The Battle of Alltan-Beath, 1542

The Battle of Alltan-Beath, also known as the Battle of Ailtan-Beath, was a Scottish clan battle that took place in 1542 in the village of Knockarthur in Sutherland, in the Scottish Highlands. The conflict was between the Clan Mackay and the Clan Sutherland, led by the Gordon, Earls of Sutherland. The background events leading up to the battle are disputed, with different accounts given by Sir Robert Gordon and Angus Mackay. According to Sir Robert Gordon, Donald Mackay of Strathnaver invaded Sutherland and took a “prey of goods” from the village of Knockartel, which was later recovered. Angus Mackay’s account states that Donald Mackay occupied Skibo Castle in Sutherland with a group of clansmen for the protection of the region.

The actual battle is not mentioned in the accounts of Mackay historians or in Sir Robert Gordon’s History of the Earldom of Sutherland. However, according to the book Conflicts of the Clans, Donald Mackay’s men were surprised by the Sutherland forces at Ailtan-Beath and were defeated, with John MacIan-MacAngus, a chieftain of the Mackays, being killed. After the battle, Donald Mackay was captured and imprisoned in Foulis Castle in Ross.

The conflict between the Mackays and Sutherlands continued after the battle, with both sides engaging in raids and attacks on each other’s territory. The situation was further complicated by the fact that Earl John of Sutherland, the leader of the Clan Sutherland, was a minor at the time and his mother, Lady Margaret, was married to Sir Hugh Kennedy of Griffen Mains. Sir Hugh played a significant role in the events leading up to the battle, according to Sir Robert Gordon’s account.

The conflict between the Mackays and Sutherlands eventually came to an end when Donald Mackay was released from captivity. It is not clear what led to his release or what the terms of his release were. However, the end of the conflict between the two clans marked a period of relative peace in Sutherland, with both sides turning their attention to other matters.