Battle of Logiebride facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Logiebride
Part of the Scottish clan wars
The River Conon, near to the village of Conon Bridge where the battle took place
Date 1597 Location Conon Bridge, Rosshire, Scotland Result Results vary from different sources
Belligerents
Bains of Tulloch Clan Munro	Clan MacLeod of Lewis Clan Mackenzie
Commanders and leaders
John Bain	John "Macgillichallum" MacLeod
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
According to Sir Robert Gordon (1625): 3 killed According to Alexander Mackenzie (1894): 50 killed According to Alan Mackenzie (2006): 3 killed	According to Sir Robert Gordon (1625): 5 killed According to Alexander Mackenzie (1894): 2 killed According to Alan Mackenzie (2006): 5 killed

The Battle of Logiebride was more of a small fight than a big battle. It was also called the Tumult in Ross. This event happened on February 4, 1597. It took place at the Logie Candlemas market, near Conon Bridge in Scotland. The fight was between members of the Clan Mackenzie and members of the Clan Munro and the Bain family.

Why the Fight Started

The main reason for the fight was a disagreement over land. John MacLeod, whose brother was a chief of the Clan MacLeod of Raasay, had a problem with the Bain family of Tulloch Castle.

The Clan Munro supported the Bains. The Clan Mackenzie sided with John MacLeod. Another story says that Alexander Bain, known as "Alastair Mor Ban," was a strong and fierce person. When a Mackenzie claimed some Bain lands, Alexander Bain led his men to a fair at Logie. There, they fought and killed the Mackenzie, which led to the Battle of Logiebride.

Stories About the Battle

Many different historical accounts describe the Battle of Logiebride. These stories sometimes have different details about what happened.

Early Accounts (1600s - 1700s)

Sir Robert Gordon's Story (1630)

Sir Robert Gordon lived during the time of the battle. He wrote about it in his book, History of the Earldom of Sutherland. He called it a "tumult" that almost caused bigger problems in the area.

Gordon said the fight was between John Macgillichallum (from Clan MacLeod) and Alexander Bain (from the Bain family). The Munros helped Bain, and the Mackenzies helped Macgillichallum. John Macgillichallum and five Mackenzies were killed. On the other side, three Munros were killed. After the fight, both clans prepared for more conflict. However, friends and neighbors helped them make peace.

John Mackenzie of Applecross's Story (1669)

John Mackenzie of Applecross wrote his own history of the Mackenzies. He said the fight happened in 1597. John M'Gillichallum claimed lands that belonged to the Bains of Tulloch. He said the previous Bain chief had promised him the land.

When the new Bain chief, Alister, took over, he brought armed men to the Candlemas market. John M'Gillichallum was there, buying things. Alister Bain attacked him with a sword and killed him. Another Mackenzie tried to help but was also killed. The Bains and Munros then ran away. Some Mackenzies chased them. They reportedly killed many Munros. The Mackenzies later burned some Munro lands. Eventually, both the Bains and Munros made peace with the Mackenzies.

The Wardlaw Manuscript (1674)

The Wardlaw manuscript was written by James Fraser. He said the battle happened on February 4, 1597, at the Candlemas fair in Logy. The fight started between John Mackillchallim (a MacLeod) and John Bain (brother of Duncan Bain of Tulloch).

Fraser described John Mackillchallim as a troublemaker. He said Mackillchallim would often cause problems at markets. At this fair, John Bain saw him bothering a merchant's wife. Bain challenged him, and they started fighting. John Bain wounded Mackillchallim, who later died. Three Mackenzies were also killed. On John Bain's side, three Munros were killed. John Bain escaped. The King later gave John Bain a pardon for his actions.

Munro Family Tree (1734)

An old Munro family tree from 1734 mentions only two Munro deaths. This agrees with Sir Robert Gordon's earlier account. It does not mention the higher number of Munro deaths claimed by some later historians.

Later Publications (1800s - 2000s)

Alexander Mackenzie's Accounts (1894/1898)

Historian Alexander Mackenzie wrote about the battle in his books, The History of the Mackenzies and The History of the Munros of Fowlis. He said the "disturbance" happened on February 4, 1597. It was between the Mackenzies against the Bains and Munros.

Mackenzie said John MacGilliechallum and the Bains had a disagreement over land. Bain came to the market with many armed men, including Munros. MacGilliechallum was buying something when Bain attacked and killed him. Another Mackenzie was also killed. The Mackenzies then raised their war cry. The Bains and Munros fled, and the Mackenzies chased them. Alexander Mackenzie claimed that two Mackenzies killed thirteen Munros. He also said that most of the Bains were killed and that the Munros lost as many as fifty men. However, these higher numbers are not found in the earlier accounts by Sir Robert Gordon or John Mackenzie of Applecross.

Alan Mackenzie's Account (2006)

A more recent book, A History of the Mackenzies by Alan Mackenzie, describes the battle very similarly to Sir Robert Gordon's early account. This suggests that the earliest story is still considered reliable.