Battle of Alltan-Beath facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Alltan-Beath
Part of the Scottish clan wars
Foulis Castle where Donald Mackay was imprisoned after the Battle of Alltan-Beath
Date 1542 Location Knockartel, Scotland Result Clan Sutherland victory
Belligerents
Clan Sutherland (Supporters of John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland)	Clan Mackay
Commanders and leaders
Hutcheon Murray of Aberscross Gilbert Gordon of Garty	Donald Mackay, 11th of Strathnaver
Strength
Unknown	"A company of men"
Casualties and losses
William Sutherland (KIA)	John MacIan-MacAngus (KIA)

The Battle of Alltan-Beath was a fight between two powerful Scottish families, the Clan Mackay and the Clan Sutherland. It happened in 1542 in a place called Knockartel in Sutherland, Scottish Highlands. This battle was part of a long-standing rivalry between these clans.

Why the Battle Happened

Trouble Starts in Sutherland

In 1542, the peace between the Mackays and Sutherlands ended. The leader of the Mackays, Donald Mackay, 11th of Strathnaver, led his men into Sutherland. They attacked the village of Knockartel, burning it down. They also stole goods from the Strathbrora area.

The stolen goods were quickly taken back by the Sutherlands. But Donald Mackay didn't stop there. He invaded Sutherland again, marching his men to Skibo Castle. His men even took over Skibo Castle for a short time. These actions made the Sutherlands very angry and led to the battle.

The Battle of Alltan-Beath

Clans Clash at Ailtan-Beath

When Donald Mackay invaded Sutherland, the local leaders decided to fight back. These leaders were Hutcheon Murray of Abirscors and Gilbert Gordon of Garty. They gathered their men from Clan Sutherland.

They found Donald Mackay and his men near a place called Ailtan-Beath. The Sutherland forces surprised the Mackays, attacking them suddenly. After a short fight, the Mackay men from Strathnaver ran away. The goods they had stolen were taken back by the Sutherlands.

Key Fighters and Losses

During the battle, a leader from the Mackay side, John MacIan-MacAngus, was killed. Several other Mackay men also died. Even though his men fled, Donald Mackay fought bravely. As he was escaping, he killed a Sutherland man named William Sutherland, who was chasing him.

After the battle, Donald Mackay was captured. He was then imprisoned in Foulis Castle in Ross. He stayed there for a long time. The fighting between the clans continued while the Earl of Sutherland was still young.

After the Battle

Donald Mackay's Imprisonment

After the battle, Donald Mackay was brought before the Earl of Huntly and the Earl of Sutherland. He had to answer for his actions. They pardoned him for what he had done. However, they ordered him to be imprisoned in Foulis Castle.

Mackay's Escape from Foulis Castle

Donald Mackay did not stay imprisoned for long. He managed to escape from Foulis Castle. He was helped by another man from Strathnaver named Donald MacK-ean-voyr. This man advised Mackay on how to get away.

Some historians believe that the owner of Foulis Castle, Baron Robert Munro of Fowlis, might have known about the escape plan. This is because the Mackays and Munros were often good friends for many years.

Images for kids

• 

  Foulis Castle where Donald Mackay was imprisoned after the Battle of Alltan-Beath