Battle of Leckmelm facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Leckmelm
Part of the Scottish clan wars
Leckmelm
Date 1586 Location Leckmelm, Scottish Highlands, Scotland 57°52′08″N 5°05′38″W / 57.869°N 5.0939°W / 57.869; -5.0939 Result Mackay, Sutherland & MacLeod victory
Belligerents
Clan Gunn	Clan Aberach Clan Sutherland Clan MacLeod of Lewis
Commanders and leaders
George Gunn	Niel Mackay William Sutherland James MacLeod
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
32 killed	Unknown

The Battle of Leckmelm was a fight between different Scottish clans. It happened in 1586 in the Scottish Highlands. This battle saw the Clan Gunn go up against a team of clans. These included the Clan Sutherland, the Mackays of Aberach, and the MacLeods of Assynt.

Why the Battle Happened

The Battle of Leckmelm took place not long after another fight. This earlier battle was called the Battle of Allt Camhna. In that fight, Clan Gunn, with help from some of the Clan Mackay, had won against the Clan Sinclair.

However, not all parts of Clan Mackay were friends with the Gunns. The Mackays of Aberach were actually enemies of the Gunns at this time. This is why they fought against them at Leckmelm.

The Battle of Leckmelm

We know about the Battle of Leckmelm from old books. One important book is History of the House and Clan of the Mackay from 1829. It shares details from a historian who lived in the 1600s, Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet.

After their loss at Allt Camhna, the Earl of Caithness was very angry with the Gunns. Also, Hugh MacKay stopped supporting the Gunns.

The Earl of Caithness and the Sutherland clan leaders met up. They were joined by Sir Patrick Gordon, who was sent by Huntly. Their goal was to completely defeat the Gunns.

The Sutherland fighters, led by William Sutherland, joined forces with Niel MacKay and his clan. They also teamed up with James Macleod and his MacLeods.

The Gunns found out about this plan and tried to escape. They headed towards the Western Isles. But on their journey, James Mack-Rory (Macleod) and Niel Mack-ean-Mack-William (Mackay of Aberach) found them. They met at a place called Leckmelm near Loch Broom.

There was a fierce fight. In the end, Clan Gunn was defeated. Most of their fighters were killed during the battle.

What Happened Next

George Gunn, who was the leader of the Gunns, managed to get away. He swam across a nearby loch (a lake). But he was hurt and later captured.

He was given to the Earl of Caithness. However, George Gunn was later set free. The remaining members of his clan, who were scattered, eventually found their way back to their home lands.

The Mackay clan helped the Gunns get back their lands in Strathnaver. But eight years later, James Sinclair of Murkle attacked some of the Gunns in Strathy. He killed some of them to get revenge for his brother's death.