The Battle of the Braes of Strathdearn, 1645

The Battle of the Braes of Strathdearn was a Scottish clan battle that took place in 1645 between the Clan Grant and the Clan Cameron. The battle was a result of a raid conducted by the Camerons on the lands of Moyness, which were then held by the Clan Grant. The Camerons had previously raided the same lands in 1598, when they were under the control of the Clan Dunbar.

The raid itself consisted of Cameron men lifting a large number of cattle from the Grant lands of Moyness in Morayshire. Upon discovering the raid, the Grants gave chase and caught the Camerons in the Braes of Strathdearn, where the battle took place. The commander of the Grant clansmen, Grant of Lurg, sent forward a powerful man named Lawson to request that the Camerons leave them the cattle to avoid bloodshed. However, upon his return, the Camerons shot him dead with an arrow, leading to the battle between the two sides.

The battle was a victory for the Grants, who recovered all of their stolen cattle. According to Mackenzie, nineteen men from one branch of Clan Cameron were left dead on the battlefield and many were seriously wounded.

In the aftermath of the battle, Sir James Grant complained to Cameron of Lochiel, the chief of Clan Cameron, who replied in writing to say that the Camerons did not know the lands belonged to the Grants and if they had then they would not have carried out the raid. In his letter, Cameron of Lochiel said that he had already had eight men dead and another twelve or thirteen wounded who he did not know if they would live or die. The Earl of Seaforth, chief of Clan Mackenzie, had also complained about the Cameron’s conduct, and Lochiel replied to say that at the time of the battle and raid, he had been in Argyll.

It is thought that Allan Cameron, XVI Captain and Chief of Clan Cameron had little to do with this raid/battle, since he was in his eighty-third year of age and was reportedly in Argyll at the time it occurred. However, this does not negate the fact that the raid was carried out by members of the Cameron clan and that the battle resulted in a significant loss for them.

The Battle of the Braes of Strathdearn was just one of many clan battles that took place in Scotland during the 17th century. These battles were often a result of disputes over land, cattle, and other resources. The Highland clans, in particular, were known for their fierce and violent conflicts with one another.

The Battle of the Braes of Strathdearn is an important event in Scottish history as it represents the ongoing feuds and conflicts between different clans. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and respecting the boundaries and rights of others. In the end, the battle was a victory for the Clan Grant, but it came at a great cost, with many lives lost on both sides.