Sutherland of Killipheder facts for kids

The Sutherlands of Kilphedder were a smaller noble family from Scotland. They were a part of the much larger and older Clan Sutherland, a famous Highland Scottish clan. Their home was in a place called Killipheder, located in the county of Sutherland, Scotland.

Who Were the Sutherlands of Kilphedder?

The first known leader of the Sutherlands of Kilphedder was a man named Alexander Sutherland. He was a younger son of John Sutherland, 8th Earl of Sutherland, who was the chief of Clan Sutherland. Some people, like the historian Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet, believed that Alexander was not a legitimate son.

Fighting for the Earldom (1500s)

After John Sutherland, the 8th Earl, passed away, his oldest son, John Sutherland, 9th Earl of Sutherland, became Earl. However, the 9th Earl died in 1514 without any children to take his place. Before he died, he said that his sister Elizabeth Sutherland and her husband Adam Gordon (who was from the Clan Gordon) should be the next in line.

In 1517, a battle called the Battle of Torran Dubh happened. Some stories, especially from Sir Robert Gordon, say that Elizabeth convinced her younger brother Alexander Sutherland (the first of Killipheder) to lead Clan Sutherland against the Clan Mackay. The Sutherlands supposedly won this battle.

However, another historian, William Fraser, questioned this story. He said that Alexander Sutherland was actually in prison for the entire year of 1517, meaning he couldn't have been at the battle.

Later, Alexander Sutherland of Killipheder married the sister of John Mackay, who was the chief of the clan he supposedly fought against. It seems Mackay then encouraged Alexander to try and claim the Earldom of Sutherland for himself. Alexander did this, rebelling against his own sister Elizabeth and her husband Adam Gordon.

Alexander Sutherland, 1st of Killipheder, was killed in another battle called the Battle of Alltachuilain in 1518. After his death, the Earldom of Sutherland stayed with the children of his sister Elizabeth and Adam Gordon.

Around 1550 or 1551, Alexander Sutherland's son, John Sutherland, tried to attack Dunrobin Castle. This castle was the main home of the Earls and Countesses of Sutherland. The people of Sutherland were not happy with the rules set by the Gordons. They chose John Sutherland to lead them and attacked Alexander Gordon, who was the brother of John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland, while he was at church. Alexander Gordon gathered his men, and the attackers were scattered. John Sutherland was later killed in the castle garden by a man named William Murray. However, William Murray was later killed in revenge for this by another Sutherland, the laird of Clyne.

Later Fights and Battles

In 1586, William Sutherland of Killipheder, who was Alexander's grandson, fought to support the Gordon Earls of Sutherland. This happened at the Battle of Leckmelm against the Clan Gunn.

In 1623, another Alexander Sutherland of Killipheder shared command of a part of an army. This army, led by Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet, marched into Caithness. They made George Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness, surrender because he had been declared a rebel.

The 1800s and Clan Leadership

In 1766, Elizabeth became the Countess of Sutherland. She was a very young child and later became the Duchess of Sutherland. Even though she was the Countess, she could not become the chief of Clan Sutherland because, at that time, a woman could not lead the clan.

William Sutherland of Killipheder (who died in 1832) received some money from the Countess. He was seen as the oldest male descendant of the original Earls. However, John Campbell Sutherland of Forse was then considered the true chief of the clan.

The Home at Killipheder

The family of Alexander Sutherland, 1st of Killipheder, lived on the lands of Killipheder for many generations. They paid a small rent to the Earls of Sutherland. Today, the old ruins at Kilphedder are mostly linked to one of Alexander's descendants: William Sutherland of Kilphedder. He was known for being very strong and tall, and he repaired and made his family's home bigger.

Leaders of Killipheder (Partial List)

Here are some of the known leaders of the Sutherlands of Killipheder:

• Alexander Sutherland, 1st of Killipheder
• William Sutherland, 2nd of Killipheder (he had two younger sons named Hugh and Angus Sutherland)
• William Sutherland, 3rd of Killipheder
• Hugh Sutherland, 4th of Killipheder
• William Sutherland, 5th of Killipheder

Family Tree

According to a book called The Scots Peerage, published in 1911, the family line of Alexander Sutherland, 1st of Killipheder, continued until at least 1829. The book also mentioned that the family "may still exist" even after that time.

See also

• Earl of Sutherland
• Clan Sutherland
• Sutherland of Forse
• Lord Duffus