BattlefieldsBattle of Allt nan Carnan
Tudor

Battle of Allt nan Carnan

1517
Sutherland, Scotland
Also known as: Sutherland-Mackay battle 1517
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Sutherland, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
MacKays of Strathnaver
Forces
MacKays c.400-800
VS
Victor
Sutherland (Gordon)
Forces
Sutherland-Gordon c.600-1200
Outcome
Sutherland victory; MacKay power in eastern Sutherland curtailed
The Battle

History & Significance

The Gordon Earls of Sutherland and the MacKays of Strathnaver were in perpetual conflict throughout the sixteenth century. This engagement near Loch Naver was part of the Gordons' long effort to assert feudal overlordship over the MacKays — a process that was never fully completed until the late seventeenth century.

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