Battle of Drumchatt The Battle of Drumchatt was a Scottish clan battle that took place in 1497 . The Clan Mackenzie and possibly the Clan Munro defeated the Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh at Drumchatt ( Druimchat ) or " the Cat ' s Back " , a ridge to the southeast of Strathpeffer . Background . In 1493 , the powerful chief of the Clan Donald lost his right to the title of Lord of the Isles when it was revoked by King James IV of Scotland . As a result , many of the western and other northern clans , particularly the Clan MacLeod of Harris and Dunvegan , felt that they no longer had to pledge allegiance to the MacDonalds . Although their relatives , the Clan MacLeod of Lewis supported the rebellion of Domhnall Dubh , chief of Clan Donald . In 1495 , King James assembled an army at Glasgow . Then , on May 18 , many of the highland chiefs made their submissions to him , including those of the Clan Mackenzie and Clan Munro . This may explain the unusual alliance between the Munros and Mackenzies who were rival clans . However , while the presence of the Clan Munro at the Battle of Drumchatt in 1497 is mentioned by early 19th - century historian Donald Gregory , according to late 19th - century historian Alexander Mackenzie , the Munros are not mentioned as being present in the earliest account which was written by Sir Robert Gordon in the early 17th century . Historical accounts . The Battle of Drumchatt of 1497 is recorded in several recognised historical documents including the MacDonald MS history and also in several published books , including Sir Robert Gordon ' s " History of Sutherland " ( 1625 ) and Donald Gregory ' s " History of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland " ( 1836 ) . The battle is also recorded by historian William Anderson in his book " The Scottish Nation : Or , The Surnames , Families , Literature , Honours , and Geographical History of the People of Scotland " . Sir Robert Gordon ( 1625 ) . 17th - century historian Sir Robert Gordon ( 1580 - 1650 ) writes of the " skirmish " at Drumchatt , as being fought after the Battle of Blar Na Pairce , which was also fought between the MacDonalds and Mackenzies . Gordon , however does not mention the presence of the Munros , who are mentioned as being on the side of Mackenzies by the 19th - century historian Donald Gregory . Gordon writes the following : Thereafter , some of the islanders and the Clandonald met with Clankeinzie at a place in Ross called Drumchatt , where ensued a sharp skirmish ; bot in the even the ilanders wer put to the worst , and chassed out of Rosse at that tyme . Donald Gregory ( 1836 ) . From Donald Gregory ' s History of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland from AD 1493 to AD 1625 , quoting Gordon . Published in 1836 and reprinted in 1996 : Aftermath of the battle . Donald Gregory also gives an account of the events in the aftermath of the battle , quoting from the MS histories of the Mackenzies and Mackintoshs : After this event , the knight of Lochalsh proceeded southward among the Isles , endeavouring to rouse the Islanders to arms in his behalf , but without success owing , probably to the terror produced by the execution of Sir John of Isla and his sons . Meantime , MacIian of Ardnamurchan , judging this a proper opportunity of doing an acceptable service to the King , surprised Lochalsh in the island of Ornasay , whither he had retreated , and put him to death , In this MacIan was assisted by Alexander , the eldest surviving son of John of Isla , with whom he had contrived to effect a reconciliation , and to whom he had given his daughter in marriage . Sir Alexander of Lochalsh left both sons and daughters , who afterwards fell into the King ' s hands , and of whom we shall have occasion to speak in the sequel . About the same time as the unsuccessful insurrection of which we have just spoken , the chiefs of Mackenzie and MacKintosh made their escape from Edinburgh Castle ; but , on their way to the Highlands , they were treacherously seized at the Torwood , by the Laird of Buchanan . Mackenzie having offered resistance , was slain , and his head , along with MacIntosh , who was taken alive , was presented to the King by Buchanan . The latter was rewarded , and MacIntosh returned to his dungeon , where he remained till after the battle of Flodden A mythical battle at Drumchatt . Another account of a battle at Drumchatt published by Alexander Mackenzie in his books " The History of the Mackenzies " ( 1894 ) and " The History of the Munroes of Fowlis " ( 1898 ) describes a battle that was fought between the Munros and Mackenzies in 1501 . This has perplexed many historians because there is no reference in any contemporary historical documents to such a battle . The historian Alexander Mackenzie was related to Hector Roy Mackenzie of Gairloch who he claims led the Mackenzies at this battle . Mackenzie ' s account states that William Munro , 12th Baron of Foulis led a group of 900 Munros , Dingwalls and MacCullochs who attacked the Mackenzies , laying waste to their lands and taking cattle . However , on their return , they were attacked by just 140 Mackenzies , led by Hector Roy Mackenzie of Gairloch at a place called Drumchatt , where Munro ' s force of 900 was defeated . Alexander Mackenzie ' s story seems to be based on a short verse which was written by Rev . John MacRae ( d . 1704 ) in his " Ardintoul MS History of the Mackenzies " . It reads : " Did eight hundred men defeat and many kill , With his seven score on the face of Pharrel hill " . Knockfarrel is the eastern extension of the Drumchatt ridge . A score equates to 20 people and so seven score would be 140 . A modern historian , C . I Fraser of Reeling also mentions William Munro and the alleged Battle of Drumchatt in 1501 : William Munro of Foulis played a prominent part in public affairs in the north , and was knighted by James IV . In 1501 in some " official " capacity , he led a composite force of Munros , Dingwalls , and MacCullochs to attack Hector Roy Mackenzie of Gairloch at Druim - a - Chait , near Strathpeffer . Mackenzie chronicles have claimed a signal victory . Whatever the truth , the very next year the Munro Chief was commanded to proceed to Lochaber on that hazardous ploy , " the King ' s business " . There , in 1505 , he was slain by Lochiel . Munro - Mackenzie marriage . It is worth noting that in the next generation of chiefs , in the early 16th century , Catherine Mackenzie the daughter of chief Kenneth Mackenzie , 7th of Kintail married chief Hector Munro , 13th Baron of Foulis . This could have been because the two clans had fought together as allies at Drumchatt in 1497 in accordance with the account given by Donald Gregory , although there is no contemporary evidence that the Munros fought alongside the Mackenzies , against the MacDonalds . According to historian Alexander Mackenzie the marriage of the Mackenzie daughter to the Munro chief was an act of reconciliation after the Battle of Drumchatt in 1501 , the only account of which is given by Alexander Mackenzie and of which there is no contemporary historical evidence for .