Battle of Alltachuilain The Battle of Alltachuilain ( or Ald - Quhillin ) was a Scottish clan battle that took place in 1518 in the parish of Loth , county of Sutherland , Scotland . It was fought between factions of the Clan Sutherland in a dispute over the Earldom of Sutherland . Background . John de Moravia , 9th Earl of Sutherland ( also known as John Sutherland ) , chief of Clan Sutherland died in 1514 leaving no heir . He was succeeded by his younger sister Elizabeth de Moravia , 10th Countess of Sutherland . Elizabeth married Adam Gordon who was a younger son of George Gordon , 2nd Earl of Huntly , chief of the powerful Clan Gordon . Elizabeth and Adam Gordon ’ s son , Alexander Gordon , Master of Sutherland , would become the legal heir to the Earldom of Sutherland , however this was disputed by others . Firstly John Mackay of Strathnaver , chief of the Clan Mackay rose up in opposition to the Gordons who had taken power in Sutherland . Mackay fought against the forces of Elizabeth de Moravia and Adam Gordon at the Battle of Torran Dubh in 1517 where Mackay was defeated . The Sutherland force had been led by Elizabeth ’ s younger half - brother Alexander Sutherland , who she had persuaded to resist Mackay . However shortly afterwards Alexander Sutherland married a sister of John Mackay , and according to one account Mackay tampered with Alexander Sutherland to renew his claim to the Earldom . Alexander Sutherland then claimed the Earldom of Sutherland for himself as the rightful heir . Sieges of Dunrobin Castle . According to the Gordon account , Adam Gordon offered Alexander Sutherland reasonable terms and conditions which he refused . The clans and tribes of Sutherland then broke into factions and Alexander Sutherland had won great favour amongst them , having both the support of the Earl of Caithness and John Mackay , whose sister he had recently married . While Adam Gordon was in Strathbogie ( now known as Huntly , home of his family the Gordons of Huntly ) Alexander Sutherland , with a great company of men , laid siege to Dunrobin Castle the principal seat of the Earls and Countesses of Sutherland , which he eventually succeeded in taking before Adam Gordon had returned . Adam Gordon then sent a force of his own under Alexander Leslie of Kinninuvy and John Moray of Aberscors to besiege Alexander Sutherland in Dunrobin Castle . The castle surrendered , however by this time Alexander Sutherland had retired into Strathnaver , the land of his brother - in - law John Mackay . Battle . According to the Gordon account Alexander Sutherland , with a new supply of men invaded Sutherland and killed some of his own Sutherland kinsmen because they supported Adam Gordon . Alexander Sutherland then traveled further into the parishes of Clyne and Loth where , according to the Gordon account he molested the country . Adam Gordon then sent Alexander Leslie and John Moray to “ hold the bastard skirmishing ” until he came with a larger force . They met with Alexander Sutherland at a place called Alltachuilain or Ald - Quhillin , where there ensued a " hote skirmish " . Alexander Sutherland was taken prisoner and all of his men were either slain or chased . He was then executed by Alexander Leslie at the very place where they fought , and his head placed on a spear on the top of Dunrobin Castle . Aftermath . In the aftermath of the Battle of Alltachuilain William Sutherland , 5th of Duffus would also claim the Earldom of Sutherland , however he was killed by the Bishop of Caithness in 1529 . Adam Gordon and Elizabeth de Moravia ’ s son , Alexander Gordon became known as the " Master of Sutherland " , and his son succeeded as John Gordon , 11th Earl of Sutherland . Of Alexander Sutherland who was executed , his place of residence was known as " Kilphedder . " His descendants occupied the lands for generations on payment of a nominal rent to the Earls of Sutherland . The ruins at Kilphedder now are more immediately connected with one of his descendants : William Sutherland of Kilphedder was a man of gigantic strength and stature who repaired and extended the residence of his ancestors .