History of the Stewarts | Battles and Historic Events

If you are a Stewart Society Member please login above to view all of the items in this section. If you want general information on how to research your ancestors and some helpful links - please look in background information.
If you have a specific question you can contact our archivist.

« Previous Page

Fought on the 24 July 1411 just north of Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. The Battle of Harlaw is significant as one of the bloodiest medieval battles within Scotland. It is also one of a number of battles between forces serving the Stewart dynasty against the Lords of the Isles, the major power in the north.

The battle was fought to resolve competing claims to the Earldom of Ross. Robert Stewart, duke of Albany, Regent of Scotland, had taken control of the earldom as guardian of his niece Euphemia Leslie. This claim was contested by Donald, Lord of the Isles, who had married Euphemia´s aunt Mariota. Donald invaded Ross with the intention of seizing the earldom by force.

First the Lord of the Isles defeated a large force of Mackays at the Battle of Dingwall. He then captured Dingwall Castle and advanced on Aberdeen with what may have been as many 10,000 men. Near Inverurie he was met by 1,000–2,000 of the local gentry hastily assembled by the earl of Mar.

After a day of fierce fighting there was no clear victor; Donald had lost around 900 men before retreating back to the Western Isles, and Mar had lost 500. The latter could claim a strategic victory in that Aberdeen was saved, and within a year Albany had recaptured Ross and forced Donald to surrender. However Mariota was later awarded the earldom of Ross in 1424 and the Lordship of the Isles would keep the title for much of the 15th century despite subsequent attempts to subdue them.

The ferocity of the battle gave it the nickname "Red or Reid Harlaw"

Reference: The Battle of Harlaw - Historic Scotland