The Battle of Allt Camhna, 1586

The Battle of Allt Camhna was a clan battle fought in 1586 in Scotland between the Clan Gunn and Clan Mackay against the Clan Sinclair. The conflict arose out of a meeting between the Earl of Sutherland, Earl of Caithness, and Hugh Mackay in which it was decided that the Clan Gunn should be attacked for their role in causing “troubles and commotions”. However, both Hugh Mackay and George Sinclair, Earl of Caithness, were unwilling to attack their old allies, the Clan Gunn. As a result, the Marquess of Huntly and the Earl of Sutherland called a second meeting in which they proposed that the Gunns be destroyed. The Earl of Caithness agreed with this proposal, but Hugh Mackay did not attend the meeting and was declared a rebel by the Earl of Sutherland.

The battle itself saw the Sinclairs of Caithness, led by Henry Sinclair, attack the Clan Gunn, who were joined by a group of Mackays led by William Mackay. The Mackays and Gunns ultimately defeated the Sinclairs, killing Henry Sinclair in the process. The aftermath of the battle saw Hugh Mackay declared a rebel and flee to Orkney, while the Earl of Caithness was imprisoned for a time.

The Battle of Allt Camhna was significant because it marked a shift in the balance of power between the clans in the region. Prior to the battle, the Clan Gunn and Clan Mackay had been allied with the Clan Sinclair, but the defeat of the Sinclairs at the hands of the Mackays and Gunns led to a realignment of alliances. The Mackays and Gunns became more closely allied, while the Sinclairs were weakened by the loss of their leader and many of their men. This shift in power would have long-lasting consequences for the clans involved and the region as a whole.