Battle of Littleferry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Littleferry
Part of the Jacobite rising of 1745
Memorial to the Battle of Littleferry 1746 unveiled in April 2022
Date 15 April 1746 Location Littleferry, Sutherland, Scotland grid reference NH8198 Result Hanoverian Government victory
Belligerents
Great Britain Two Independent Highland Companies drawn from: Clan Mackay Clan Sutherland Or three companies of Sutherland local militia	Jacobites drawn from: Clan Mackenzie Clan MacGregor Clan Mackinnon
Commanders and leaders
Ensign John Mackay of Moudale Or Ensign John Mackay from Golspie	George Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Cromartie
Strength
200 men	300-500 men
Casualties and losses
<6-10 killed Estimated 20 wounded	100 killed 150 or 172 captured.

The Battle of Littleferry (also called the Skirmish at Golspie) happened in 1746. It was part of the Jacobite rising of 1745, a big fight for the British throne. This battle took place just before the famous Battle of Culloden. In this fight, Scottish forces who supported the British Government won against Scottish Jacobite forces.

What Led to the Battle?

After a smaller fight called the Skirmish of Tongue, Jacobite forces lost a lot of money and important supplies. Captain Hugh Mackay's government forces captured these items. To get them back, a strong group of Jacobites was sent north. This group was led by George Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Cromartie. However, they arrived too late to help their friends who had been captured.

William Sutherland, 17th Earl of Sutherland was loyal to the British Government. But he hadn't gathered his clan's fighters fast enough. This made some people in London wonder if he was truly loyal. The Jacobites also doubted him. So, the Jacobite Earl of Cromartie was sent with 500 men to challenge the Earl of Sutherland. Cromartie's force attacked Dunrobin Castle. The Earl of Sutherland just barely escaped through a secret back door.

Who Fought in the Battle?

The Government Side

Accounts from historians like Angus Mackay and Peter Simpson say that Cromartie's men were attacked at Littleferry. This attack happened as they marched south. It was carried out by two special groups of soldiers. These were called Independent Highland Companies. One group was from Clan Sutherland and the other from Clan Mackay. They were led by Ensign John Mackay of Moudale.

However, other records suggest it was Ensign John Mackay of the Sutherland local militia. These local militia groups were less organized than the independent companies. A more recent historian, Patrick Marriott, believes the attack was led by Ensign John Mackay from Golspie. He was part of the Sutherland local militia. Marriott also says that most of the fighting for the Government was done by three Sutherland local militia companies.

One company had about 80 men. It was led by Captain Robert Macallister. Another had about 70 men, led by Lieutenant William Sutherland. The third had 80 to 100 men, led by Captain Robert Gray. Some men from the independent companies also joined this last group.

The Jacobite Side

The Jacobite force led by the Earl of Cromartie had about 300 to 500 men. These were some of their best fighters. They included members of the MacGregors, Coll Macdonnell of Barrisdale, the Clan Mackinnon, and the Jacobite Mackenzies.

How the Battle Happened

The Earl of Cromartie and his men decided to march south. They wanted to rejoin the main Jacobite army under Prince Charles at Inverness. The Jacobite officers thought all of Sutherland's men had left. So, they let their soldiers march ahead. The officers, who were on horseback, felt they could easily catch up.

But some of Sutherland's men were still hiding in the hills above Dunrobin. Led by Ensign John Mackay, these men came down from the hills near Golspie. They attacked the space between the rebel officers and their soldiers. Most of the Jacobite officers were captured. Many of their men were killed. The rest were pushed onto the beach, where some drowned trying to swim across Loch Fleet. Most of Cromartie's men were either killed or captured. This meant Prince Charles lost many needed reinforcements.

Angus Mackay wrote about the battle in The Book of Mackay. He said that Ensign John Mackay, with only a few men, bravely attacked Cromartie. This encouraged other Sutherland militia members nearby to join the fight. As a result, Cromartie was defeated. All his troops were either killed or captured. Mackay even forced his way into Dunrobin Castle, where Cromartie had fled. He captured the Earl, who was hiding under a bed.

Who Was Hurt?

According to historian Ruairidh MacLeod, about 100 Jacobite soldiers died in the battle. Patrick Marriott, another historian, estimated that the Government forces lost up to ten men killed. About twenty were wounded. However, one source says fewer than six Government soldiers died. Only two widows received money after the battle.

What Happened Next?

Cromartie, who was captured at Dunrobin Castle, was sent by ship to London. There, he and other Jacobite leaders faced serious consequences. Cromartie was later pardoned, meaning he was forgiven. But the others were executed.

Even after this victory, some in the London government still suspected the Sutherlands. They thought the Sutherlands might be secretly helping the rebels. The Earl of Sutherland spent several years trying to get money from the government. He wanted to be paid for the damage the rebels caused to his lands.

Angus Mackay believed the Battle of Littleferry was very important. He said Cromartie's Jacobite force would have greatly helped the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden. But they were stopped from joining. However, historian Tony Pollard believes Cromartie's force would have arrived too late for Culloden anyway.

After the battle, the Earl of Cromartie gave over a chest with about £900. This money was given out as prize money. A group was set up by the Earl of Sutherland to decide who got what. Captain Macallister and Captain Gray each received £70. Lieutenant Sutherland received £45. Lieutenant Hector Munro received £35. Ensign John Mackay received £50 for starting the attack and getting the money. The men who fought in the Culmaily part of the battle received £264. Two volunteers from the independent companies, Lieutenant John Mackay and Sergeant William Mackay, each received £35. Cromartie also gave two silver pistols to Lieutenant Hector Munro when he surrendered.

Remembering the Battle

In April 2022, a special stone memorial was put up at the battle site. It honors everyone who died in the battle, on both sides. People who are descendants of those who fought attended the ceremony.

Pipe Music

In 2022, a new Highland bagpipes tune was created to remember the battle. The Sutherland Schools Pipe Band played it at the memorial's unveiling.

Images for kids

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  View from Rhives above Golspie looking south across battlefield towards Littleferry and Loch Fleet

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  Memorial to the Battle of Littleferry 1746 unveiled in April 2022 with wreaths laid by the Royal British Legion Golspie branch and the Lord Lieutenant of Sutherland