BattlefieldsBattle of Carbisdale
English Civil War

Battle of Carbisdale

1650
Scotland
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Scotland
Status
Registered · HES BTL19
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scottish Royalists
Forces
Scottish Royalists: * 50 cavalry * 1,000 infantry (from Orkney) * 500 mercenaries (Swedish, German and Danish)
VS
Victor
Covenanters
Forces
Covenanters: * 300 men (five troops of cavalry and a group of musketeers) * 400 clansmen (from Clan Munro and Clan Ross)
Outcome
Covenanter victory
The Battle

History & Significance

The Battle of Carbisdale (also known as Invercarron) took place close to the village of Culrain, Sutherland, Scotland on 27 April 1650 and was part of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It was fought by the Royalist leader James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, against the Scottish Government of the time, dominated by Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll and a grouping of radical Covenanters, known as the Kirk Party. The Covenanters decisively defeated the Royalists.

Confirmed battlefield location
Casualties & Losses

Covenanters: Two men wounded and one drowned, "low" | Scottish Royalists: * 450+ killed + 200 drowned * 400 plus captured

Registered Historic Battlefield

This battlefield is listed on the Register of Historic Battlefields — a national designation identifying Britain's most significant battle sites for protection and further research. Reference: HES BTL19.

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