Battle of Dingwall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Dingwall
Part of the Scottish clan wars
Modern day Dingwall looking out towards the Cromarty Firth
Date 1411 Location Dingwall, Scotland Result Rebel (MacDonald) victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Scotland (Clan Mackay and allies)	Lordship of the Isles (Clan Donald and allies)
Commanders and leaders
Mackay of Strathnaver	Donald of Islay
Strength
4,000 men	10,000 men
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The Battle of Dingwall was a fight between powerful Scottish clans. It happened around the year 1411 in Dingwall, a town in the Scottish Highlands. This battle was fought between the Clan Mackay and the Clan Donald.

What Happened at the Battle of Dingwall?

This battle was a clash between two important Scottish clans. It involved Angus Du Mackay, the chief of Clan Mackay. He fought against Donald of Islay, the leader of the Clan Donald.

Early Accounts of the Fight

Historians have written about the Battle of Dingwall. One of the earliest accounts comes from Sir Robert Gordon. He wrote about it in his book around 1630.

Sir Robert Gordon said that Donald, Lord of the Isles, caused trouble for Angus Du Mackay's friends. This led to the battle in Dingwall. In the fight, Angus Du Mackay was defeated. He was also taken prisoner by Donald. Angus Du Mackay's brother, Rory-Gald, was killed.

After holding Angus Du Mackay captive for a while, Donald released him. Donald also gave his daughter to Angus Du Mackay in marriage. Angus Du Mackay took her home to Strathnaver. They later had a son named Niel-Wass.

Later Historical Records

Another historian, Robert Mackay, wrote about the battle in 1829. He also used information from Sir Robert Gordon's book.

Robert Mackay explained that Donald of the Isles was angry about losing his earldom (a type of land ownership). Because of this, he gathered his forces from the Isles. He then attacked the area of Ross. There, he met Angus Du Mackay.

Angus Du Mackay's forces were outnumbered. He was defeated, and his brother was killed. Angus Du Mackay himself was captured. After this victory, Donald marched through Inverness and Murray. He threatened to destroy everything in his path. This led to another famous battle called the Battle of Harlaw in 1411.

What Happened After the Battle?

After the Battle of Dingwall, and the later Battle of Harlaw, there was a marriage. According to Sir Robert Gordon, Angus Du Mackay married a daughter of Donald MacDonald. Donald MacDonald was the Lord of the Isles.

However, another historian, Angus Mackay, had a different idea. He believed that Angus Du Mackay married Donald's sister, not his daughter.

Other Clans Involved

Some historians suggest that other clans joined the fight. Alister Farquar Matheson said that Angus Mackay led a group of Mackays, Munros, Mackenzies, and Dingwalls. They fought against Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles.

There is a large stone near Dingwall called The Eagle Stone. Norman Macrae believed the Munros placed it there. They supposedly did this while marching against Donald of Islay in 1411. However, some historians say there is no clear proof that the Munros fought with Angus Mackay at Dingwall. In fact, some Munros might have even fought with the Lord of the Isles at the Battle of Harlaw.