BattlefieldsMackay relief march toward Blair Castle 1689
Jacobite Risings

Mackay relief march toward Blair Castle 1689

1689
Perthshire, Scotland
Era
Jacobite Risings
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Perthshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Mackay
Forces
Jacobite: Dundee c.2,500 Highland clansmen on heights
VS
Victor
Dundee
Forces
Government: Mackay c.4,000 regulars
Outcome
Mackay forces north through Killiecrankie pass despite Jacobite screen; defeats himself by choosing wrong ground above pass
The Battle

History & Significance

General Mackay marched north with a government army of approximately 4,000 men in July 1689 with the dual objectives of relieving Blair Castle from its Jacobite garrison and defeating Dundee's Highland army. His march up the Tummel and Garry valleys was screened by his cavalry but Jacobite scouts watched every move. Mackay knew a battle was inevitable — he had a well-equipped regular army but he respected the Highland charge. He attempted to reconnoitre the Pass of Killiecrankie before forcing it but was denied adequate intelligence by Dundee's screening parties. He marched his army into the pass without knowing Dundee was waiting with the full Highland clan army on the heights above.

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