Battle of Drumchatt

Battle of Drumchatt (1497)
Part of Rebellion of Domhnall Dubh
Knockfarrel hill also known as the cat's back at Drumchatt where the clan battles are said to have taken place
Date 1497 Location SE of Strathpeffer, Scotland 57°35′N 4°31′W / 57.583°N 4.517°W / 57.583; -4.517Coordinates: 57°35′N 4°31′W / 57.583°N 4.517°W / 57.583; -4.517 grid reference NH4957 Result Mackenzie & Munro victory
Belligerents
Clan Mackenzie Clan Munro (Loyal to James IV of Scotland)	Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh (Loyal to Domhnall Dubh)
Commanders and leaders
Hector Roy Mackenzie of Gairloch	Alexander MacDonald of Lochalsh
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

'Mythical' Battle of Drumchatt (1501)
Part of Clan Munro and Clan Mackenzie feud
Knockfarrel hill also known as the cat's back at Drumchatt where the clan battles are said to have taken place
Date 1501 Location SE of Strathpeffer, Scotland Result Mackenzies "claimed" victory
Belligerents
Clan Mackenzie	Clan Munro
Commanders and leaders
Hector Roy Mackenzie of Gairloch	William Munro, 12th Baron of Foulis
Strength
140	700 or 900
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The Battle of Drumchatt was a Scottish clan battle that took place in 1497. The Clan Mackenzie and possibly the Clan Munro defeated the Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh at Drumchatt (Druimchat) or "the Cat's Back", a ridge to the southeast of Strathpeffer.

In 1493, the powerful chief of the Clan Donald lost his right to the title of Lord of the Isles when it was revoked by King James IV of Scotland. As a result, many of the western and other northern clans, particularly the Clan MacLeod of Harris and Dunvegan, felt that they no longer had to pledge allegiance to the MacDonalds. Although their relatives, the Clan MacLeod of Lewis supported the rebellion of Domhnall Dubh, chief of Clan Donald.

In 1495, King James assembled an army at Glasgow. Then, on May 18, many of the highland chiefs made their submissions to him, including those of the Clan Mackenzie and Clan Munro. This may explain the unusual alliance between the Munros and Mackenzies who were rival clans. However, while the presence of the Clan Munro at the Battle of Drumchatt in 1497 is mentioned by early 19th-century historian Donald Gregory, according to late 19th-century historian Alexander Mackenzie, the Munros are not mentioned as being present in the earliest account which was written by Sir Robert Gordon in the early 17th century.

The Battle of Drumchatt of 1497 is recorded in several recognised historical documents including the MacDonald MS history and also in several published books, including Sir Robert Gordon's A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland (1625) and Donald Gregory's History of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland (1835). The battle is also recorded by historian William Anderson in his book The Scottish Nation: Or, The Surnames, Families, Literature, Honours, and Geographical History of the People of Scotland.

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