Skirmish of Alness
Skirmish of Alness | |||||||
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Part of Jacobite rising of 1715 | |||||||
The Bridge of Alness | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Great Britain: Clan Sutherland Clan Mackay Clan Ross Clan Munro[1] | |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Earl of Sutherland Lord Reay Baronet Munro Munro of Newmore[1] |
Earl of Seaforth Sir Donald MacDonald[1] | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
1800[1] | 3000[2] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
1 killed[3] | None[3] |
The Skirmish of Alness was a conflict that took place in October 1715 in Alness, in the county of Ross in the Scottish Highlands. It was part of the Jacobite rising of 1715 and pitted Highlanders loyal to the British-Hanoverian Government of George I of Great Britain against Highlanders loyal to the Jacobite House of Stuart.[1][2]
Background
Great expectations were placed on John Gordon, 16th Earl of Sutherland, chief of Clan Sutherland, who like the Munros supported the government.[1] Munro of Foulis had applied to both the Earl of Sutherland and Lord Reay for their support.[1] The Earl of Sutherland gathered his forces and was joined by George Mackay, 3rd Lord Reay, chief of the Clan Mackay and a force from the Clan Ross who also supported the government. They arrived at Alness on 5 October and the Earl reviewed his forces and counted a force of 1800 men.[1] They formed up in order of battle with the Mackays and the Rosses on the right, the Sutherlands in the centre and the Munros on the left.[1] It is said that the Rosses were only armed with sharpened wooden poles as they had previously agreed to give up their weapons to the government.[1][2] The Munros by contrast had six pieces of cannon, which according to Mackenzie of Seaforth, they had "boasted" that they would use to batter down his home at Brahan Castle.[1]
The conflict
Mackenzie of Seaforth on hearing of this gathering that opposed him was determined to disperse it.
A council of war
A council of war was held between the leaders of the two sides in which the Earl of Sutherland and Lord Reay decided that due to their enemy's superior numbers it would not be wise to fight.[2][5] However, Munro of Foulis and his cousin George Munro, 3rd of Newmore were up for fighting.[5] Munro of Newmore apparently protested that although the enemy was superior in numbers that it was still their business to fight them because they might have a chance of beating them, and if not they would still be able to "scatter" them.[5] In a letter from Thomas Robertson in Inverness, dated 30 January 1716, the writer says that Mackenzie of Seaforth demanded hostages to ensure that the Earl of Sutherland and Munro of Foulis would not trouble his lands while he was absent in the south.[5] In the end the pro government clans marched off back to their homes.[5]
Aftermath
The Munros and Rosses returned home to find that their lands had been plundered.[2][6] However, according to historian DM Rose, it is proved by contemporary evidence that Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet had greatly exaggerated the excesses that Mackenzie’s men had committed on his lands.[1] According to Rose an account given by Munro’s cousin, Munro of Culcairn, is more to be relied on, in which he states: "a few men of disreputable character did damage wantonly, and their proceedings are said by Seaforth's enemies to have been countenanced by him".[1] However, it was enough for Sir Robert Munro to gather his forces and retaliate in the Siege of Brahan where the Munros and Sutherlanders laid waste to Mackenzie’s lands at Brahan Castle.[6] This followed the Siege of Inverness (1715) where Mackenzie of Coul had been holding out but was forced to retreat on 13 November and the main Jacobite army, which included Mackenzie of Seaforth was defeated at the Battle of Sheriffmuir on the same day.[7]
Gallery
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Clan Mackenzie tartan in the Clan Munro exhibition at the Storehouse of Foulis
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Clan Sutherland tartan in the Clan Munro exhibition at the Storehouse of Foulis
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Clan Ross tartan in the Clan Munro exhibition at the Storehouse of Foulis
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Rose, D.M (1897). "6". Historical notes; or Essays on the '15 and '45. Edinburgh: W Brown. pp. 38–52. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Sage, Rev. Donald, A.M. (1789 - 1869). Minister of Resolis. "1". Memorabilia Domestica or Parish Life in the North of Scotland. pp. 4-5. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ ISBN 978-0-00-722950-5.
- ^ Mackenzie, Alan (2006). "10". History of the Mackenzies (PDF). electricscotland.com. p. 125. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Mackenzie, Alexander (1898). History of the Munros of Fowlis. pp. 194-196. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
- ^ ISBN 0-7179-4535-9.
- ^ Mackenzie, Alexander (1896). History of the Frasers of Lovat, with genealogies of the principal families of the name: to which is added those of Dunballoch and Phopachy. Inverness: A. & W. Mackenzie. pp. 342-343. Retrieved 14 April 2019.