry/clach.htm Clachnaharry ] ] [ [http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=1789 Am Baile - Clachnaharry Monument, Clachnaharry, Inverness ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Humanities/FSCNS/Scots_NS/Hty_Sct/Conflict_Clans/CC/Clachnaharry.html Clachnaharry@Conflicts of the Clans]
* [http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/mackint2.html Clan MacKintosh@ElecticScotland]
* [http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/conflict/Clachnaharry.html http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/conflict/Clachnaharry.html]
* [http://www.clanmunro.org.uk/clachnaharry/clach.htm Clachnaharry battle monument]