Alasdair Mac Colla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir
Alasdair Mac Colla Chiotaich MacDhòmhnaill
|
|
|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Alexander MacDonald |
| Nickname(s) | Fear thollaidh nan tighean ("The destroyer of houses") |
| Born | c. 1610 Colonsay, Hebrides, Scotland |
| Died | 1647 (aged 36–37) Battle of Knocknanuss, County Cork, Ireland |
| Buried |
Clonmeen, County Cork, Ireland
|
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Ireland (1641-1642) Irish Confederation (1642-1647) Scottish Crown (1644-1646) |
| Years of service | 1641-1647 |
| Rank | Major general |
| Battles/wars | Wars of the Three Kingdoms |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth MacAlister |
| Relations | Coll Ciotach (father) |
Alasdair Mac Colla Chiotaich MacDhòmhnaill (around 1610 – November 13, 1647) was a famous military leader. He is also known by his English name, Sir Alexander MacDonald. Alasdair was a key figure in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. These were a series of conflicts across Scotland, Ireland, and England. He fought especially in the Irish Confederate Wars and with Montrose's Royalist army in Scotland.
Alasdair was part of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg, a powerful Gaelic family. They lived in the Hebrides islands and in Ireland. Many stories and legends about his life are still told in the Scottish Highlands. He was given a knighthood during Montrose's successful campaign in 1644–1645. Alasdair died in 1647 in Ireland at the Battle of Knocknanuss.
Contents
Understanding His Name
His full name, Alasdair Mac Colla Chiotaich MacDhòmhnaill, comes from Scottish Gaelic. It means 'Alexander, son of Coll the Left-Handed MacDonald'. Gaelic speakers often used the shorter form, Alasdair MacColla. English speakers usually called him Alexander MacDonald or MacColl.
Alasdair himself signed documents in English as "Allexander Macdonell". Older English writers sometimes called him "Collkitto". This was a mistake, as "Coll Ciotach" was actually his father's nickname. Ciotach means "left-handed" in Gaelic. It can also mean "devious" or "clever".
His Life Story
Early Years and Family Background
Alasdair Mac Colla was born on the island of Colonsay in Scotland. This was in the early 1600s. His early life was connected to both Gaelic Ireland and the Gaelic western Highlands.
His father, Coll, was the Laird (landowner) of Colonsay. Their family, the MacDonalds of Dunnyveg, had lands in both the Scottish islands and County Antrim, Ireland. Alasdair's family had lost some of their power over time. This was partly because the Scottish king took control of the Lordship of the Isles. Also, a rival family, Clan Campbell, grew stronger.
Alasdair's career was largely about fighting the Campbells. He wanted to get back lands like Islay that the MacDonalds had lost. Many MacDonalds, including Alasdair's family, were Roman Catholic. This was different from most of Scotland, which was Presbyterian at the time.
Joining the Wars of the Three Kingdoms
Alasdair Mac Colla's military career began with the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. These were big conflicts that linked Scotland, Ireland, and England. Many MacDonalds supported the Royalists (King's side) and Confederate Ireland. Their main rivals, the Campbells, supported the Scottish government, which was controlled by the Covenanters.
When the Irish Rebellion of 1641 started, Alasdair was in Ulster, Ireland. His relative, the 1st Marquess of Antrim, had large estates there. Antrim hired Alasdair as an officer. Alasdair and other Catholic officers later joined the rebel forces. They left Antrim's side in January 1642. Alasdair was wounded in June 1642 at Glenmaquin. He later rejoined the Irish Confederates.
In late 1643, Alasdair returned to the Hebrides. He led a force against the Scottish government. This government was allied with the English Parliament. Alasdair's rebels were pushed back to Ireland.
Campaigns in Scotland (1644-1645)
In 1644, Alasdair Mac Colla was chosen to lead an expedition to Scotland. He was to help the Royalist forces there. He brought about 1600 Irish soldiers. Many of these soldiers were experienced fighters. They had served in the Spanish army in Europe. Alasdair also had three companies of Scottish Highlanders as his personal guards. His men wore a twist of oats on their hats as a special badge.
Alasdair's force landed in Scotland in July 1644. They attacked Mingarry Castle and raided Campbell lands. By August, Alasdair joined forces with the King's commander, James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. This alliance helped Alasdair gain respect among the Highlanders. He also gathered another 1500 soldiers from his Clan Donald relatives.
Together, Alasdair and Montrose won many impressive victories. They often defeated larger but less experienced Covenanter armies. Most of the Covenanters' best troops were fighting in England. Alasdair and Montrose won battles at Tippermuir, Aberdeen, Inverlochy, Auldearn, Alford, and Kilsyth. Some historians now believe Alasdair deserves a lot of credit for these wins.
After the Battle of Kilsyth, King Charles made Alasdair a knight. He was also promoted to Major-General. During the campaign, Alasdair's men often took supplies from Campbell lands. They burned houses and took livestock. This earned Alasdair the nickname fear thollaidh nan tighean, meaning "the destroyer of houses."
In the Highlands (1645-1647)
Alasdair and Montrose eventually went their separate ways. Alasdair wanted to focus on getting back MacDonald lands from the Campbells. Montrose wanted to secure the Scottish Lowlands for the King. Both were later defeated by the Covenanters.
Alasdair continued fighting in the western Highlands with his remaining Irish and clan soldiers. He won another victory against the Campbells at Lagganmore. His campaign ended with sieges of castles in Kintyre. Alasdair was finally defeated at the Battle of Rhunahaorine Moss in May 1647. He escaped to the Isle of Gigha and then to Islay. He left small groups of Highlanders at Dunaverty and Dunyvaig (where his father, Coll, was). Alasdair then returned to Antrim with most of his men. His brother, Archibald, was killed in August 1646.
Military Tactics and Reputation
Alasdair Mac Colla is sometimes credited with improving the "Highland charge" tactic. In this attack, his men would run at enemy soldiers. They would fire their muskets at close range. Then, they would drop their firearms and quickly attack hand-to-hand. This tactic was very successful because muskets were slow to reload. It also worked well against less disciplined enemy troops.
Some historians suggest Alasdair brought this tactic from Ireland. He may have added the musket volley (a coordinated firing of guns). This would create a lot of smoke, hiding his men as they advanced. While many of his troops were experienced soldiers with pikes and muskets, the charge became a famous "Highland" fighting style.
Not everyone was impressed with Alasdair's skills. One Scottish soldier, Sir James Turner, said Alasdair was "no soldier, though stout enough." He also claimed Alasdair drank too much.
Defeat and Death
Alasdair's father, Coll Ciotach, was captured again and killed. This was in revenge for Alasdair's actions against the Campbells. Alasdair himself rejoined the Irish Confederates. He was made governor of Clonmel and successfully defended the town.
However, many of Alasdair's men were killed in later Confederate defeats. This included the Battle of Dungan's Hill and the Battle of Cnoc na nOs (Knocknanuss). At Knocknanuss, Alasdair led the right side of the army. His charge was very successful, pushing back the enemy and taking their artillery. But the rest of his army was defeated without him knowing. Alasdair's men were then surrounded by enemy cavalry. Most of his soldiers were killed.
According to several accounts, Alasdair surrendered after being promised safety. However, a Major Nicholas Purdon broke this promise and shot Alasdair. Many people in Ireland and Scotland mourned his death. Songs were written praising his bravery. He was buried in the ruined church of Clonmeen, County Cork, Ireland. His famous long sword, known for its unusual size, has since disappeared.
Family Life
Alasdair married Elizabeth MacAlister. They had three sons:
- Coll, who died in 1719.
- Gill'Easbuig Mór, who died in 1720.
- A third son about whom little is known.
After Alasdair's death, his family settled in County Antrim, Ireland. Many generations later, his descendant Dr. James McDonnell (1763-1845) helped found the Medical School at Queens University. He also started a hospital that became the Royal Victoria Hospital. Another descendant is the politician Alasdair McDonnell.
Remembering Alasdair Mac Colla
After his death, Alasdair Mac Colla became a legendary figure. Songs and stories about him spread throughout Gaelic Ireland and Scotland. These tales often described him as a very strong man, over 7 feet tall, and a great swordsman. These stories are more like heroic legends than exact historical records.
Even descriptions from his own time said he was over 6 feet tall. One account mentioned his shield was "as big as a door."
Alasdair Mac Colla appears in And No Quarter, a 1937 novel by Irish author Maurice Walsh. The book tells the story of the 1644–1645 Royalist campaign in Scotland.
He is also remembered in Scottish Gaelic poetry. Poets like Iain Lom praised Alasdair's victories. They saw his actions as a Gaelic effort against the Clan Campbell.
In Ireland, a traditional music piece called "Marsial Alasdair" (Alasdair's March) is linked to him. It is said to be the tune played by his pipers on the way to battle or to his grave. Another tune, "Bas Alasdair" (Death of Alasdair), is a sad harp song. These tunes are still performed today.
Alasdair Mac Colla (Song)
Another song that praises Alasdair is a Scottish Gaelic waulking song called "Alasdair Mhic Colla Ghasda" ("Alasdair, Son Of Gallant Coll"). This song might have come from an old battle poem. It has been recorded by many artists, including:
- Capercaillie (1988) - The Blood Is Strong
- Clannad (1996) - Lore
- Moya Brennan (2005, 2008) - Óró – A Live Session, Heart Strings
- Anne Lorne Gillies (2007) - O Mo Dhùthaich / Oh My Land
- Éamonn Doorley, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Julie Fowlis and Ross Martin (2008) - Dual
Gol na mBan san Ár (Song)
"Gol na mBan san Ár" ("Lament of the Women in the Massacre") is a song composed in memory of Alasdair Mac Colla and his female followers. It has been recorded under different names by:
- The Chieftains (1980) - Boil the Breakfast Early
- Noel Hill, Tony MacMahon and Iarla Ó Lionáird (1993) - Aislingí Ceoil (Music Of Dreams)
- Éamonn Doorley, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Julie Fowlis and Ross Martin (2008) - Dual
Images for kids
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Randal Macdonnell, 1st Marquess of Antrim. Antrim was a relative of the MacDonalds. Alasdair Mac Colla often fought for Antrim's interests.
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The Marquess of Montrose, who fought alongside Alasdair Mac Colla against the Scottish Parliament.
