The Gunns of Caithness: Mercenaries of the Scottish Highlands

In the rugged and unforgiving landscape of the Scottish Highlands, clans often found themselves in a constant state of conflict, marked by shifting alliances, betrayal, and blood feuds. Among these formidable Highland clans, the Gunns of Caithness stood out not only for their martial prowess but also for their unique role as mercenaries—a position that earned them a reputation akin to the famed Swiss mercenaries of Europe. This role as hired warriors positioned them uniquely in the turbulent dynamics of 15th-century Scotland, where loyalty often lay with the highest bidder rather than ancestral ties.

Origins and Rise to Prominence

The Gunns, originally of Norse-Gaelic descent, carved out a territory for themselves in Caithness, a region in the far north of Scotland known for its harsh conditions and fiercely independent inhabitants. The clan's roots can be traced back to Viking settlers, whose warrior culture and seafaring prowess significantly influenced the identity and values of the Gunns. Over time, they became renowned for their fierce independence, tactical acumen, and, above all, their warrior spirit. These traits made them both respected and feared among their neighbors, setting them apart in a land where strength and cunning often dictated survival.

Unlike other clans bound by rigid loyalty to a single leader or landowner, the Gunns were more pragmatic, understanding the value of adaptability in the ever-changing political landscape of the Highlands. Their services were available to the highest bidder, making them a versatile and unpredictable force. This flexibility allowed them to navigate the complex and often volatile landscape of Highland politics, where alliances could shift as quickly as the weather, and where even the most trusted ally could turn into a foe overnight.

The Conflict at Tannach

One of the most notable episodes involving the Gunns was the Battle of Tannach in 1464, a confrontation that underscored their reputation as formidable hired warriors. This conflict arose from a deep-rooted quarrel between the Gunns and other inhabitants of Caithness, particularly the Keiths, who were vassals of the powerful Earls Marischal, specifically under the command of Keith of Ackergill. The Keiths, known for their cunning and strategic prowess, saw the Gunns as both a threat and an opportunity.

Fearing that they might not have enough strength to defeat the Gunns on their own, the Keiths sought the aid of Angus Mackay, a chief of the Mackay clan—a prominent and numerous group in the Highlands with their own history of martial excellence and feuds. The Mackays, recognizing an opportunity to settle scores, gain favor, and perhaps secure a strategic advantage in their own conflicts, agreed to join the Keiths in their effort against the Gunns. This alliance highlighted the Gunns' formidable reputation; they were considered dangerous enough to require a coalition of two powerful clans to challenge them.

As the two sides prepared for battle, they converged on the Moor of Tannach, near the east coast of Caithness, three miles south of Wick. For the Mackays, this meant a grueling 34-mile march through hostile territory, which not only underscored their commitment to the conflict but also the significance they placed on this alliance and the battle's outcome. This gathering of forces on the Moor of Tannach highlighted the Gunns' fearsome reputation: they were a clan formidable enough to warrant such an extensive coalition against them, demonstrating their tactical prowess and the fear they instilled in their enemies.

Treachery and Bloodshed

In an attempt to avoid a full-scale battle and its inevitable bloodshed—a common occurrence in Highland feuds where losses could cripple clans for generations—a proposal was made for a smaller, representative combat. This was not an unusual practice among the clans, where reducing bloodshed through personal combat was sometimes preferred to save lives and maintain honor. The suggestion was for twelve riders from each side to meet at an ancient ecclesiastical site, St. Ere’s (or St. Tayr’s) Kirk, near Ackergill Tower. This location, with its religious significance, was chosen perhaps to add a moral gravity to the proceedings, a sacred ground where warriors might feel the weight of their actions.

To ensure fairness, it was agreed that the Gunns would bring twelve men, while the Keiths, recognizing the strength of their champion, Muckle Keith, would bring thirteen men, with three specifically to counterbalance him. This arrangement was designed to ensure parity, acknowledging Muckle Keith's formidable prowess in battle, a warrior so strong that he was deemed to require additional opponents.

However, the Keiths resorted to treachery, a tactic not uncommon in Highland warfare where the element of surprise and cunning often determined victory. While the Gunns arrived with the agreed number of men, the Keiths, in a calculated move, arrived with two men mounted on each horse, effectively doubling their fighting force. This deceit caught the Gunns off guard, as they had come prepared for an evenly matched skirmish, not a deceptive onslaught. Despite a valiant effort to defend themselves, the Gunns were overwhelmed by the surprise attack. The Keiths, using their superior numbers, quickly overpowered the Gunns, who, realizing their dire situation, sought refuge in St. Ere’s chapel—a sanctuary that was supposed to be a place of safety and peace.

Yet, in a brutal display of vengeance and disregard for sanctuary, the Keiths showed no mercy; most of the Gunns were slaughtered within the chapel walls. This violation of sanctuary underscored the brutal nature of Highland conflicts, where honor could be swiftly abandoned in the pursuit of victory and retribution. The massacre at St. Ere’s chapel became infamous, a stark reminder of the clan feuds' brutality and the often blurred lines between honor and treachery.

Retribution and Legacy

The defeat at Tannach was a severe blow to the Gunns, both in terms of numbers and morale, but it did not spell the end of their story. Following the massacre, the son of the Gunns' leader, determined to avenge his clan's dishonor and loss, fled Caithness with a contingent of his kin. They sought refuge in Sutherland, a region that had its own history of clan conflicts and could provide a temporary sanctuary for the beleaguered Gunns. There, the clan regrouped, rebuilt their strength, and bided their time, waiting for the right moment to exact their revenge.

In a tale of Highland vengeance that could have been ripped from a Norse saga, the Gunns later intercepted Keith of Ackergill, his son, and twelve followers on a journey from Inverugy to Caithness. This ambush was meticulously planned and executed with the same ruthlessness that had been shown to them at St. Ere’s chapel. In a brutal act of retribution, the Gunns killed them all, avenging the massacre at the chapel and restoring their clan’s honor in the eyes of their Highland peers. This act of revenge was more than just a response to a previous wrong; it was a reassertion of the Gunns' strength and their unwillingness to be subdued or humiliated.

The Mercenary Legacy of the Gunns

The Gunns of Caithness are remembered not only for their role in specific conflicts but also for their broader impact on the history of the Scottish Highlands. As mercenaries, they were a unique force in the Highlands, capable of shifting the balance of power between clans and regional lords. Their willingness to fight for those who could pay underscored a different kind of allegiance—one not bound by blood or fealty but by a more pragmatic, sometimes ruthless, approach to survival and power. This approach allowed the Gunns to maintain a degree of autonomy and influence that many other clans could not.

This pragmatic approach allowed the Gunns to navigate the treacherous political waters of the Highlands, making them both valuable allies and formidable foes. Their legacy as mercenaries highlights a lesser-known aspect of Highland history, where not all battles were fought for land or loyalty, but sometimes simply for the highest bidder. Their story illustrates the complex dynamics of power, loyalty, and survival in a land where shifting allegiances could mean the difference between life and death.

Adapted from: Lawson, J. P. (1852). Scotland: Picturesque; historical; descriptive: Being a series of views of Edinburgh and its environs; the mountains, glens, lochs, sea-coasts; and the palaces, castles, and ecclesiastical buildings of Scotland. Consisting of over seventy chromo-lithographs from original and copyright drawings. John G. Murdoch.