Clan MacDonald, Clan MacLeod, and the One-Eyed Woman's Humiliation
The history of Scotland is replete with tales of clan rivalries, heroic battles, and enduring feuds. Among these tales, the Battle of Coire na Creiche, also known as the Battle of Benquhillan, stands out as a poignant chapter in Scottish history. This post delves deep into the events surrounding this battle, exploring its origins, the fierce clashes between Clan MacLeod of Dunvegan and Clan MacDonald of Sleat, and the ultimate reconciliation that followed. Join us on a journey to the Isle of Skye in 1601, where honor, vengeance, and redemption collided in a dramatic showdown.
The Spark: A One-Eyed Woman's Insult
To understand the Battle of Coire na Creiche, we must first delve into the events that set the stage for this bitter conflict. The feud between Clan MacLeod and Clan MacDonald began with a personal insult that would have far-reaching consequences.
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In 1600, Donald Gorm Mòr MacDonald, a prominent member of Clan MacDonald of Sleat, was in a handfast arrangement with Margaret MacLeod, a woman from Clan MacLeod of Dunvegan, whom, for one reason or another was missing an eye. Donald had hoped for an heir, but Margaret had not borne him a child. Frustrated and angered by this, Donald sent Margaret MacLeod back to her clan in a manner that would be etched in history. She was tied to a one-eyed horse, led by a one-eyed servant, and followed by a one-eyed mongrel dog.
This act of humiliation was not only a personal insult to Margaret but also a grave offense to Clan MacLeod. It was a spark that would ignite a feud that would escalate into a series of violent clashes, ultimately leading to the Battle of Coire na Creiche.
Prelude to Battle: Raids and Revenge
The conflict between Clan MacLeod and Clan MacDonald did not remain limited to insults and humiliation. It soon escalated into violence, as both clans sought revenge for perceived slights and grievances.
The first significant clash occurred when Donald Glas MacLeod, a member of Clan MacLeod, led a raid on North Uist. The raid was a response to the insult suffered by Margaret MacLeod, and it targeted the goods that the locals had stored for safety in the Trinity Temple at Carinish. However, this incursion did not go as planned.
As Donald Glas MacLeod and his men attempted to seize the stored goods, they were ambushed by a group of MacDonalds led by Donald MacIain ‘ic Sheumais. The resulting battle, known as the Battle of Carinish, was fierce and bloody. Tragically, only two MacLeod warriors survived this initial clash, marking a devastating blow to Clan MacLeod.
The Feud Intensifies: An All-Out Invasion
As the feud between the two clans continued to escalate, it brought immense suffering to the people caught in the crossfire. Clan MacDonald, led by Donald Gorm Mòr MacDonald, decided to put an end to the feud with a decisive blow.
Taking advantage of the absence of Rory MacLeod, the chief of Clan MacLeod, who was seeking assistance from Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll, Donald Gorm Mòr MacDonald launched an all-out invasion of northern Skye. The aim was to drive cattle, which had been seized in the raid, to a traditional refuge for raiders known as Coire na Creiche.
Coire na Creiche, often referred to as the "hollow of the spoil," was a remote location nestled in the Cuillin hills. It had a reputation for serving as a refuge where raiders could safely hide their ill-gotten gains. Little did Donald Gorm Mòr MacDonald know that this would be the stage for the climactic Battle of Coire na Creiche.
The Battle of Coire na Creiche: A Night of Bloodshed
In the remote wilderness of Coire na Creiche, the forces of Clan MacLeod, led by Alasdair MacLeod, finally caught up with the invading MacDonalds. The battle unfolded late in the day and extended well into the night. It was a fierce and brutal clash that would be remembered for generations.
The Battle of Coire na Creiche was marked by its intensity and the high number of casualties on both sides. The MacLeod forces, under Alasdair MacLeod, fought valiantly to defend their homeland, while the MacDonald invaders, driven by their determination to end the feud, were equally fierce in battle.
Despite the ferocity of the battle, the MacDonalds gained the upper hand, ultimately capturing Alasdair MacLeod and 30 of his kinsmen. This significant victory marked a turning point in the conflict, but it was not the end of the story.
Intervention and Reconciliation: The End of Feud
With the Battle of Coire na Creiche and the capture of Alasdair MacLeod, the feud between Clan MacLeod and Clan MacDonald had reached a critical juncture. The Privy Council decided to intervene and put an end to the violence that had plagued the Highlands.
The Privy Council issued orders to Donald Gorm Mòr MacDonald, demanding that he surrender himself to George Gordon, 1st Marquess of Huntly. Similarly, Rory MacLeod, the chief of Clan MacLeod, was ordered to surrender to the Earl of Argyll. These orders signaled the intervention of the central authorities to quell the feud.
Donald Gorm Mòr MacDonald complied with the orders and agreed to release his prisoners. The culmination of this intervention was celebrated with three weeks of feasting and festivities at Dunvegan Castle, the ancestral home of Clan MacLeod. It marked a symbolic end to the feud that had brought so much suffering and bloodshed to the Highlands.
Legacy and Significance
The Battle of Coire na Creiche holds a unique place in Scottish history as the final chapter in one of the bloodiest feuds between two prominent Highland clans. Its significance extends beyond the battle itself and encompasses the broader context of clan history in Scotland.
The battle at Coire na Creiche was not only a turning point in the feud between Clan MacLeod and Clan MacDonald but also the last major clan battle fought on the Isle of Skye. The island had witnessed numerous such conflicts throughout its history, making this battle a poignant marker of the end of an era.
The enduring impact of the Battle of Coire na Creiche is reflected in the realm of Scottish folklore. Glasgow folk singer Matt McGinn composed a comic folk song titled "The One-Eyed Woman," which immortalized the events of the feud and the battle. This song serves as a testament to how history is preserved and passed down through the generations in Scotland.
