Battle of Clachnaharry

Battle of Clachnaharry
Part of the Scottish clan wars
The Clachnaharry battle monument
Date 1454 (some sources say earlier) Location Inverness, Scotland grid reference NH6454946448 Coordinates: 57°29′18″N 4°15′35″W / 57.48833°N 4.25972°W / 57.48833; -4.25972 Result Munro victory
Belligerents
Clan Munro	Clan Mackintosh (Chattan Confederation)
Commanders and leaders
John Munro, 1st of Milntown	Mackintosh of Mackintosh
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	200 killed

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 (Chattan Confederation) on the south bank of the Beauly Firth at Clachnaharry, on the outskirts of Inverness.

The Clan Munro were returning home after a cattle raid in Perthshire. On their return, an amount of 'road collop' or passage money was demanded by the Clan Mackintosh, as was the custom in the Scottish Highlands. There was a dispute over the amount and a battle took place.

The earliest account was written by Sir Robert Gordon (1580–1656) between 1615 and 1630. Gordon's account states that the Mackintosh chief was killed. The Mackintosh's own account, which was written later in 1679 states that the grandson of the chief of Mackintoshes, Malcolm Og Mackintosh, was not present and was not killed at Clachnaharry. Later accounts appear to have been based on Gordon's original account.

Sir Robert Gordon's account states that John Munro Tutor of Foulis was travelling home from the south of Scotland towards Ross. He fell at variance with some of the inhabitants of Strathdale between Saint Johnstone and Atholl who abused him. When Munro returned home he gathered all of his followers. He then singled out three hundred and fifty of the best and ablest men and went back to Strathardle to which he laid waste, spoiled, killed some of the people and carried away their cattle. On his return home he passed by the Isle of Moy and Mackintosh (chief of Clan Chattan) sent to him craving some of the spoils as was the custom. Gordon states that John Munro offered a reasonable portion, which Mackintosh through evil counsel refused to accept and would have no less than half of the whole booty. John Munro would not hearken or yield and continued on his journey home. Mackintosh then gathered all of his forces and followed John Munro who he overtook at Clachnaharry, beside Inverness, hard by the ferry of Kessock. Gordon states that Munro perceiving Mackintosh sent fifty of his men home to Ferindonald with the spoil and encouraged the rest to fight. There ensued a cruel conflict where Mackintosh was killed along with most of his company. Divers of the Munros were also killed and John Munro was left for dead on the field. Munro was taken by Lord Lovat to his house where he was cured of his wounds and was from then on known as John Baclamhach because his hand was mutilated. From this John Munro the Munro of Milntown family are descended.

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