Sandside Chase facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sandside Chase (Battle of Ruoig-Hansett)
Part of the Scottish clan wars
Sandside Bay
Date 1437 Location west of Thurso, Caithness grid reference NC950642 Result Mackay victory
Belligerents
Clan Mackay	Clan Gunn
Commanders and leaders
Neil Mackay, 8th of Strathnaver John Aberach Mackay
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	"Crushing defeat"

The Sandside Chase was a battle between Scottish clans that happened in 1437. It took place in Caithness, a region in northern Scotland, about 6 miles (10 km) west of Thurso. This fight is also known by its Gaelic name, Ruoig-Hansett.

The battle involved the Clan Mackay and local people from Caithness, including members of Clan Gunn. The Clan Mackay launched a surprise attack from their home area of Strathnaver. They raided towards Thurso but met strong resistance. The Mackays then pulled back to a place called Sandside. There, they got more fighters and managed to defeat their opponents near the coast.

Why the Battle Happened

The leader of Clan Mackay was Neil Mackay, 8th of Strathnaver. His father, Angus Du Mackay, 7th of Strathnaver, was the chief. In 1427, Neil Mackay had been put in prison by King James I of Scotland. This was because he was involved in another battle called the Battle of Harpsdale in 1426.

Neil Mackay was released from prison in 1436. The very next year, he decided to raid Caithness again. This raid was similar to the one that led to the Battle of Harpsdale eleven years earlier. It seems he wanted to get back at the people of Caithness or take their resources.

The Battle Unfolds

The Clan Mackay fighters first met the Caithness men at a place called Dounreay. The Mackays pushed them back towards the Forss Water. However, more Caithness fighters arrived, forcing the Mackays to retreat to Sandside.

At Sandside, the Mackays were joined by their own backup forces. These extra fighters had been waiting on Drum Hollistan to protect the main group from behind. With these new troops, a Mackay leader named Ian Aberach cleverly moved his enemies into a curved part of the bay below Sandside House.

The Mackays then defeated their opponents around an old fort called Cnoc Stangar. The few survivors were chased all the way back to Dounreay, about three miles away. It was a big victory for Clan Mackay.

In 1915, there was a line of about 60 stones still standing near Dounreay. People said these stones marked the graves of some of the people killed in this battle. However, these stones had disappeared by 1964.

Stories of the Sandside Chase

Historians and writers have told the story of the Sandside Chase over the years. These accounts help us understand what happened during this important clan battle.

Early Accounts

One of the earliest stories of the battle comes from a book called Conflicts of the Clans. This book was published in 1764. It was based on writings by Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet, who lived much earlier, during the time of King James VI of Scotland (1566 - 1625).

Sir Robert Gordon's own detailed writings were published in 1813. He wrote that Neil Wasse Mackay, right after leaving prison in 1437, went into Caithness and took many things. Gordon said that Mackay fought with some local people at Sansett (Sandside). He won the fight, but both sides lost some men. This fight was called Ruoig-Hansett, meaning "the flight or chase at Sansett." Sir Robert Gordon also noted that Neil Wasse Mackay died soon after this battle.

Traditional Story

A more traditional story of the battle was written by Robert Mackay in his book, History of the House and Clan of the Name Mackay, published in 1829. This account suggests that the people of Caithness had raided the Mackay lands first. In response, Neil Mackay and his brother John-Abrach led their men into Caithness and took many valuable things.

To be safe, they placed some extra fighters near Drimholisten. Neil and John were then attacked by a large group of Caithness men at Downreay. A fierce fight happened, and the Caithness men ran away. The Mackays chased them for about four miles to the Forss Water.

At Forss Water, Neil and John saw a new group of Caithness men coming to help their friends. The Mackays then went back to Sanside (Sandside). By this time, their backup fighters had joined them. A very intense battle followed. It ended with the Caithness men being defeated and running away. The Mackays chased them for about three miles back to Downreay. This event is still called Ruoig Haundsaid, or the Sandside Chase.