Harlaw, Battle of

The Battle of Harlaw is a Scottish clan battle fought on 24 July 1411 just north of Inverurie in Aberdeenshire.

It is one of a series of battles fought during the Middle Ages between the barons of northeast Scotland against those from the west coast.The battle is fought to resolve competing claims to the Earldom of Ross, a large region of northern Scotland.

Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, Regent of Scotland, has taken control of the earldom as guardian of his niece Euphemia Leslie.

This claim is contested by Donald, Lord of the Isles, who had married Euphemia's aunt Mariota.

Donald invades Ross with the intention of seizing the earldom by force.First he defeats a large force of Mackays at the Battle of Dingwall.

He captures Dingwall Castle and then advances on Aberdeen with 10,000 clansmen.

Near Inverurie he is met by 1,000–2,000 of the local gentry, many in armor, hastily assembled by the Earl of Mar.

After a day of fierce fighting there is no clear victor; Donald had lost 900 men before retreating back to the Western Isles, and Mar had lost 500.

The latter can claim a strategic victory in that Aberdeen has been saved, and within a year Albany has recaptured Ross and forced Donald to surrender.

However Mariota is later awarded the earldom of Ross in 1424 and the Lordship of the Isles will keep the title for much of the 15th century.The ferocity of the battle gave it the nickname "Red Harlaw".

It is commemorated by a 40 foot (12 m) high memorial on the battlefield near the town of Inverurie, supposedly by the church at Chapel of Garioch, and by ballads and music.

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