Battle of Coire Na Creiche facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Coire na Creiche |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of The Wars of the One-Eyed Woman | |||||||
 Sgurr nan Gillean (left), Am Basteir and Bruach na Frithe (right), Coire na Creiche is round the corner to the right |
|||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Clan MacDonald of Sleat | Clan MacLeod | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Donald MacDonald | Alasdair MacLeod | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
The Battle of Coire na Creiche was a big fight between two powerful Scottish clans in 1601. It happened on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. This battle was the final part of a long argument, or feud, between the Clan MacLeod of Dunvegan and the Clan MacDonald of Sleat. The MacDonalds won the battle, which took place in a mountain area called Coire na Creiche in the Cuillin hills. This was the very last clan battle ever fought on Skye.
Contents
Why the Clans Fought
The MacLeod and MacDonald clans had been rivals for a very long time. They often had disagreements and fought. Rory Mòr MacLeod, the chief of the MacLeods, tried to make peace. He offered his sister, Margaret MacLeod, to marry Donald Gorm Mòr MacDonald, the MacDonald chief.
Their marriage was part of a special old agreement called a handfast. This meant they would live together for about a year and a day. If Margaret had a son during that time, they would officially marry. If not, they could both go back to their own families.
After a year, Margaret MacLeod had not had any children. Also, she had lost sight in one eye. Donald MacDonald decided to send her back to her brother. He did this in a very insulting way. He tied her facing backwards on a one-eyed horse. A one-eyed servant led the horse, and a one-eyed dog followed behind.
Rory MacLeod was furious about this insult to his sister and his clan. He immediately declared war on the MacDonalds again. He attacked and damaged the Trotternish area in northern Skye, which belonged to the MacDonalds. In return, Donald MacDonald attacked MacLeod lands in Harris. These fights became known as the Wars of the One-Eyed Woman.
The Fight at Carinish
Rory MacLeod then sent 40 of his men to North Uist. They were led by his cousin, Donald Glas MacLeod. Their job was to take goods that local people had hidden for safety in a church called Trinity Temple at Carinish.
While the MacLeod raiders were eating breakfast in the church, they were surprised. Twelve MacDonalds, led by Donald MacIain 'ic Sheumais, attacked them. The MacDonalds led the MacLeods into a trap. Only two MacLeods survived the Battle of Carinish; Donald MacLeod was one of those who died.
On his way back to Skye, Donald MacIain 'ic Sheumais and his men had to stop because of a storm. They found shelter at Rodel in Harris. Rory MacLeod, the MacLeod chief, even entertained them there, even after he found out who they were. But the MacDonalds were smart. They secretly left during the night. Before dawn, some MacLeod clansmen, without their chief's knowledge, set fire to the place where the MacDonalds had been staying.
The Final Battle at Coire na Creiche
The fighting between the clans kept getting worse. It caused a lot of trouble and suffering for the people living there. Donald MacDonald decided it was time to end the feud with one big, final battle.
When Rory MacLeod went to get help from a powerful lord, Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll, MacDonald saw his chance. He launched a full attack on northern Skye. The MacDonalds took many cattle during this attack. They drove the cattle south to a place often used by raiders, called Coire na Creiche. This spot was high up, overlooking Glen Brittle.
Here, the MacLeod forces, led by Rory's brother Alasdair, finally caught up with the MacDonalds. The battle started late in the day and continued through the night. The MacLeods were completely defeated. Alasdair MacLeod and 30 of his relatives were captured.
What Happened Next
After this big battle, the Scottish government, known as the Privy Council, stepped in to stop the fighting. Donald MacDonald was ordered to give himself up to George Gordon, 1st Marquess of Huntly. Rory MacLeod was told to give himself up to the Earl of Argyll.
Donald MacDonald agreed to let his prisoners go. To celebrate the end of the long feud, there were three weeks of feasting and parties at Dunvegan Castle. Except for a small disagreement in 1603, the violence between the two clans finally ended.
