scotland

Total Entries: 46

Scots battles by region Friday, 5/19/06, 4:56 AM

The previous list has been expanded on 19/05/2006, but the links have dropped out.

Web Site: The War Tourist

battle of Haddon or Hadden Rigg Friday, 5/19/06, 4:55 AM

Not much can be found on the web concerning this small border skirmish.

From: Teviotdale

The Border Reivers Friday, 5/19/06, 4:53 AM

20pp document

Web Site: Linda Bruce Caron

battles in Ross-shire Thursday, 5/18/06, 4:35 AM

¿Apart from occasional conflicts between rival clans, the only battles in the Ross-shire were those of Invercarron, at the head of Dornoch Firth, when Montrose was crushed by Colonel Strachan on 27 April 1650, and Glenshiel, when the Jacobites, under the earl of Seaforth, aided by Spaniards, were defeated, at the pass of Strachel, near Bridge of Shiel, by General Wightman on 11 June 1719¿

From: northern Highlands

The Battle of Inchbare (Auchenreoch) 1130 Sunday, 1/29/06, 1:51 AM

The battle took place on the 16th April 1130. David I of Scotland had lived in the English court and on accession brought in large numbers of his Norman friends and settled them on lands confiscated from the native Scots and Gaels. The Gael Angus of Moray revived his late father's claim to the throne and made contact with other Celtic Mormaors, including Somerled Lord of the Isles, and Malcolm the Mormaor of Ross, highly experienced warriors against the Norsemen. Ross joined him but Somerled turned him down. Fergus of Galloway and about 300 mounted men sailed to Kintyre to join the Moray men. Angus and his brother Malcolm raised an army of no more than 10,000 clansmen (armed with spears, two handed swords, hunting bows and battle axes), and the Mormaor of Ross raised another 5,000 clansmen. Once Fergus joined them at the rendezvous near Torfness (modern Burghead), they received news that David was on his Huntingdonshire estates and the way was clear to seize the throne. They marched at the beginning of April 1130, when the passes were largely clear of snow, taking the Strathbogie route south, to Mar and thence over the Cairn of Mounth to Fettercairn, where they stopped for a couple of days to rustle cattle. The Moray men then moved into the Edzell and Stracathro areas, making their base in the woodlands north of the river North Esk. This area made a good base for pillaging the rich lands thereabouts. David's High Constable, Edward De Morville, the son of Earl Siward (of Northumbria) immediately called on the Norman landowners to rendezvous at Forfar. He realised that the most effective weapon at his disposal was the armoured Norman knight. He was joined by Cospatric, Earl of Dunbar with nearly 800 mosstroopers, lightly armoured cavalry on smaller horses, very nimble and fleet footed. Constantine, the Earl of Fife brought over 400 Norman knights and nearly 1,000 foot soldiers. The High Constable soon had a force of 3,500 horsemen and knights and about 5,000 foot soldiers armed with short swords, axes, flails and spears, but no bowmen. By the 14th April his forces were mustered at Forfar and mounted scouts were sent out to find the Moray men. First contact was made on the hill named Lundie (sliabh na Leann dhe, Hill of God's meadow), between Dunbar's scouts and those of Fergus of Galloway. The Constable reckoned that the Moray men were moving towards the ford at Inchbare on the River North Esk and the wide flat flood plain on the south side of the ford was ideal for mounted action. Angus and the Constable both sent out scouts to probe each other's positions. The Constable allowed his foot soldiers to be seen gathered on an island of higher ground, at Baile a Loune (Ballownie). He concealed his cavalry behind a nearby hill to make Angus believe that he was facing a small force of 5,000 men to oppose his army of 15,000 men. Malcolm of Ross advised caution and to send out the Galloway men as scouts to find out how many and where the Constable's men were located. Angus, immature, headstrong and inexperienced, sent out a few handfuls of scouts before marching his army over the ford (now bridged by the Westwater bridge) at first light. As the morning mists lifted they saw the Constable's 5,000 foot soldiers and they formed up into a great body to carry out their usual mass charge. A group of Norman horsemen seeing the enemy forming up, became impatient and attacked. The Constable then had no choice but to send in the rest of his horsemen. To meet the charge, the Moray men used the tried and tested tactic of forming an impenetrable hedge of their long spears supported by bowmen, and clansmen in the back row armed with poleaxes, axes and dirks prepared to dash out to disable the horses as soon as they reached the line of spears. Horsemen were dragged down to their deaths. Cas

From: From Brechin, take the B966 road 4 miles north. 300 metres south of the bridge over the North Esk is the ford by the Island of Inchbare = Innisbeur. Ordnance Survey sheet 45, grid reference 606658.

Web Site: Siol-nan-gaidheal

Sea Battle of Torfness Monday, 1/16/06, 11:46 AM

The Norse Jarls of Orkney may have ruled over the Moray Picts around 1014, but were rolled back after their catastrophic defeat at Clontarf in Ireland. However some time between 1030 and 1045, they were again on the offensive. Earl Thorfinn the Mighty beat a mysterious ¿Karl Hundason¿ in a sea fight off the headland at Tarbat. Hundason was perhaps the Norse pseudonym for the Pictish King of Moray, who may at the time have been Macbeth. ¿Although the Pictish monastery of Portmahomack may seem well off the beaten track, in a sea-faring society it occupied a key strategic position. On a clear day from the Tarbat peninsula, one can see across the Moray, Cromarty and Dornoch Firths, back to the Moray Coast and north to Sutherland. It has the best beach in the area for the landing of boats. It is possible to travel from Portmahomack to the Iona monastery on the west coast by boat, landing only once, at the foot of Loch Ness¿. There is physical evidence that the monastery was sacked, probably following this nearby sea battle.

From: Off Tarbat Ness, Easter Ross, on the north shore of the Moray Firth

Web Site: Tarbat Discovery Centre

The Border Reivers Friday, 11/11/05, 8:56 AM

For over 350 years up to the end of the 16th century what are now Northumberland, Cumbria, The Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway rang to the clash of steel and the thunder of hooves. The great border tribes of both Scotland and England feuded continuously among themselves. Robbery and blackmail were everyday professions; raiding, arson, kidnapping, murder and extortion an accepted part of the social system.

Web Site: Reivers Guide

Battle of Kilsyth (1645) Friday, 11/11/05, 8:55 AM

Montrose's great victory over the Covenanters. See also http://www.kilsyth.org.uk/history/Battle_Kilsyth/batt le_of_kilsyth.htm

Web Site: Kilsyth Council

Battle of Loch Sligachan 148x Wednesday, 11/9/05, 9:31 AM

William Macleod of Harris was one of the most daring chiefs of his time. Having incurred the resentment of his superior, John the last Lord of the Isles, that powerful chief invaded his territory with a large force, but was defeated at a place called Lochsligachan. Macleod was, however, one of the principal supporters of the Lord of the Isles in his disputes with his turbulent and rebellious son, Angus, and was killed, in 1481, at the battle of Bloody Bay, Nr Tobermory, IO Mull, where also the eldest son of Roderick Macleod of the Lewis was mortally wounded. Angus had been supported against the islanders by the mainland Campbells of Argyll and Stewarts of Atholl.

From: Harris, Outer Hebrides

Blar Milleadh Garaidh, the Battle of the Spoiling of the Dyke Wednesday, 11/9/05, 9:24 AM

On a Sunday when the MacLeods of Vaternish were at service in the church at Trumpan, a body of MacDonalds from Uist, having landed at Ardmore, set fire to the church , and burnt it with all its worshippers except one woman, who escaped through a window. The MacDonald galleys, however, and the smoke of the burning, had been seen from Dunvegan, and MacLeod had sent out the Fiery Cross. As he came within sight, the MacDonalds rushed to their boats; but the tide had left them high and dry, and as they struggled to launch them the MacLeods rushed to the attack, and everyone of the MacDonalds was slain. The bodies of the dead were laid in a long row beside a turf dyke at the spot, and the dyke was overthrown upon them, from which fact the battle gains its name. A few years later the MacDonalds made another raid and swept off all MacLeod¿s cattle; but they were overtaken near the same spot, a terrible fight took place, and nearly everyone of the MacDonalds was killed. It is said that on each side, on this last occasion, a blacksmith remained fighting in full armour. The MacLeod blacksmith was beginning to faint from loss of blood when his wife came upon the scene, and with a cry struck the enemy with her distaff. MacDonald turned his head, and at the moment was run through and slain. In the same battle a son of MacLeod of Unish was fighting valiantly when a MacDonald rushed at him, and hewed off his legs at the knees. Nevertheless MacLeod continued to fight standing on his stumps, and the spot where at last he fell is still known after him as the Knoll of the Son of Ian.

From: Trumpan, Vaternish peninsula, IO Skye

Battle of Arbroath 1446 Wednesday, 11/9/05, 8:54 AM

¿In 1446 the area in front of Arbroath Abbey was the scene of a bloody battle¿. Unfortunately, details seem hard to come by on the net!!

From: the Mearns

Battle of Roslin 1303 Wednesday, 11/9/05, 8:52 AM

The Marcher Lord Neville¿s English force was ambushed at the top of the gorge, pushed over a cliff, and destroyed by the archers and pikemen of Lord Comyn¿s force, who were actually outnumbered four to one by the English. The battle is little known even today, since the Comyn¿s success was hushed up by their successful rivals for the Scots throne, the Bruces.

From: Above Roslin Glen on the river Esk in Midlothian

Web Site: Clan Sinclair

Some Scottish battles of the Dark Ages Friday, 7/22/05, 10:36 AM

Degastan 603 ¿ Aethelfrith of Northumbria defeated Aedan of Dalriada Plains of Manaw (between Linlithgow and Stirling) 711AD. Northumbrians slaughtered the Picts. Storming of Dunadd (in Dalriada) 736 by Oengus the Pict. ¿Dunadd, in north Lochgilphead, Argyll, was probably the seat of the kings of Dalriada. Cnoc Coirpre (in Calathros) 736 Scots defeated by Talorgen the Pict. Fortriu (Strathearn) 761 ¿ Aedfind the Scot defeats Ciniod the Pict. Strath Ethairt (Strathearn??) 654. ¿Dunchad (Duncan) mac Conaing co-ruled Dalriada with Conall II (c. 650 - 654). He was defeated and killed by Talorcan mac Enfrith, king of the Picts, in this battle¿ Strathearn 904 Ivarr the Dane checked and killed by the Scots.

Camlann 539 Wednesday, 7/6/05, 4:08 AM

The Annales Cambriae record in 539 AD ¿The strife of Camlann in which Arthur and Medraut perished¿ Camlann has been variously identified as on the River Cam, Somerset; the River Camel, Cornwall; Camlann valley in Wales, and Camelon in Stirlingshire. Of these Camelon seems to have the best claim as Arthur, in legend, perished at the hands of the Picts. Stirlingshire would be the boundary of the Mannan and the Pictish kingdoms. David Carroll has an alternative theory that Camlann is at the River Allan, though again placed in Stirlingshire around the Bridge of Allan, as Camlann can be interpreted as the crooked Allan.

From: Stirlingshire

Reverse chronology of Scottish battles Tuesday, 1/25/05, 10:03 AM

Web Site: Thewartourist.com

Scots battles by region Tuesday, 1/25/05, 10:01 AM

http://www.thewartourist.com/files/scotland/Scottish_ battles_by_region.htm

Web Site: TheWarTourist.com

further chronology of Scottish battles Tuesday, 1/18/05, 12:16 PM

Web Site: The Gaelic site

Battle of Bothwell Bridge Sunday, 1/16/05, 5:47 AM

This battle of 1678, where Claverhouse's artillery put the Covenanter rebles to rout, was fought at the lowest crossing point over the Clyde. If in the neighbourhood, the charming and historic village of New Lanark is worth a visit too.

From: Clyde Valley

The Battle of Arderydd 573 Tuesday, 10/5/04, 4:47 AM

The Domesday Book describes the Battle (that took place A.D. 573) as follows: The battle of Arderydd between the sons of Elifer and Gwenddolau, son of Ceidio; in which battle Gwenddolau fell, and Merlin became mad. A Welsh notation tells us of the army of Gwenddolau, Son of Ceidaw of Arderydd, which fought the battle 14 days and a month after the slaying of their master. Another triad mentions the withdraw of Dreon the Brave of the fortress of Arderydd. There is another triad naming this battle one of the three senseless, begun because of vanity. The motivation for the battle must have been religious or political-religious; on one side being the Christian kingdoms, heirs of a maybe still living Roman tradition and on the other half- heathen customs and perspectives kept by the bards, which also held up the memory of Roman hegemony before Christendom. It must have happened as follows: On the Roman street leading from Carlisle to the North, the riders of Peredur (Parzival) and Gwrgi, two brothers from distant York, approach; the lance-flag of Dunawd the Stout is also flying in the wind next to whom - with a face contorted by pain - marches Cynfelyn the leper. Behind them on the dusty path the lower rank and file; in the tight closed rows of spear points also crucifixes and relics can be seen. They just pass the abandoned roman fortress of Netherby to their left as in front of them rise the dark walls of the heathen fort. The columns wind to the ford of the Carwhinley, suddenly on the opposite slope a flash of steel. Challanging horns blow for fight and Dreon throws his scorn at the christian army. Peredur and Dunawd bring the rank and file into position, while many fidgety eyes look back the long street. Every single man is needed today, but where is Dinogad from the distant Powys who had sworn to meet them? Here the battlecry the cavalry gallop through the shallow water and throw their spears at Dreon's men. A hard fight begins. Dreon finally falls and the christians push towards the grass-covered plains, where Gwenddolau has assembled his main army. Over the heads of the warriors rises the earth-wall that surrounds the fort, and on its upper border, standing out against the sky, the grey defenses, a ring of poles topped with chopped off heads. And who is there coated in stag leather sitting at the slope with a tamed wolf at his feet that encourages Gwenddolaus men with wild song praising the braveness of the ancestors? As the night dawns Gwenddolau lies among the dead and a black raven sits on his white breast. The surviving of his guard have entrenched in the fortress. »It is a bad place to be: we hear trumpets and loud cries!« »What is to be done?« »There is on advice but closing the fort behind us and wait as well as we can.« The palisades and gates are solid, the walls sloping, and inside ready for anything, deadly brave men. Again and again Peredur orders the aussault that ends in bloody manslaughter. Not hard to guess, the Christian party won the battle and thus the druids lost their might. Myrddin (or Merlin??) - seing his slain master - became insane. Other sagas say that he fought in the battle and killed his niece and nepew. It is also said that Myrddin saw warriors fighting in the sky what might have been a comet, visible in North-Europe in 574. Anyhow he thence lived in the forest of Caledon (near Lockerbie in the valleys of Moffat and Annan at Hart Fell called the Black Mountain) and did not return to society.

From: Liddesdale, at the junction of Liddle and Esk.

Web Site: Gaulois

The Battle of Glendale 1530 Tuesday, 10/5/04, 4:34 AM

The Chief of Clan Macleod, Alasdair Crotach was not at Dun Bheagan but in Harris when the Macdonalds landed. His mother who was a Maclean of Loch Buy ordered the famous Fairy flag of Clan Macleod to be unfurled but the standard bearer would not obey ¿ presumably because the flag famously has only three magical charges. The Lady would not accept his refusal and the galleys went forth through Loch Dunvegan with Fairy Flag, Standard Bearer and of course the Lady herself. The castle warden begged her to stay at the galleys but the lady went up the clif where she stayed temporarily while the warriors went to the valley to encounter. After a while it seemed clear that victory was on Macdonald's side. The Macleods were pushed back to their galleys and it was obvious that the Lady was soon to be cut off. So she the flag and two men were sent away by the castle warden. But the lady called this complete nonsense and would not leave but ordered the Fairy Flag to be produced towards the enemy - still cased as no one but the chief was allowed to unfurl it. Thus the Macleods realized that the flag was there and that it together with the lady was in danger of being seized. So they made a new effort and in battle rage swept away the Macdonalds. When Alasdair Crotach arrived from Poultiel the lady went back to the galleys. The Flag was according to this tradition not actually waved, but sometimes this occasion was said to have been the first when it was unfurled. Other battles involving the Fairy Flag included Trumpan, Sligachan, and Bloody Bay.

Web Site: The Battle of Glendale 1530

The Old Bookshelf, Campbeltown Wednesday, 9/22/04, 3:59 AM

A rural bookstore set in the heart of historic Campbeltown The Old Bookshelf presently lists some 10,000 out of print titles online with more added daily. Our stock includes fiction, local history, a religious collection plus a range of children's titles. A good selection of books about Kintyre, both in and out of print, is always available. A visit to the shop is a rewarding experience with character oozing from the shelves and an excellent selection available to view. Our website enables those unable to make the trip to purchase online, with purchases despatched to your home within two working days. The Old Bookshelf, 8 Cross Street, Campbeltown Tel: 01586 551114.

From: Campbeltown

Web Site: The Old Bookshelf, Campbeltown

Email: theoldbookshelf@aol.com

Comprehensive listing of battles in Scotland Tuesday, 9/21/04, 3:10 AM

From: Scotland

Web Site: Comprehensive listing of battles in Scotland

more Highland battles Monday, 9/20/04, 9:05 AM

Battle of Stalomon, nr Portnacroish, Appin, 1468 Battle (at head) of Loch Gruinart, nr. Bridgend, Islay, 1598; Macdonalds beat the Macleans, and afterwards burnt some of them inside a nearby chapel, but were ultimately unsuccessful in resurrecting their Lordship of the Isles. Battle at Rhunahaorine, north of Tayinloan, Mull of Kintyre, 1647

Scottish battles - a comprehensive list Friday, 9/17/04, 5:38 AM

84 Mons Graupius, Aberdeenshire (Romans invasion of Scotland) - Agricola beats Calgacus 125 Hadrian's Wall built 184 circa Ulpius Marcellus defeats some tribes from Central Scotland along the Wall 306 Constantius I campaign against the Picts and Scots 333 Romans begin pulling troops from Britain and abandon work on Hadrian's Wall 342 Picts attack the protected territories north of Hadrian's Wall 360 Picts and Scots (Irish) cross Hadrian's Wall and attack Roman Forces in Britain 542 Glen Water, Ayrshire - King Arthur victorious 560 Dalriada, Lorn - King Brude regains control of the area 573 Lora, Kintyre - Duncan MacCongail defeated 578 Isle of Jura, Argyllshire - Scots v Britons? 590 Leithreid, Sutherland - Aidan victorious 596 Ratho near Edinburgh - Aidan victorious 596 Ardsendoin - Aidan victorious 600 near Chirchind - Aidan defeated by the Picts 600 near Corinnie, Aberdeenshire - Aidan defeated by the Picts 600 Catraeth (Catterick?) - 300 Edinburgh horsemen killed by English 603-85 Battles of Northumbria 603 Degsastan or Daegestan (Dawston in Liddesdale?), Roxburgh 621 Cindelgthen, Argyllshire - clan war 627 Ardacorain, Kintyre - clan war 629 Faedhaeoin, Scotland - Conadh Kerr beaten by Rigullan 634 Calathros, Stirlingshire 635 Seguise, Perthshire - Nectan family beaten by Garnait 638 Glenmarreston, near Edinburgh, Merioneth (Angles beat the Scots) 642 December; Strathcarron, Stirlingshire 685 20th May; Dunnichen Moss nr Forfar 710 Carron River - Picts beaten 711 Loch Arklet, Stirlingshire - Scots victorious over Britons 717 Minvircc, Perthshire - Scots beat the Britons 719 Finglen, Dunbartonshire 727 Irroisfoichnae, Argyllshire 727-9 Monacrib, Perthshire - long running local clan war 728 Caislen Crathi - clan war 729-30 Montcarno, Moray - clan war 730 12th August; Dromaderg Blathmig, Angus - Picts beaten 734 Unrecorded battle - Talorgan beat Brudi 736 Cnuicc Coipri - local clans 737 Unidentified clan battle 739 Dalriada - clan warfare 739 Twini Onirbre - clan warfare 742 Dunadd, Caithness - Scots beaten by MacFergus 743 Droma Cathvaoil - clan warfare 744 Mugdock, Dunbartonshire - Angus beats the Britons 746 Catho - Welsh beat the Picts 752 Sreith, Kincardineshire - quarrel between the Picts 756 Alcluith, Dumbarton - Britons defeated 763 Fortren - site unidentified 786 First Viking Raids 788 Unrecorded site - Constantine I beats MacTeige 836 Ayr, Ayrshire - Kenneth I beaten by the Britons 839 Unrecorded site (Danish Invasion) - Danes beat Eogan 875 Dollar (Danish Invasion of Scotland) 877 Crail, Fife (Danish Invasion) - Danes beat the Scots 900 Forres 902 Holme (or The Holm) (Danish Invasion) - Danes victorious 903 Dunkeld, Perthshire (Danish Invasion) - Danes victorious over Scottish King 904 Forteviot, Perthshire (Danish Invasion) - Scottish King beats Danes 904 circa Scone, Perthshire (Danish Invasion) - Scottish King beats Danes 913-6? Corbridge, Northumberland Constantine III of Scotland beats Ragnall 921 Tynemoore, Northumberland (Danish Invasion) - Danes beaten by Scottish king 941 Tyninghame, East Lothian (Danish Invasion) - Danes beaten by the Saxons 942 Unidentified site - Saxons victorious 953 "Bloody Pots" (Gamrie), Banffshire (Danish Invasion) - Danes beaten 954 Fetteresso, Kincardineshire - local battle 961 The Bands (Danish Invasion of Scotland) 961 Cullen, Moray (Danish Invasion of Scotland) - Danes beaten 965 Drumcrob, Perthshire - local battle 967 Forres, Moray - local battle 973 Luncarty, Perthshire (Danish Invasion of Scotland) - King Kenneth II defeats the Danes 977 Skida Moor, Caithness - local battle 997 Rathinveramon, Perthshire - local battle 100*? Skidhamyrr, Caithness - Norsemen attack Scots 1004/5 Monnivaird (or Monzievaird), Perthshire - local battle 1006 Durham - Malcolm, King of Scotland victorious 1008 Forres, Moray - local battle 1009-12 Danish Invasion 10

From: Scotland!

Web Site: Siol-Nan-Gaidheal

Battle of Traigh Gruinart 1598 Friday, 9/17/04, 5:29 AM

Islay was the administrative centre of the Lords of the Isles, after the Hebrides had been wrested by Somerled from the Vikings and the king of Man in the 12th century. The Lords military power was based at Dunyvaig, while the administrative base was at Finlaggan, and they also had a small stronghold at Loch Gorm. James N led a campaign against the Lords in 1493, and their power was crushed. Most of the lands were retained by the MacDonalds, but the Rhinns were given, with much argument, to the MacLeans of Duart. This dispute came to battle at Traigh Gruinart in 1598 and the MacLeans were routed. Lachlan MacLean of Duart, their chief, was slain, and some of the clansmen were burned in the chapel here.

From: Kilnave Chapel, Rhinns of Islay, Inner Hebrides

Web Site: Virtual Hebrides

The Gazetteer for Scotland Wednesday, 9/15/04, 6:24 AM

The Gazeteer, which is the main feature of this site, is a vast encyclopaedia, featuring details of towns, villages, bens and glens from the Scottish Borders to the Northern Isles. The first comprehensive gazetteer produced for Scotland since 1885, it includes tourist attractions, industries and historic sites, together with histories of family names and biographies of famous people associated with Scotland. The network of connections between all of these entries make this gazetteer unique. With at least 11,574 detailed entries, the Gazetteer is already the largest Scottish resource available on the web, yet it is growing constantly, with some 217 entries added or updated in the last week alone. Please look at 'Gaz Stats' for more information. Enter the Gazetteer for Scotland using either: Maps and Places OR History Time-Line Alternatively, you can check out our FEATURED TOWN, FEATURED GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURE, FEATURED ATTRACTION, FEATURED FAMOUS SCOT or FEATURED FAMILY. Featured entries are changed at least once per week. An excellent way to find out something different about Scotland or a new place to visit next time you take a trip!

From: Edinburgh, Scotland

Web Site: University of Edinburgh

Battle of Dalrigh 1306 Wednesday, 9/15/04, 5:48 AM

This ambush battle occurred during the power struggle between the great families of Bruce and Comyn. ¿Robert the Bruce had support in the Western Isles with the MacDonalds of Islay. Before going there he met with his brother and the Queen at Aberdeen and moved west. At the Shrine of St Fillan of Glenochart Robert was blessed with the reliquary of St Fillan by Abbot Maurice of Inchaffray. This may have been done to negate the effect of the Pope's excommunication. While travelling through the lands of the MacDougall's of Lorn, who were Comyn supporters, Bruce was ambushed by the highland warriors. The ambush occurred at Dalrigh near Tyndrum in a narrow defile and although the losses were heavy Bruce's men drove off the attackers¿. The field is traversed by the A82 and the present Glasgow ¿ Oban railway line, about a mile northwest of Crianlarich junction station.

From: Auchreach, Strathfillan, Perthshire

Web Site: Scotland¿s Past

Scot Wars Friday, 11/1/02, 10:49 AM

excellent and visually attractive site

From: Scotland

Web Site: Scot Wars

Noble shields carried at the battle of Falkirk, 22 July 1298 Wednesday, 10/30/02, 10:23 AM

This is an occasional roll, listing those present at the battle of Falkirk, which was fought on 22 July 1298, when the forces of Edward I defeated a Scottish army under William Wallace. It is accepted that the roll was composed shortly afterwards. Some very nice - and useful- illustrations of the shields accompany their heraldic descriptions.

From: Falkirk

Web Site: The Falkirk Roll of Arms

War in the Orkney Islands in the Eleventh Century Wednesday, 10/30/02, 8:24 AM

Written around 1200 AD, the Orkneyinga Saga is the only major source of information for Orkney Islands in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. In the episode below, rule over the islands is shared by two earls: Rognvald Brusason and Thorfinn Sigurdarson, but the two have a falling out, leading to a naval battle in 1045 and more attacks in the following year

From: the Orkney Islands

Web Site: War in the Orkney Islands in the Eleventh Century

The history of Clan Maclean Thursday, 10/24/02, 10:21 AM

This story goes back to the romantic period of Scottish history when Robert The Bruce was King of Scots and was twisting the tail of the English King, Edward I. At the time (the late 1200s and early 1300s) the Maclean clan did not exist as a separate kindred nor was the name being used. However, in 1296 a certain Gilli Colium mac maoiliosa whose lineage is given as "son of Moal iose, son of Gille eoin (Gillean)" is identified as a vassal of Robert Bruce, Lord of Carrick, and the father of Robert The Bruce who became Robert I, King of Scots, in 1306. The family link to the Bruce family must have benefited the emergent kindred or clan now calling itself MacGille eoin (Maclean) as Neil Maclean was appointed Constable of the royal castle of Scraburgh (possibly Tarbet) in 1329, while his elder brother, Donald, appears to have been a commander of the Kings galleys and John (Iain Dubh) Maclean can be found at Sael (Seil) Castle in Lorn - another royal stronghold.

From: Mull

Web Site: The history of Clan Maclean

An Early History of Scotland. Thursday, 10/24/02, 10:14 AM

Incorporates also: A history of the languages of Scotland. A List of Clan Names with their meanings and historical background. A List of Place-names with their meanings and historical background.

From: Scotland.

Web Site: An Early History of Scotland.

Inverlochy castle: scene of two great victories of Clan Donald Friday, 10/11/02, 10:15 AM

the castle was built by the Comyns of Badenoch and for many centuries occupied a strategic position at the foot of the Great Glen, before being supplanted by Fort William. In 1431,Donald Balloch from Dunivaig castle, on behalf of the captive MacDonald Lord of the Isles led an army of only 800 highlanders, made up of MacLeans of Coll, MacDuffies of Colonsay, MacQuarries of Ulva and the MacKays of the Rhinns in rebellion against King James I of Scots (1406-1437). The King's man in the North, the Earl of Mar was stationed at Inverlochy castle,to entice '..the rest of MacDonald's vassals,...' to join the King's party, when the MacDonalds raided. Mar's force had 'pitched their tents near the castle of Inverlochy' and were warned of the approaching MacDonalds. However, Mackintosh who was busy playing cards with Mar dismissed this report saying 'he knew well the doings of the big bellied carles of the Isles.' The King's force were taken totally by surprise as the first wave of highlanders hit, royal forces were said to be over 900 slain, including the Earl of Atholl's son Alan, Earl of Caithness 'along with sixteen men at arms of his household retinue and many others.' Mar himself escaped half naked and on foot all the way to his home fortress of Kildrummy. Surprisingly, the MacDonald force didn't know they had obtained such a great victory and had withdrawn midway through the battle. Two centuries later, during the various wars between King Charles, his English Parliament and the Scots Covenanters, Clan Donald, under the Royalist military genius Montrose, marched boldly over the Nevis range to suddenly descend upon and again massacre the forces of authority, at this time the Campbells under the Earls of Argyll, the Covenanters' main representatives in the Highlands.

From: Loch Linnhe

Web Site: Inverlochy castle: scene of two great victories of Clan Donald

Castles of Scotland Friday, 10/11/02, 4:07 AM

not at all comprehensive unfortunately

Web Site: Castles of Scotland

J T Calder's History of Caithness online Friday, 10/11/02, 4:06 AM

Although there are many books covering aspects of Caithness history, few have the breadth and coverage of Calder's History of Caithness. The second Edition was published in 1887, the material gleaned from a variety of sources available at the time and put into a chronological order. It is one of the most comprehensive works on Caithness and will be available here in full online by the end of 2002. It includes for example details of the battle of Summerdale in the sixteenth century, fought in the middle of Orkney mainland between two branches of the Sinclairs of Caithness for possession of those islands.

From: North of Scotland

Web Site: History of Caithness online

Dunstaffnage castle Wednesday, 10/9/02, 7:42 AM

standing between Loch Etive and the sea, under the towering mass of Ben Cruachan, this still very imposing castle was the stronghold of Clan MacDougall when in the thirteenth century they held sway as Lords of Argyll and of the Isles as tenants of Haakon King of Norway. The castle was also the scene of an unsuccessful battle against James Douglas and Robert the Bruce, who outambushed the MacDougall ambushers by marching even higher up Ben Cruachan and then descending upon the ambush party!!

From: Argyll

Web Site: Dunstaffnage castle

James Douglas & the battle at the Pass of Brander 1308 or 1309 Monday, 10/7/02, 12:21 PM

From the day that a young James Douglas swore allegiance to Robert the Bruce, while on his way to his coronation at Scone, he remained The Bruces most loyal and constant companion. Douglas became an incredibly talented military commander and the scourge of his enemies. In the summer of 1308 or 1309 Robert the Bruce determined to bring Alexander McDougall of Lorne to heel. McDougall was still a firm supporter of Edward II of England and a thorn in the side of Bruce. Marching by way of Dalmally to Dunstaffnage where the McDougall's had their stronghold meant traversing the Pass of Brander. Here, where the waters of Loch Etive escape through a narrow defile to the sea, would to Bruce and Douglas both suggest the possibility of ambush. High on the North slopes of Ben Chruachan John Baccach, son of Alexander McDougall, lay in wait ready to hurl boulders down on Bruce's advancing forces before rushing down from the heights to deliver the coup de grace. Douglas anticipating this had led a body of archers, through the early hours of the morning, to a position above Baccach's forces. As Bruce led his main body into the pass, and took the first blows of the assault from above, Douglas with his archers fell upon the McDougalls from above. At the same time Bruce sent lightly armed troops up the slopes to place the enemy between two forces. At this the McDougalls fled down the pass harassed by the pursuing forces of Bruce and Douglas. Dunstaffnage castle was taken, but unlike many strongholds taken by Bruce it was not destroyed but put in charge of the Campbells who were loyal to Bruce and his cause.

From: Loch Etive, West Highlands

Web Site: James Douglas & the battle at the Pass of Brander 1308 or 1309

Map for the Scots wars of independence Monday, 10/7/02, 12:14 PM

shows the major districts, families and battlesites

Web Site: Map for the Scots wars of independence

Impressions of Scotland Monday, 10/7/02, 5:04 AM

details here of about 100 clans and 20 castles

Web Site: clans and castles of Scotland

Clan Donald Monday, 10/7/02, 4:57 AM

Clan DonaId was indisputably the largest and most renowned of all the Highland clans of Scotland controlling, at one time, virtually the whole western seaboard from the Butt of Lewis in the north to the MuIl of Kintyre in the south, almost a third of the Kingdom, with possessions in Northern Ireland as weIl. The Clan claims descent from Conn of the Hundred Battles, Ard-Righ or High-King of Ireland in the 1st century A.D., through Colla Uais, the first of the family to settle in what is now the Hebrides, and from whom the Clan took its earlier designation of "Clann Cholla" i. e. the Children of Coll, down to Sornerled, Lord of Argyll, in the 12th century who, after defeating the Norsemen, was proclaimed "Lord of the Isles".

From: The Hebrides & elsewhere

Web Site: Clan Donald

Scottish battles in Northumberland Wednesday, 10/2/02, 7:30 AM

From: Northumberland

Web Site: Scottish battles in Northumberland

The Border Reivers Wednesday, 10/2/02, 7:27 AM

The Border Reivers was written to give you a general feeling of how life on the English Border was lived. I do not get into the politics as much as I could have. Politics of the period were convoluted and confusing and I touch only on what is necessary to tell the story. The time line does not begin with a certain date and end at the beginning of the 17th century. The story shifts back and forth and hopefully you will not be confused. As they are written I will give you a short form of some of the battles which inspired ballads of the time. With all of these self-serving disclaimers, I give you The Border Reivers with the hope that you will be able to absorb the flavor of life on the Border.

From: the Borders

Web Site: The Border Reivers

Conflicts of the Clans Wednesday, 10/2/02, 7:23 AM

This site displays a rare little book, issued from the Foulis press in 1764, entitled: "The History of the Feuds and Conflicts Among the Clans in the Northern Parts of Scotland and in the Western Isles: from the year M.XX1 unto M.B.C.XIX, now first published from a manuscript wrote in the reign of King James VI."

From: the Highlands

Web Site: Conflicts of the Clans

Scots, Picts and Strathclyde Britons Wednesday, 10/2/02, 7:17 AM

From: Scotland

Web Site: Scots, Picts and Strathclyde Britons

Scots military history links Wednesday, 10/2/02, 7:00 AM

Royal Stewarts http://www.royal-stuarts.org/timeline.htm timeline of Scots history, including battles The Bishops Wars, Wars of the Three Kingdoms (1639- 1646), and other Wars of the Covenant. http://www.tartans.com/articles/cov15b.html The Presbyterian ¿Covenanters¿ caused a good deal of military activity in Scotland for the best part of the seventeenth century. The first Bishop's War began in March 1639 and lasted for about five weeks during which there was skirmishing in Invernesshire. Covenanters under the command of the Marquis of Montrose and General Leslie took the city of Aberdeen marching under flags bearing the legend "For Religion, the Covenant and the Country". Later Montrose changed sides and fought for the King against them and against his arch-enemies the Campbells, slaughtering 1000 of them at his famous victory of Inverlochy. Later still the Covenanters supported the King, and thereafter fought against him yet again. The gathering of the Clans http://www.tartans.com/cgi-bin/clans.cgi this site has a good deal of historical material on individual clans, plus descriptions of some battles. Interesting to note that the clansmen marched as far south as Worcester in 1651, in support of King Charles II, but lost heavily there to Cromwell.

From: Scotland!!

Web Site: Scots military history links

the battles of Clan Cameron Wednesday, 10/2/02, 6:36 AM

The Camerons were a warlike tribe inhabiting Loch Eil and other districts around Fort William.

Web Site: the battles of Clan Cameron

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