Battle of Glendale (Skye) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Glendale
The head of Loch Pooltiel, where the chief of the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan landed on the Isle of Skye and joined forces with the MacLeods of Lewis.
Date traditionally c. 1490; though more likely after 1513 Location Glendale, Skye Result MacLeod victory
Belligerents
Clan MacDonald of Sleat Clan Ranald	Clan MacLeod Clan MacLeod of Lewis
Commanders and leaders
Donald MacDonald Allan MacDonald of Moidart	Alasdair MacLeod Donald MacLeod of Meidle
Casualties and losses
High	High

The Battle of Glendale was a fierce fight between two powerful Scottish clans. It happened on the Isle of Skye, a beautiful island in the Inner Hebrideans. The battle was between the MacDonalds of Sleat and the MacDonalds of Clanranald on one side, and the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan and the MacLeods of Lewis on the other.

According to old MacLeod stories, the battle took place around 1490. However, some historians now think it might have happened later, after 1513. The MacLeods remembered this battle as one of their toughest. Even though they won, they lost so many people that it took a long time for their clan to recover. A special item, the MacLeod's magical Fairy Flag, is said to have played a big part in their victory.

What Caused the Battle?

Old MacLeod stories say that a group of MacDonalds, led by Donald Gruamach MacDonald, landed on Skye at Loch Eynort. This was around the year 1490. The MacDonalds then attacked and destroyed lands belonging to the MacLeods, reaching almost to the gates of Dunvegan Castle.

At this time, the MacLeod chief, Alasdair Crotach MacLeod, was on Harris. When he heard about the MacDonalds attacking his lands, he quickly rushed back to Skye. He landed at Glendale, where his relatives, the MacLeods of Lewis, joined him. They gathered their forces on a hill, with a river in front of them. This made it hard for the MacDonalds to attack them easily.

This claymore (a large Scottish sword) is thought to have belonged to a MacLeod chief. It might have been used in battles like Glendale.

The Battle Begins

The combined MacLeod forces waited for ten days for more fighters to arrive. Finally, Donald Mor of Meidle came with a large group of warriors. The battle then started. At first, the MacDonalds seemed to be winning. Donald Mor was killed, and hundreds of MacLeods fell. The MacLeods were almost ready to give up.

But then, Alasdair Crotach's mother ordered the famous Fairy Flag to be unfurled. This flag was believed to have magical powers. Once the flag was opened, the MacLeods fought with new energy and fury. Both sides suffered huge losses.

At one point, a group of MacDonalds, led by Allan MacDonald of Moidart (the chief of the MacDonalds of Clanranald), managed to cut off the MacLeod chief and those protecting the Fairy Flag from the rest of their clan. However, at that exact moment, a MacLeod warrior named Murdo MacCaskill killed Donald Gruamach MacDonald. Murdo then put Donald's head on a spear and told the MacLeod pipers to play the MacDonald lament (a sad song).

When the MacDonalds heard this mournful music and saw their leader's head, they lost heart and ran away. Even the Clanranald chief couldn't get them to rally and fight again.

What Happened After the Battle?

According to the old stories, the battle was so bloody that ravens on a nearby rock called Creggan nan Fitheach ("the Rocks of the Ravens") drank the blood and ate the flesh of the MacDonalds who lay dead on the ground. Allan of Moidart is said to have fought Murdo MacCaskill and his three brothers in a single combat, killing them all, before retreating with the rest of the MacDonalds to their ships at Loch Eynort.

The old clan storytellers said that the Battle of Glendale was "the most tremendous battle in which the MacLeods were ever engaged." They won, but it cost them dearly. Their chief, Alasdair Crotach, was badly hurt, and many important clan leaders and most of their men were killed. The MacLeods never fully recovered from these heavy losses. Paul Dubh, the warrior who carried the Fairy Flag during the battle, was also killed.

Important MacLeod treasures: the Fairy Flag, Dunvegan Cup, and Sir Rory Mor's Horn.

See also

• Fairy Flag, a special MacLeod family treasure believed to have amazing powers, which was present at this battle.