The Battle of Mulroy, known in Scottish Gaelic as Blàr a' Mhaoil Ruaidh, was fought in August 1688 in the Lochaber district of Scotland, arising from a long-running dispute over the Braes of Lochaber between Clan Mackintosh and Clan MacDonald of Keppoch. The chief of Clan Mackintosh held a charter for the lands of Glenroy and Glen Spean dating from the fifteenth century, but the MacDonalds had repeatedly refused to relinquish possession or pay the rents Mackintosh claimed as their superior. After decades of legal wrangling and failed commissions, the Privy Council renewed Mackintosh's commission of fire and sword in 1688, and he marched into Lochaber with around one thousand of his own men supported by a company of government troops under Kenneth Mackenzie of Suddie. Clan Macpherson and Clan Grant, though ordered to assist, did not join the expedition.
On 4 August 1688 the two forces met at Mulroy. According to one account, MacDonald of Keppoch had been reinforced by the Clan MacDonell of Glengarry and the MacDonalds of Glencoe and held a ridge above Mackintosh's advancing force, giving them a decided tactical advantage. As Mackintosh and Mackenzie of Suddie ordered their men uphill, the MacDonalds came down upon them armed with swords, targes, and Lochaber axes, compelling the government force to give way. The battle was described as fierce and bloody; many of Mackintosh's followers were slain, including four of his leaders, and Mackenzie of Suddie was mortally wounded. Great numbers of Mackintosh's men were taken prisoner, and Mackintosh himself was captured.
Before releasing his prisoner, MacDonald of Keppoch compelled Mackintosh to renounce his claims and titles to the disputed lands. One source suggests the release came about because the Macphersons, members of the Clan Chattan confederation of which Mackintosh was chief, suddenly appeared to threaten the victors, leaving MacDonald in no position to face a fresh force. In the aftermath, Cameron of Lochiel was held responsible by the Privy Council for the conduct of his vassals, who had fought alongside the MacDonalds, and was accused as the principal author of the bloodshed. The battlefield has since been inventoried and protected by Historic Scotland under the Scottish Historical Environment Policy of 2009.
As daylight broke on 4 August 1688, Mackintosh's force discovered that the MacDonalds of Keppoch, reinforced by the MacDonalds of Glengarry and Glencoe, had drawn up on a ridge above them at Mulroy; when Mackintosh and Mackenzie of Suddie ordered their men to advance up the hill, the MacDonalds swept down armed with swords, targes, and Lochaber axes, routing the invaders, killing four of Mackintosh's leaders, mortally wounding Mackenzie of Suddie, and taking the chief of Clan Mackintosh himself prisoner.
Many of Mackintosh's followers slain including four leaders; Mackenzie of Suddie mortally wounded; great numbers of Mackintosh's men taken prisoner; Mackintosh himself captured
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