Battle of Champions facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Champions
Part of the Scottish clan wars
Looking east to Girnigoe, St Tears is up on the right
Date 1478 or 1464 Location St Tears Chapel, north of Wick Airport, Caithness grid reference ND367545 Result Keith victory
Belligerents
Clan Keith	Clan Gunn
Commanders and leaders
Keith of Ackergill	George Gunn  †
Strength
24	12
Casualties and losses
>12	12  †

The Battle of Champions was a special fight between two powerful Scottish families, called Scottish clans. It happened in 1478 or 1464. The two clans involved were Clan Gunn and Clan Keith.

This battle took place near a chapel called St Tears. This spot is on the coast north of Wick in Caithness, Scotland. It was meant to solve a big disagreement between the clans. They agreed that twelve men from each side would fight on horseback. But the Keiths played a trick. They brought two men on each of their twelve horses. This meant they had twice as many fighters. The Keiths then defeated all twelve Gunn fighters. The two clans finally made peace with a special agreement in 1978. This ended their long-standing disagreement after 500 years.

Why Did the Clans Fight?

The fight between Clan Gunn and Clan Keith started a long time ago. Records show that the trouble began when Dugald, a leader of the Keiths, took Helen of Braemore. Helen was the daughter of Lachlan Gunn. She was supposed to marry Alexander Gunn. The Keiths attacked the night before the wedding. Alexander Gunn was one of the people killed by the Keiths during this attack.

After this event, the two clans fought many times. These battles often ended without a clear winner. Both sides lost many people. To try and stop the fighting, they decided to have a "battle of champions." This was meant to be a fair fight. Twelve men from each clan would ride horses and battle. But, as mentioned, the Keiths brought two men on each horse. This gave them a big advantage.

Ending the Clan Feud

By the 1970s, many members of both clans lived in North America. They had become friends. The old disagreement between the clans was no longer a big problem. Clan members wanted to officially end the feud.

So, on July 28, 1978, the leaders of both clans met. Sir James Ian Keith, the Earl of Kintore, was the Chief of Clan Keith. Ian Alexander Gunn of Banniskirk was the Commander of Clan Gunn. They signed a special agreement called a "Bond and Covenant of Friendship." This happened at the site of St. Tears. It was exactly 500 years after the Battle of Champions. Since then, members of both clans have celebrated this agreement. They often meet at events like Highland games.