Battle of Blar Na Pairce

Battle of Blar na Pairce
Part of Rebellion of Dòmhnall Dubh
Clan crests of Clan Mackenzie (left) and Clan Donald (right)
Date Between 1485 and 1491 Location Blar na Pairce, Strathpeffer, Scotland grid reference NH47325690 [1] Coordinates: 57°34′36″N 4°33′13″W / 57.57667°N 4.55361°W Result Mackenzie victory
Belligerents
Loyal to James IV of Scotland: Clan Mackenzie, Clan Brodie	Loyal to Domhnall Dubh: Clan Donald
Commanders and leaders
Kenneth Mackenzie	Gillespick MacDonald
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The Battle of Blar na Pairce (Scottish Gaelic: Blàr na Pàirce "Battle of the Park") was a Scottish clan battle that took place just outside Strathpeffer some time between 1485 and 1491.^[1] It was fought between men of the Clan Donald or MacDonald and the Clan Mackenzie (led by Kenneth Mackenzie).^[2]

The chief of Clan Donald, Lord of the Isles, had resigned the title of Earl of Ross to the king in 1477. After this the province of Ross was constantly invaded by the MacDonald islanders. As a result, a battle was fought between the Clan Donald islanders, led by Gillespick MacDonald against the Clan MacKenzie. The MacDonald islanders were defeated with many men being drowned in the River Conon.^[3]

References

1. "Site Record for Blar Na Pairce". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.
2. John L. Roberts, Feuds, Forays and Rebellions: History of the Highland Clans 1475-1625 (Edinburgh University Press, 1999), at page 122
3. 'Conflicts of the Clans' published in 1764 by the Foulis Press from a manuscript wrote in the reign of King James VI.

Bibliography

• Dagg, C (2007b) 'Blar na Pairce, Highland (Contin parish), desk-based assessment and metal detecting survey', Discovery Excav Scot, vol.8 Cathedral Communications Limited, Wiltshire, England. 109
• Mackenzie, Alexander (1894). History of the Mackenzies, with genealogies of the principal families of the name. Inverness: A. & W. Mackenzie.