The Battle of Bealach nam Broig, 1452

The Battle of Bealach nam Broig, also known as the Great Battle of Bealach nam Broig, was a conflict between Scottish clans in the lands of northwest Ross and northeastern clans of Ross who supported the Earl of Ross. The exact date of the battle is uncertain, with some sources suggesting it took place as early as 1299 and others placing it in 1452. The battle took place at Bealach nam Broig, a pass located about 20 miles northwest of Inverness in the parish of Fodderty, Scotland. The pass separates the high ridge of Ben Wyvis from the lower summit of Carn Mòr, overlooking Loch Bealach Cùlaidh to the east.

According to accounts of the battle, the conflict was sparked when a rising occurred against the Earl of Ross by highlanders living in the mountains, consisting of the “Clan-juer” (Clan Iver), “Clantalvigh” (Clan-t-aluigh, or Clan Aulay), and “Clan-leajwe” (Clan-leaive, or Clan Leay). In response, the Earl of Ross captured the leader of the uprising and imprisoned him at Dingwall Castle. In retaliation, the revolting clans seized the Earl of Ross’s second son at Balnagown in an effort to secure the release of their leader, and took him with them. The Munros and Dingwalls then pursued and caught up with the rising clans at Bealach nam Broig, leading to a fierce battle fueled by old feuds and animosities.

According to one account, the MacIvers, MacAulays, and MacLeays were nearly annihilated in the battle, while the Munros and Dingwalls emerged victorious. However, the victory was reportedly a hollow one, as the Earl’s son was rescued but the Munros and Dingwalls suffered significant losses, with 140 Dingwalls and 11 Munros from the house of Foulis reported killed. Another account states that the battle resulted in the almost total extermination of the MacIvers, MacAulays, and MacLeays, and that the Munros and Dingwalls won the day due to their superior numbers and the element of surprise.

There are several accounts of the Battle of Bealach nam Broig that have been recorded in 17th-century manuscripts and 19th-20th century publications. Sir Robert Gordon’s 17th-century manuscript, published in 1813 as A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland, gives the date of the battle as around 1275. However, an earlier book based on Gordon’s manuscript, published in 1764 and again in 1780 as Conflicts of the Clans, states that the battle took place in 1299. George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie, wrote an account of the battle in his MS History of the Family of Mackenzie in 1669, stating that the MacIvers, MacAulays, and MacLeays were almost entirely exterminated in the conflict.