BattlefieldsThorstein the Red Scottish Campaign and Death c.875
Early Medieval

Thorstein the Red Scottish Campaign and Death c.875

875
Caithness, Scotland
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Caithness, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Scottish northern defenders
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Norse army under Thorstein the Red
Outcome
Norse temporarily dominant in northern Scotland; Thorstein killed by Scots
The Battle

History & Significance

Norse leader Thorstein the Red (son of Olaf the White of Dublin) campaigned extensively in Scotland conquering Caithness, Sutherland, Ross and Moray; reached far into northern Scotland before being killed — possibly by treachery according to the sagas

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