BattlefieldsAlasdair MacGregor Capture and Execution 1604
English Civil War

Alasdair MacGregor Capture and Execution 1604

1604
Perth and Kinross, Scotland
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Perth and Kinross, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Alasdair MacGregor
Forces
Alasdair MacGregor and clansmen
VS
Victor
Scottish Government
Forces
Government
Outcome
MacGregor and eleven clansmen hanged at Edinburgh; MacGregor leadership destroyed; clan driven underground
The Battle

History & Significance

Alasdair MacGregor of Glenstrae — leader of the Glenfruin massacre — was captured through treachery after taking refuge in England at the invitation of the Laird of Auchinbreck. He was brought back to Scotland in violation of a safe conduct and hanged at Edinburgh's Mercat Cross with eleven of his leading men. MacGregor reportedly went to the gallows in his shirt, having been denied the dignity of proper dress. His execution ended the clan leadership but drove remaining MacGregors into permanent fugitive status. The clan would not be formally rehabilitated until 1775.

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