Battle of Benbigrie

The Battle of Benbigrie took place on Isle of Islay in 1598 between the forces of Hector Og Maclean, 15th Chief and Sir James MacDonald, 9th of Dunnyveg.[1]

Battle of Benbigrie
Part of the Scottish clan battles

The Battle of Benbigrie took place on the Isle of Islay (marked in green)
Date1598
Location
Islay, Scotland
Result Maclean victory
Belligerents
Clan Maclean Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg
Commanders and leaders
Chief Hector Chief James

Background

At the Battle of Traigh Ghruinneart on the Isle of Islay in 1598, Sir James MacDonald, 9th of Dunnyveg led forces against Sir Lachlan Mor MacLean, 14th Chief of Duart. James was wounded in battle but his forces killed MacLean.

Hector Og Maclean, 15th Chief sought revenge for the death of his father and the hostile parties met at a place called Benbigrie, and as neither felt disposed to offer nor to accept terms, the result was an immediate battle. The followers of the chief of MacLean, upon this occasion, considerably outnumbered the MacDonalds; but Sir James, aware that he need hope for no reconciliation with his enraged kinsman, told his followers that in a resolute resistance alone existed any hope of safety to themselves or of protection to their homes. The MacDonalds, goaded to desperation by a knowledge of these facts, fought with uncontrollable fury, and it was not until the heights of Benbigrie were covered with their slain, and their chief carried off the field dangerously wounded, that their assailants succeeded in routing them.[2] Defeated Macdonald then fled to Spain.

References
  1. Lachlan MacLean (1838). An Historical and Genealogical Account of the Clan Maclean.
  2. John Patterson MacLean (1889). A History of the Clan MacLean from Its First Settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the Present Period: Including a Genealogical Account of Some of the Principal Families Together with Their Heraldry, Legends, Superstitions, Etc. R. Clarke & Co. p. 224. The hostile parties met at a place called Benbigrie, and as neither felt disposed to offer nor to accept terms, the result was an immediate battle. The followers of the chief of MacLean, upon this occasion, considerably outnumbered the MacDonalds; but Sir James, well aware that he need hope for no reconciliation with his enraged kinsman, told his followers that in a resolute resistance alone existed any hope of safety to themselves or of protection to their homes. The MacDonalds, goaded to desperation by a knowledge of these facts, fought with uncontrollable fury, and it was not until the heights of Benbigrie were covered with their slain, and their chief carried off the field dangerously wounded, that their assailants succeeded in routing them.


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