Battle of Drumnacoub

Battle of Drumnacoub
Part of Clan Mackay succession dispute
Looking south across Carn Fada towards Ben Loyal (left) and Ben Hope (right)
Date c. 1427 to 1433 Location Southern end of Kyle of Tongue, Sutherland grid reference NC569519 Coordinates: 58°26′N 4°27′W / 58.433°N 4.450°W / 58.433; -4.450 Result Pyrrhic victory for John Mackay who was loyal to chief Angus Du Mackay of Strathnaver
Belligerents
Clan Mackay loyal to Angus Du Mackay, 7th of Strathnaver	Clan Sutherland
Commanders and leaders
John Mackay, I of Aberach	Morgan Nielson Macaky Niel Nielson Mackay Angus Murray (of Aberscross)
Strength
Unknown	1500 men
Casualties and losses
Angus Mackay "very few alive"	Morgan & Niel both killed "very few alive"

The Battle of Drumnacoub (Battle of Druim na coub, Drum-ne-coub) was a Scottish clan battle involving factions of the Clan Mackay fought in the far northwest of Scotland, some time between 1427 and 1433. It took place on a hill called Carn Fada at the southern end of the Kyle of Tongue, between Ben Loyal and the village of Tongue. It was fought between members of the Clan Mackay and men of the Clan Sutherland.

On one side was the old chief, Angus Du (Dow) Mackay and his second son John Aberach Mackay. On the other side were Angus's cousins Morgan Neilson Mackay and Niel Neilson Mackay who were backed by troops from the Clan Sutherland, led by Angus Murray. Niel Nielson Mackay and Morgan Nielson Mackay were attempting to take the Mackay lands from their cousin, chief Angus Du Mackay.

Niel Vasse Mackay, the eldest son of chief Angus Du Mackay had been imprisoned at the Bass Rock by King James I of Scotland in 1427, after the Battle of Harpsdale.

Thomas Neilson Mackay, brother of Neil Neilson Mackay and Morgan Neilson Mackay had killed the Laird of Freswick by the name of Mowat. He had pursued and killed Mowat with all his company, near the town of Tain in Ross, within the chapel of St Duffus, which he also burnt to the ground. Mowat had retired himself to the chapel to find sanctuary. The King soon after denounced Thomas Neilson Mackay to be a rebel and promised his lands and possessions for a reward to any that would kill or apprehend him. Thomas was captured by Angus Murray of the Clan Sutherland with the help of Thomas's own brothers Morgan Neilson Mackay and Niel Neilson Mackay. After being handed over to the king, Thomas was executed at Inverness.

After these events the Mackays were divided; the elderly chief Angus-Du Mackay and his loyal second son John Mackay were at odds with Angus's cousins Morgan Neilson Mackay and Niel Neilson Mackay, who had betrayed their own brother Thomas, and the Earl of Sutherland and Angus Murray offered Niel and Morgan Mackay rewards for their services, including their daughters in marriage.

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Wikipedia