BattlefieldsMacIan of Ardnamurchan destruction 1520
Tudor

MacIan of Ardnamurchan destruction 1520

1520
Argyllshire, Scotland
Also known as: Elimination of the MacIans 1520 · MacDonald vengeance on MacIan clan
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Argyllshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
MacIan clan
Forces
MacIan clan c.50–100.
VS
Victor
MacDonalds of Islay (Dunnyveg)
Forces
MacDonalds of Islay c.100–200
Outcome
MacIan chief and most of his clan killed; Ardnamurchan absorbed
The Battle

History & Significance

The MacIans of Ardnamurchan, who had betrayed the Lordship of the Isles to the government and been rewarded with lands, were finally destroyed by the MacDonalds of Dunnyveg in a series of calculated raids. The chief was killed and the clan effectively ceased to exist as an independent entity. Ardnamurchan was absorbed into the MacDonald sphere. It was one of the most complete eliminations of a clan in Scottish history.

Casualties & Losses

MacIan chief killed; clan destroyed as a unit

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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