The Battle of Lochaber, 1429

The Battle of Lochaber was a conflict that took place in 1429 in the Scottish Highlands. It was fought between the forces of Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles, and the Royalist army of King James I of Scotland. The battle was a part of a larger conflict between the Macdonalds, a powerful clan in the Scottish Highlands, and the Scottish monarchy.

The background to the battle can be traced back to the 14th century, when the Macdonalds, a powerful clan in the Highlands, began to assert their control over the region. In particular, the Macdonalds sought to secure their lands on the mainland of Scotland at the expense of the Scottish kings in Edinburgh. In 1429, Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles, claimed the Earldom of Ross through inheritance from his mother Margaret, Countess of Ross. However, King James I disputed this claim and called a Parliament at Inverness Castle in late August 1428, at which Alexander and many other notable men of the north were arrested.

Despite his imprisonment, Alexander was eventually released and set out to assert his control over the Highlands. He led an army of around 10,000 men, consisting of his own clansmen as well as allies from other clans such as the MacLeods and the MacIntyres. The Royalist army, on the other hand, was made up of a mix of Lowland Scots and Highlanders loyal to the King. The two sides clashed at Lochaber, with the Macdonalds ultimately emerging victorious.

The aftermath of the battle saw Alexander and the Macdonalds solidify their control over the Highlands, while King James I was left to lick his wounds. The battle was seen as a significant victory for the Macdonalds and a defeat for the Scottish monarchy, and it would have far-reaching consequences for the future of Scotland. In the years that followed, the Macdonalds would continue to defy the authority of the Scottish kings, leading to further conflict and strife in the Highlands.