Macdonell Of Keppoch

[Macman]

That I think would be correct (somebody please correct me if I'm wrong).

After all in the later, though you had clans on both sides, it was essentially a rebellion/rebellions against the ruling government & it's forces, not mere clan -vs- clan only.

I've seen the Battle of Mulroy represented many times as the last clan vs. clan battle, correctly, I think. In fact, there were government troops supporting the Mackintoshes, as the action against the MacDonalds of Keppoch had official support. It didn't help the Mackintoshes, however.

[Jock Scot]

I've seen the Battle of Mulroy represented many times as the last clan vs. clan battle, correctly, I think. In fact, there were government troops supporting the Mackintoshes, as the action against the MacDonalds of Keppoch had official support. It didn't help the Mackintoshes, however.

As I understand it one of the reasons the MacKintoshes lost the battle was that the government troops did not arrive in time!So clan v clan is accurate.

[BoldHighlander]

Hello everyone,
I was skimming through my copy of Peter Simpson's "The Independent Companies 1603 - 1760" and found the following regarding the Battle of Mulroy:

"Meantime, Captain Kenneth Mackenzie was called upon to help the Mackintoshes and their followers the Mac Gillivrays who were given a commission of fire and sword by the Privy Council against Macdonnell of Keppoch, This commission allowed:

'That whatever slaughter, mutilation, blood, fire-raising or other violence' may be done by the persons holding the letters, shall be held 'laudable, good and warrantable service to his Majesty and Government.'

This was to be the last great clan battle, at Mulroy on 4th August 1688, where the Macdonnells were victorious and where Suddie and many of his men had been outnumbered by Keppoch and two of his neighbouring clans, the Camerons of Glen Nevis and the Macmartins of Letterfinlay.
They launched a fierce Highland charge with swords and Lochaber axes -- Suddie was mortally wounded in the affray.*
A soldier in Suddie's company, Donald McBane subsequently wrote:

'The Macdonalds (Macdonells) came down the hill upon us, without either shoe, stocking or bonnet on their heads: they gave a shout and then fire began on both sides and continued a hot dispute for an hour. Then they broke in upon us with sword and target, and Lochaber axes which obliged us to give way."

This was a very matter-of-fact description of what must have been a particularly bloody encounter. In the same vein, Keppoch later described the battle of Mulroy 'the unhappie accident I had with McKintoshe at Millroy.'

*Kenneth Mackenzie of Suddie was a descendant of Kenneth of Battle (blar-na-pairc) and had served in Dumbarton's regiment in France and was described as having 'the character of a fine gentleman and brave officer.'
He was a professional soldier of the highest calibre."