Battle of Garbharry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Garbharry
Part of the Scottish clan wars
Approximate location of the battle, looking south, taken from the peak of Morven (Anglicised from 'A' Mhòr Bheinn', also referred to as ''Bheinn Mòr" by Robert Gordon. It essentially just means 'The Big Hill'). 'Garvery' is an Anglicisation of 'Garbharry', the name of the hill and burn(s) just to the south of Morven.
Date 1555 Location Foot of the mountain Beinn-mhor, in Berriedale, Scotland Result Sutherland victory
Belligerents
Clan Sutherland	Clan Mackay
Commanders and leaders
MacJames James MacWilliam	John More Mackay
Casualties and losses
	120 killed

The Battle of Garbharry was a big fight between two powerful Scottish families, the Clan Mackay and the Clan Sutherland. It happened in the year 1555. This battle was very important because it was the last major fight between these two clans. It took place near a place called Garbharry, close to a big hill known as Beinn-mhor, in Berriedale, Scotland. Some soldiers even drowned in the nearby Garbharry water.

Why the Battle Happened

In 1555, John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland was given a special job by the Queen Regent, Mary of Guise. A Queen Regent is someone who rules for the Queen when she is too young or away. The Earl of Sutherland was asked to punish Iye MacKay. Iye MacKay was the chief, or leader, of the Clan Mackay. He had not shown up when the Queen Regent asked him to come to Inverness.

The Earl of Sutherland went to the north coast and destroyed Borve Castle. This castle was a main stronghold for the Clan Mackay. They used it to launch attacks on the Clan Sutherland. The Earl of Sutherland then met Iye Mackay in Strathbrora. He forced Iye Mackay to give himself up and go to prison in Edinburgh.

After Iye Mackay was imprisoned, his first cousin, John-More Mackay, took charge. John-More Mackay led an attack towards Helmsdale in Sutherland. His men burned down the chapel of St. Ninian's at Navidale, which was just north of Helmsdale. After this attack, they started to pull back.

The Clan Sutherland quickly gathered their own fighting force. This group was led by MacJames, the Terell of the Doil, and James MacWilliam. They set off to chase the Clan Mackay. They caught up with the Mackays in Berriedale, near Garbharry. This is where the battle began.

The Battle Itself

The fight happened at the foot of the hill called Beinn-mhor, in Berriedale. The Sutherlands attacked the Mackay men from Strathnaver right beside the water of Garbharry.

The battle was very fierce and both sides fought with great determination. However, the Clan Sutherland eventually won. The Mackay men from Strathnaver were defeated and chased away. About 120 of them were killed in the battle. Some even drowned in the Garbharry water during the chase.

What Happened After

The Battle of Garbharry is known as the last major battle fought between the Clan Mackay and the Clan Sutherland. This seems to be true for the main leaders of the clans.

However, about 35 years later, a half-brother of the Mackay chief did fight against the Earl of Sutherland. This happened at the Battle of Clynetradwell. But the Battle of Garbharry was the last big clash between the two main clan forces.