The Battle of Knockmary, 1511

The Battle of Knockmary, also known as the Battle of Rottenreoch, was a violent conflict between several Scottish clans that took place in the late 15th or early 16th century. The exact date of the battle is unclear, with some sources citing 1511 and others 1490. The conflict arose after the Murrays of Ochtertyre took cattle from the Drummonds of Strathearn in order to pay a debt to the Abbot of Inchaffray. In response, William Drummond, the son of the 1st Lord Drummond, attacked the Murrays.

The clans initially met at Knock Mary, a hill located on the south bank of the River Earn between the river and Drummond Castle. At first, the Murrays seemed to be winning the battle, but their fortunes changed with the arrival of the Campbells from Dunstaffnage, led by Duncan Campbell, as well as the McRobbies from Balloch and the Faichneys from Argyllshire. The Campbells had joined the fight in order to avenge the recent murder of their two brothers-in-law and father-in-law, Drummond of Menie, by the Murrays.

The dead from the Battle of Knockmary were traditionally believed to be buried in the cairn of Rottenreoch, just north of Knock Mary. However, it has since been discovered that this cairn is actually a Neolithic long cairn, rather than a mass grave from the battle.

After the battle, the Murrays fled across the River Earn and took refuge in the Kirk of Monzievaird, a church located about a mile north of the river. Drummond was content to let them go, but as Campbell and his forces returned home, an arrow fired from the church killed one of his men. In response, the church was burned down, resulting in the deaths of around 120 to 160 Murrays in what became known as the Massacre of Monzievaird.

William Drummond was subsequently arrested and, despite his protests of innocence, was executed at Stirling along with many of his friends. The consequences of the Battle of Knockmary and the Massacre of Monzievaird are unclear, but it is certain that these events had a significant impact on the involved clans and individuals.