The Battle of the North Inch, 1396

The Battle of the North Inch, also known as the Battle of the Clans, was a staged battle that took place in September 1396 in Perth, Scotland. The battle was witnessed by King Robert III of Scotland and his court, and consisted of 30 men from each side. There is some disagreement among historians about the exact clans involved in the battle. Some believe that it was fought between the Mackintoshes and Macphersons of the Clan Chattan and the Clan Cameron, while others argue that it was fought between the Clan Macpherson and Clan Davidson, both of which were part of the Clan Chattan confederation. The motivations for the fight are unclear, but it is believed that it may have been related to an internal dispute within the Clan Chattan confederation, or a continuation of the long-standing hostilities between the Clan Chattan and the Clan Cameron. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the exact clans involved and the motivations for the fight, the outcome of the Battle of the North Inch is clear: the Clan Chattan emerged victorious, with only one opponent surviving the battle, at a cost of 19 deaths on their own side. The battle has had a lasting impact on Scottish history and has been recorded in several historical accounts and inspired works of literature. It remains a significant event in the history of Scotland and is remembered as a notable example of the clan rivalries and conflicts that characterized this period of Scottish history. The origins of the Battle of the North Inch can be traced back to earlier conflicts between the Clan Chattan and the Clan Cameron, including the Battle of Invernahavon in 1370 or 1386. Contemporary evidence for the battle can be found in the Chamberlain Rolls from 1396 to 1397, which recorded the expenses for the construction of the lists for the 60 men who fought in the battle. The battle is also mentioned in several later historical accounts, including the Orygynale Cronykil of Scotland, written by Andrew of Wyntoun in about 1420, and the Scotichronicon, written by Walter Bower in the 15th century. Four 16th century historians also recorded the battle: John Major in his History of Greater Britain, Hector Boece in his Historia Gentis Scotorum, George Buchanan in his History of Scotland, and John Lesley in his De origine, moribus, ac rebus gestis Scotiae libri decem.