Battle of Harlaw

The Battle of Harlaw in 1411 is sometimes called "Red Harlaw," because it was one of the main conflicts between the Highlanders and Lowlanders, and because it was one of the bloodiest battles in Scottish history. While James I was in England growing up under house arrest, Donald, the Lord of the Isles, was planning a way to secure the earldom of Ross' estates before the Stewarts of Albany could do so. He brought his army west into Inverness over the River Spey, where it was intercepted two miles from Harlaw by Keiths, Forbes, Leslies, and Irvines, led by the Earl of Mar. Donald's men eventually withdrew, and the battle is generally viewed as a draw.