Stand-off dispute to the lands of Beauly Priory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stand-off dispute to the lands of Beauly Priory |
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 The ruins of Beauly Priory |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Clan Mackenzie | Clan Fraser of Lovat Clan Munro |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Colin Cam Mackenzie, 11th of Kintail | Thomas Fraser of Knockie, Tutor to Lord Lovat Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 200 men | Frasers: 60 men + 2 field pieces Munros: 300 men |
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Imagine a disagreement over land that almost turned into a big fight! This happened around 1577 or 1578 in a place called Beauly in the Scottish Highlands. Two powerful Scottish clans, the Clan Mackenzie and the Clan Fraser of Lovat, were involved. The leader of the Mackenzies was Colin Cam Mackenzie, 11th of Kintail. The Frasers were led by Thomas Fraser of Knockie, who was looking after the young chief, Simon Fraser, 6th Lord Lovat. Another clan, the Clan Munro, led by Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis, also joined in to help the Frasers.
Why the Clans Disagreed
This disagreement started because the land borders were not clear. The Frasers owned the lands around Beauly Priory, a historic building. North of this priory were lands owned by the Mackenzies.
A historian named Alexander Mackenzie, who wrote in the 1800s, explained the problem. There were no clear "marches" or boundaries between the two clan's lands.
Another old document, the Wardlaw Manuscript, suggests the Mackenzies might have been jealous. They might have wanted the priory lands themselves. Or, they worried the Frasers were trying to take over their own lands, which the Mackenzies didn't have official papers for.
The Standoff at Beauly
The situation became tense when Colin Mackenzie of Kintail arrived with 200 armed men. In response, Thomas Fraser placed 60 of his men inside the house at Beauly. They had two field pieces, which are like small cannons, pointed north towards the Mackenzies.
Mackenzie's scouts were seen, and the Fraser's cannons fired a few warning shots. Meanwhile, Munro, the leader of the Munros, marched with 300 of his men. They stopped at the River Conon, ready to support the Frasers.
Munro sent two of his important leaders to speak with Mackenzie. They asked if there was a problem between the Mackenzies and the Frasers. They also made it clear that the Munros would support Lord Lovat and the Frasers if there was a fight.
Mackenzie replied that he had no issues with Lord Lovat. After this, the two Munro leaders returned. Munro then sent his men home. He then visited Lovat Castle to talk to the young Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat.
According to the historian Alexander Mackenzie, the Mackenzies were surprised by how many people were ready to fight them. Because of this, they decided to talk things out peacefully instead of fighting.
What Happened Next
The peaceful talks led to an important agreement. Lord Lovat, the young Fraser chief, agreed to marry Catherine. She was the oldest daughter of Colin Mackenzie of Kintail. Lord Lovat was seventeen years old when he married her. This marriage helped to create peace between the two powerful clans.
See also
