The Battle of Drumchatt, 1497

The Battle of Drumchatt was a Scottish clan battle that took place in 1497 between the Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh and a coalition of Clan Mackenzie and possibly Clan Munro. The conflict arose due to the revoking of the title of Lord of the Isles from the chief of Clan Donald, Sir John of Islay, by King James IV of Scotland in 1493. This led to many northern clans feeling that they no longer had to pledge allegiance to the MacDonalds, leading to the formation of an alliance between the Mackenzies and Munros to fight against the MacDonalds.

The battle took place at Drumchatt, also known as “the Cat’s Back”, a ridge southeast of Strathpeffer. The exact details of the battle are not well-documented, but it is known that the MacDonalds were defeated and driven out of Ross. The aftermath of the battle saw the knight of Lochalsh attempting to rally support among the Isles, but he was unsuccessful and was killed by MacIan of Ardnamurchan.

The consequences of the Battle of Drumchatt were significant for the power dynamics of the western Highlands and the title of Lord of the Isles. The defeat of the MacDonalds weakened their position and allowed other clans, such as the Mackenzies, to rise in power. The title of Lord of the Isles, which had previously been held by the Clan Donald, became increasingly contested following the battle, leading to further conflicts in the region.

Overall, the Battle of Drumchatt was a significant event in the history of Scotland, marking a shift in the balance of power among the clans of the western Highlands and the Isle of Skye. Despite the limited documentation of the battle, it is clear that it had a lasting impact on the region and the relationships between the various clans.