Battle of Achnashellach

The Battle of Achnashellach was a Scottish clan battle said to have taken place during the early 16th century, in the year 1505, in the Scottish Highlands at a place called Achnashellach. It was fought between the Clan Cameron against the Clan MacKay and the Clan Munro.

The Battle

Contemporary evidence

Little is known of the events concerning the Battle of Achnashellach as there is little contemporary evidene to support it. However the Clan Munro records that "Sir William Munro of Foulis was sent to Lochaber on the King's business and was killed in an engagement between the Camerons and MacKays at a place called Achnashellach in 1505". [The Clan Munro by CI Fraser of Reeling published by Johnston & Bacon of Stirling. p.21.] Aside from this there is little evidence of the battle, however it is Clan Cameron tradition that they defeated a joint force of Munros and MacKays. [http://www.clan-cameron.org/battles/1505.html http://www.clan-cameron.org/battles/1505.html]

Donald Gregory's background account

Donald Greogory's book "History of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland from AD 1493 to AD 1625", with quoted source, gives an insight into the circumstances in Scotland, in the years prior to the battle:

"A.D.1502: A commission was afterwards given to the Earl of Huntly, the Lord Lovat, and William Munro of Fowlis to proceed to Lochaber and let the King's lands of Lochaber and Mamore, for the space of five years, to true men. At the sametime, the commissioners had strictinstructions to expelall broken men from these districts, which,in the state of affairs at that time, was equivalent to an order to expel the whole population. Similar directions were given relative to the lands forfeited by MacLeod of Lewis" ["History of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland, from A.D. 1493 to A.D. 1625", by Donald Gregory, quoting sources: Reg. of Privy Seal, II. fo. 108.]

MacKenzie's account of the battle

Alexander MacKenzie's account in his book "The History of the Munroes of Fowlis" is the only available published account of the battle. It should be noted that MacKenzie does not provide a source for the battle and therefore his account cannot be taken as definate fact. MacKenzie does however quote Gregory's book for the events of 1502, already mentioned above.

"Sir William is said to have been killed in the prime of his life, in 1505, at a place called Achnashellach or Achnaskellach, in Lochaber, by Ewen "MacAlein Mhic Dhom'huill Duibh", XIII. of Lochiel, in a raid which is thus described in Lochiels Memoirs. Besides the other wars wherein Lochiel was engaged, he had also a ruffle with Baron of Reay, Chief of the MacKays, a people living many miles north of Lochaber. What the quarrel was I know not, but it drew on an invasion from the Camerons, and that an engagement wherein the MacKays were defeated and the Laird of Fowlis, Chief of the Munros, who assisted them, was killed upon the spot."

"In 1502 a Royal Commission had been given to the Earl of Huntly, Thomas fourth Lord Lovat, and Sir William Munro of Fowlis, to proceed to Lochaber and let the King's lands of Lochaber and Mamore for the space of five years to true men, and this is what probably led to the raid and the collision with the Camerons in which Sir William was slain." [Alexander MacKenzie's History of the Munroes of Fowlis (1898)]

Aftermath

William Munro left two sons Hector and William. The eldest, Hector Munro took over as chief and had extensive lands confirmed to him by King James V of Scotland at Stirling and was made the Royal Lieutenant of Western Ross-shire as his father was before him. Hector Munro was also made constable of Strome Castle on behalf of the MacDonnells of Glengarry by King James V. Previously Ewen Cameron had been constable of Strome Castle for the MacDonalds of Lochalsh. Hector Munro married Kathrine, daughter of the chief of the MacKenzies of Kintail. Ewen Cameron was executed in 1547.

References

External links

* [http://www.clan-cameron.org/battles/1505.html http://www.clan-cameron.org/battles/1505.html]