Donald, Lord of the Isles, claimed the Earldom of Ross through his wife and marched on Aberdeen with an army of Highland and Island clansmen. He was met at Harlaw near Inverurie by the Earl of Mar's Lowland force. The battle was extraordinarily bloody — fought hand to hand for hours — with massive losses on both sides including many of Aberdeenshire's gentry. Called 'Red Harlaw' for the blood shed. Though inconclusive, Donald retreated and Aberdeen was saved. The battle crystallised the cultural division between Gaelic Highlands and Scots-speaking Lowlands.
Thousands killed on both sides; Mar's gentry devastated
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