Battle of Logiebride

Battle of Logiebride
Part of the Scottish clan wars
The river Conon, near to the village of Conon Bridge where the battle took place
Date 1597 Location Conon Bridge, Rosshire, Scotland Result Results vary from different sources
Belligerents
Bains of Tulloch Clan Munro	Clan MacLeod of Raasay Clan Mackenzie
Commanders and leaders
John Bain	John "Macgillichallum" MacLeod
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
According to Sir Robert Gordon (1625): 3 killed According to Alexander Mackenzie (1894): 50 killed According to Alan Mackenzie (2006): 3 killed	According to Sir Robert Gordon (1625): 5 killed According to Alexander Mackenzie (1894): 2 killed According to Alan Mackenzie (2006): 5 killed

The Battle of Logiebride or Logie-Riach, also known as a Tumult in Ross was more of a small skirmish rather than an actual battle. The disturbance is said to have taken place on 4 February 1597 at the Logie Candlemas market near Conan House (a mile south-west of Conon Bridge) between men of the Clan Mackenzie against men of the Clan Munro and the Bain family of Tulloch Castle.

John MacLeod, brother, of the chief of the Clan MacLeod of Raasay was on the rampage in Easter Ross, with a small party of men. He was confronted by John Bain, brother of the chief of the Clan Bain of Tulloch Castle. In the ensuing battle men from the Clan Munro sided with Bain while men from the Clan Mackenzie sided with MacLeod.

The earliest account of the Battle of Logiebride was that by Sir Robert Gordon (1580–1656) who was living at the time of the battle, in his book the History of the Earldom of Sutherland written in about 1625. His account is repeated in the book Conflicts of the Clans which was published by the Foulis press in 1764.

Gordon states that in 1597 an "accident" happened in Ross at a fair in Lagavraid which almost put all the neighboring counties of Ross into combustion. He states that the quarrel was between John Macgillichallum brother to the (Laird of Raasay) and Alexander Bain (brother of Duncan Bain of Tulloch). Gordon goes on to state that the Munros assisted Bain and the Mackenzies assisted John Macgillichallum, who was killed along with John Mac-Murdo Mac-William, and three others of the Clan MacKenzie. Alexander Bain escaped but on his side John Munro of Culcraggie, with his brother, Hutcheon Munro, and John Munro Robertson were killed. The Munros and Mackenzies then prepared to invade each other but were reconciled by friends and neighbors.

The Wardlaw manuscript was written in about 1674 by James Fraser. Fraser states that the battle took place on the 4 February 1597 at the Candlemas fair called Bridfaire (St Bridget's Fair) in a town called Lagy Vrud (Logy, Conan), in Ross upon the river of Connin. The quarrel began between John Mackillchallim, a Mackleud (MacLeod), brother to the Laird of Rasey and another gentleman, John Bain, brother of Duncan Bain, Baron of Tulloch, near Dingwall. Fraser states that John Mackillchallum was a vile, flgitious, proflagat fellow, and ravaging robber, picking quarrells with all men, he frequented markets for the purpose of taking advantage of poor chapmen and merchants, pillaging and robbing their shops without resistance. He was also a relation of the Mackenzies and was patronized by them. At this fair he had 6 or 7 bold followers with him. John Bain, a gallant courageous gentlemen, saw him abuse a merchants wife and take away his goods by violence. Bain challenged him, commanding him to give it back or he would make him do it. After verba verbera from words to swords, John Bain draws upon him and gave him two or three deadly wounds. Three Mackenzies were also killed. Upon John Bain's side were killed John Monro of Cularge, and Hugh, his brother and John Monro Robertson. The chase run down the firth towards the mill of Arkaig and the wood of Milchaich, where many were wounded and some slain. John Bain with his Fraser amour bearer withdrew and deliberately escaped to Lovat. The next morning Fraser, Lord Lovat dispatched James Fraser of Phopachy to King James, being then at Falkland, with an account of what had happened. The King sent John Bain full remission and personal protection and a warrand and power to charge the Laird Mackenzie of Kintail with intercommoning, and all the accomplices of John Mackilchallim.

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