Lachlan Mor's Wife and Her Gruesome Act of Revenge

The Highlands of Scotland have always been associated with fierce warriors, clan battles, and larger-than-life figures. Among the most fearsome and influential was Lachlan Mor MacLean, the Chief of the Clan MacLean of Duart. Known for his ruthless leadership, Lachlan Mor’s power extended beyond his own clan, making him one of the most significant figures in Highland history. However, the tale of his tragic end, particularly the role played by his wife in its aftermath, reveals much about the role of women in Highland society during times of war.

Though Highland warfare was typically a male-dominated arena, women were by no means passive observers. They often played pivotal roles behind the scenes, influencing events in ways that were sometimes unseen but profoundly impactful. The story of Lachlan Mor’s wife (or, in some versions, his foster mother) and her brutal act of vengeance highlights the complexity of women's roles in Highland conflicts—both as caretakers and as enforcers of justice or retribution.

The Death of Lachlan Mor MacLean

Lachlan Mor MacLean was a towering figure, both physically and metaphorically, in the Highlands. As the Chief of the MacLeans of Duart, he wielded considerable power over his clan and sought to extend his influence even further, particularly over the Isle of Islay, which was under the control of the rival Clan MacDonald. MacLean’s ambitions, however, would ultimately lead to his downfall.

In the 1590s, Lachlan Mor set out on a dangerous expedition to Islay, intending to challenge the MacDonalds and expand his dominion. However, upon landing at Traigh Ghrunnard beach, Lachlan and his warriors were met with fierce resistance from the MacDonalds, who had anticipated their arrival. In a dramatic battle, Lachlan Mor was fatally wounded by an arrow shot by a small but deadly figure known as the Dubh Sith (Black Elf), a dwarf who had offered his services to both clans but was ultimately accepted by the MacDonalds.

As Lachlan Mor lay dying on the battlefield, the fate of his men was sealed. The surviving MacLeans sought refuge in a nearby church, hoping for sanctuary. In a move typical of the brutal nature of Highland warfare, the MacDonalds set fire to the church, killing those inside and effectively wiping out the MacLean force.

The Funeral Procession: Tragedy on the Journey to Kilchoman

After the death of Lachlan Mor, his body was transported to the Kilchoman burying ground for interment. It is during this funeral procession that one of the most infamous episodes of the story took place. There are varying accounts of who accompanied the body—some say it was his wife, while others suggest it was his foster-mother, a figure of great importance in Highland culture. Foster relationships in the Highlands were deeply significant, often as binding as blood ties, which makes this story all the more poignant.

As the body of the once-mighty Lachlan Mor was carried on a sledge—a rudimentary transport method of the time, as wheeled vehicles were not yet in common use—the motion caused his head to nod with every jolt of the journey. This unintentional but macabre movement caught the attention of a boy who was accompanying the mourners. The boy, perhaps nervous or simply overwhelmed by the grim atmosphere, laughed at the sight.

What happened next is a chilling example of the ferocity that could be found even in moments of deep grief. Infuriated by what she perceived as disrespectful laughter in the presence of her husband’s body, Lachlan Mor’s wife (or foster-mother) acted swiftly and brutally. In a shocking display of vengeance, she drew her sword and killed the boy on the spot. The site of this grisly act, located in Benviger, is still pointed out by locals to this day, serving as a stark reminder of the severity of Highland justice and the fierce loyalty that clan members, especially women, held toward their fallen leaders.

The Role of Highland Women in War and Revenge

This story, while dramatic and extreme, is not entirely unusual in the context of Highland warfare. While men were the primary warriors, women were far from powerless. They were the keepers of the home, the protectors of clan honor, and in some cases, the executors of justice. The role of Lachlan Mor’s wife in this story underscores the complex and often overlooked position of women in Highland society.

Women in Highland clans were expected to be strong, resourceful, and fiercely loyal to their families and clans. They raised warriors, managed estates in their husbands’ absences, and sometimes took on active roles in clan disputes. In the case of Lachlan Mor’s wife, her act of killing the boy was likely seen as a necessary upholding of clan dignity, an immediate response to an insult, no matter how unintentional. The fact that this story has survived in oral tradition for centuries highlights how deeply such actions resonated with the Highland people.

Legacy of Lachlan Mor and His Wife’s Revenge

The legacy of Lachlan Mor MacLean, Chief of Duart, is one of power, ambition, and, ultimately, tragedy. His death at the hands of a small but cunning figure like the Dubh Sith, and the subsequent destruction of his clan’s warriors, would have sent shockwaves through the Highlands. Yet, it is the aftermath—the grim funeral procession and the swift act of vengeance by his wife—that has etched itself so deeply into Highland lore.

In many ways, this story symbolizes the volatile mix of loyalty, pride, and brutality that characterized Highland clan society. Lachlan Mor’s wife (or foster-mother) acted as the ultimate guardian of his honor, unwilling to tolerate even the smallest slight during such a significant moment. In killing the boy, she may have been enacting a form of justice that, while harsh by modern standards, would have been understood as necessary in her time.

The site of both Lachlan Mor’s burial and the boy’s murder remains known to the people of Kilchoman and Benviger, even though no headstone marks the grave of the great Chief. It is as though his final resting place, like the story itself, has become part of the landscape—a hidden but enduring reminder of the power and fury of the Highland clans, and the women who, in their own ways, played a vital role in these dramatic histories.

Adapted From: Campbell, J. G. (1895). Waifs and strays of Celtic tradition: Argyllshire series—No. V. Clan traditions and popular tales of the Western Highlands and Islands (J. Wallace & D. Mac Isaac, Eds.). David Nutt.