Battle of Drumlui facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Drumlui
Part of Clan Cameron-Clan Mackintosh feud
Druim Gleann Laoigh, probable site of the battle
Date 1330 or 1337 Location Lochaber area, probably Druim Gleann Laoigh grid reference NN0685 ?? Result Mackintosh victory
Belligerents
Clan Mackintosh	Clan Cameron
Commanders and leaders
William MacKintosh	Donald Alin Mhic Evin
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The Battle of Drumlui was an important fight between two Scottish clans, the Clan Cameron and the Clan Mackintosh. It happened a long time ago, either in 1330 or 1337. This battle took place in the Scottish Highlands, likely in an area called Druim Gleann Laoigh. It was a key event in a long-running disagreement between these two powerful families.

Why Did the Battle of Drumlui Happen?

The story of the battle starts with William Mackintosh. He was the 7th chief of Clan Mackintosh and also led a group of clans known as Clan Chattan. William's parents had moved away from their lands in Lochaber. After they left, the Clan Cameron moved in and started living on those lands without any trouble for a while.

However, when William grew up, he wanted his family's lands back. He asked the Camerons to return them. But the Camerons refused. They said that the lands had been empty, and since they were the first to take them over, the lands now belonged to them. This disagreement over land led to the battle.

What Happened During the Battle?

Old records, like a special book called the Kinrara MS (which means manuscript, or handwritten document) from the Mackintosh family, tell us about a big battle at Drumlui. In this fight, William Mackintosh led his clan against the Camerons.

The Camerons were led by a chief named Donald Alin Vic Ian, also known as Donald Alin Mhic Evin. The Mackintosh clan won the battle. However, the victory came at a cost. Many brave men from both the Mackintosh clan and the Clan Shaw (who were allies of the Mackintosh) were badly hurt or died in the fighting.

What Happened After the Battle?

The Battle of Drumlui did not end the fighting between the clans. Instead, it started a very long and bitter disagreement, known as a feud. This feud lasted for about 350 years! It only finally ended near the end of the 1600s.

Right after the Battle of Drumlui, both clans kept attacking each other's lands. They would often steal cattle and cause trouble. This back-and-forth fighting continued for many years until another famous battle happened in 1370, called the Battle of Invernahavon.