Battle of Logiebride

The earliest account of the Battle of Logiebride was that by Sir Robert Gordon (1580–1656) who was living at the time of the battle, in his book the History of the Earldom of Sutherland written in the early 17th century.

Gordon states that in 1597 a "tumult" happened in Ross at a fair in Laggiewreid which almost put all the neighboring counties of Ross into combustion. He states that the quarrel was between John Macgillichallum (brother to the Laird of Raasay) and Alexander Bain (brother of Duncan Bain of Tulloch). Gordon goes on to state that the Munros assisted Bain and the Mackenzies assisted John Macgillichallum, who was killed along with John Mac-Murdo Mac-William, and three others of the Clan Mackenzie. Alexander Bain escaped but on his side John Munro of Culcraggie, with his brother, Hutcheon Munro, and John Munro Robertson were killed. The Munros and Mackenzies then prepared to invade each other but were reconciled by friends and neighbors.[1]

John Mackenzie of Applecross wrote an account of the battle in his manuscript history of the Mackenzies in 1669.[4] Mackenzie of Applecross stated that the year 1597 there fell out again an accident between the Mackenzies and Munros.[4] John M'Gillichallum who was the brother of the Laird of Raasay claimed the lands of Torridon that belonged to the Bains of Tulloch.[4] He alleged that Bain of Tulloch had promised him the land as he had been fostered by him as a child.[4] Bain of Tulloch having died the lands went to his son Alister.[4] Alister having got laws against John came prepared with men in arms including all of the Bains and part of the Munros to the Candlemas market at Laggievriid.[4] John not knowning that laws were against him was at a merchant's shop buying some commodity when Alister Bain came up and struck him with a two handed sword killing him instantly.[4] A Mackenzie tried to intervene but was struck through the back from behind and killed.[4] The alarm was thrown up and the Bains and Munros fled in confusion with the Bains heading to the hills and the Munros to Foulis ferry.[4] Two Mackenzies coming from the market at Chanonry and having heard what had happened allegedly killed thirteen Munros between Laggie and Mulchaich and Alister Bain's men were killed where ever they were seen.[4] The Mackenzies having gained laws against the Munros for the killing of their kinsman burnt the lands of Lemlair.[4] The Bains eventually submitted themselves to the Mackenzies and the Munros were reconciled by the mediation of friends.[4]

The Wardlaw manuscript was written in about 1674 by James Fraser. Fraser states that the battle took place on the 4 February 1597 at the Candlemas fair called Bridfaire (St Bridget's Fair) in a town called Lagy Vrud (Logy, Conan), in Ross upon the river of Connin. The quarrel began between John Mackillchallim, a Mackleud (MacLeod), brother to the Laird of Rasey and another gentleman, John Bain, brother of Duncan Bain, Baron of Tulloch, near Dingwall. Fraser states that John Mackillchallum was a vile, flgitious, proflagat fellow, and ravaging robber, picking quarrells with all men, he frequented markets for the purpose of taking advantage of poor chapmen and merchants, pillaging and robbing their shops without resistance. He was also a relation of the Mackenzies and was patronized by them. At this fair he had 6 or 7 bold followers with him. John Bain, a gallant courageous gentlemen, saw him abuse a merchants wife and take away his goods by violence. Bain challenged him, commanding him to give it back or he would make him do it. After verba verbera from words to swords, John Bain draws upon him and gave him two or three deadly wounds. Three Mackenzies were also killed. Upon John Bain's side were killed John Monro of Cularge, and Hugh, his brother and John Monro Robertson. The chase run down the firth towards the mill of Arkaig and the wood of Milchaich, where many were wounded and some slain. John Bain with his Fraser amour bearer withdrew and deliberately escaped to Lovat. The next morning Fraser, Lord Lovat dispatched James Fraser of Phopachy to King James, being then at Falkland, with an account of what had happened. The King sent John Bain full remission and personal protection and a warrand and power to charge the Laird Mackenzie of Kintail with intercommoning, and all the accomplices of John Mackilchallim.[5]

A Munro family tree dating from 1734 only mentions two casualties and agrees with the original account written by Sir Robert Gordon that John Munro of Culcraggie and Hutcheon Munro were killed in the battle. The Munro tree of 1734 does not mention the thirteen Munro casualties mentioned by historian Alexander Mackenzie in his books the History of the Mackenzies (1894) and the History of the Munros of Foulis (1898).[6]

Historian John Anderson published an account of the battle in his book Historical Account of the Family of Fraser in 1825. Anderson quotes from the MSS History of the Frasers (Wardlaw Manuscript written c.1674 by James Fraser of Wardlaw) and the MSS of Mackenzies (Applecross MS History of the Mackenzies written c.1669 by John Mackenzie of Applecross). Anderson's account is very similar to that given in James Fraser's Wardlaw MS. Anderson also states that a different colour is given in the account by the Mackenzies, but they agree on the main points.[7]

Alexander Mackenzie later published an account of the battle in his book The History of the Mackenzies (1894) and a similar account in his book The History of the Munros of Fowlis (1898). In The History of Mackenzies, historian Alexander Mackenzie quotes his account of the battle "from family MSS" and Sir Robert Gordon's "Earldom of Sutherland". The "family MSS" is the Applecross MS History of the Mackenzies written by John Mackenzie of Applecross in 1669.

Alexander Mackenzie says that a "disturbance" took place at Logie-Riach, on the banks of the river Conon on 4 February 1597. It was fought between the Mackenzies against the Bains and Munros, in which several of the latter were slain. Mackenzie states that a difference arose between John MacGilliechallum brother of MacLeod, Laird of Raasay and the Bains about the lands of Torridon. Bain attended the Candlemas market at Logie with a large following of armed men which included Bains and a considerable number of Munros. Mackenzie states that John MacGilliechallum came to the fair too and while he was buying something Bain came up behind him and without warning struck him on the head with a sword killing him instantly. Mackenzie goes on to say that one of the Mackenzies tried to interfere but no sooner had he opened his mouth that he was run through the body by one of the Bains. Mackenzie states that the war cry of the Clan Mackenzie was raised and the Bains and Munros then fled followed by a band of Mackenzies, who slaughtered everyone they overtook. Mackenzie goes on to say that two Mackenzies named Ian Dubh MacCoinnich Mhic Mhurchaidh and Ian Gallda Mac Fhionnla Dhuibh having learned of the cause of the Munro's flight slew no less than thirteen of them between Logie and the wood of Millechaich. Mackenzie concludes that most of the Bains were killed and that the Munros lost no less than fifty men.[2][8] The latter however is not stated in either Sir Robert Gordon's or John Mackenzie of Applecross's 17th century manuscripts.[1][4]

A recent published account of the battle was written by Alan Mackenzie of the Clan Mackenzie Society USA and Canada, in his book, A History of the Mackenzies, and is almost identical to the earliest account written by Sir Robert Gordon, a contemporary in his book the History of the Earldom of Sutherland written the early 17th century.[3]