The Battle of Coire Na Creiche (1601): The Final Battle in the Macdonald-MacLeod Feud

Clan MacLeodThe protracted and violent feud between Clan Macdonald of Sleat and Clan MacLeod of Dunvegan and Harris reached its climax in a dramatic and bloody battle in 1601. This final confrontation, known as the Battle of Coire Na Creiche, took place in a scree-strewn hollow beneath the black Cuillin mountains on the Isle of Skye. This remote area had long been used as a holding spot for cattle stolen during raids. Donald Gorme of Sleat initiated a raid in retaliation for recent MacLeod attacks on Macdonald lands in Trotternish and North Uist, setting the stage for a fierce and decisive battle that would mark the end of their lengthy feud.

The conflict between the Macdonalds and MacLeods was not constant but rather a series of on-and-off hostilities punctuated by periods of uneasy peace. One notable period of rapprochement occurred seven years prior to the final battle when the two chiefs, Donald Gorme of Sleat and Rory Mór MacLeod, united to support Red Hugh O’Donnell in his rebellion against English rule in Ireland. In 1594, each chief led 500 clansmen across to Ireland, an endeavor that, while significant, is a tale for another time. This alliance forged a temporary friendship between the chiefs, leading to Donald Gorme’s marriage to Rory Mór’s sister, Margaret, sometimes recorded as Mary.

The marriage between Donald Gorme and Margaret MacLeod was subject to a contract known as a "handfast". Under this arrangement, a man and woman lived together as husband and wife for up to a year and a day. If, during this period, the woman bore a male child to be heir, the marriage would be formalized. If not, both parties would return to their respective families without further obligation.

After a year and a day, Margaret had not borne any children. Additionally, she had lost the sight in one eye, though the circumstances of this are not recorded. Donald Gorme decided to return Margaret to her brother, but he did so in a manner designed to maximize humiliation. He had Margaret tied facing backwards onto a one-eyed horse, led by a one-eyed servant, and followed by a one-eyed mongrel dog. This spectacle was sent back to Dunvegan Castle, enraging Rory Mór MacLeod. The insult to his sister and his clan led Rory to order the devastation of Trotternish, an area long disputed by the two clans.

Rory Mór’s response to his sister’s treatment was swift and brutal. The devastation of Trotternish marked the beginning of a series of tit-for-tat raids. The Macdonalds retaliated by raiding Harris, and the MacLeods struck back in North Uist, resulting in the bloody Battle of Carinish. These conflicts escalated until a large MacDonald party devastated Minginish and Bracadale, further intensifying the hostilities.

The feud between the Macdonalds of Sleat and the MacLeods of Dunvegan and Harris continued to escalate, causing much suffering among the people of the region. Seeking to bring an end to the hostilities with a decisive battle, Donald Gorme of Sleat took advantage of a strategic opportunity. When Rory Mór MacLeod went to seek the assistance of Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll, Donald Gorme launched an all-out invasion of northern Skye.

During this invasion, the Macdonalds seized a large number of cattle and drove them south to a traditional refuge for raiders, Coire na Creiche (Scottish Gaelic: Corrie of the Foray), which overlooks Glen Brittle below Bruach na Frìthe. This area had long served as a holding spot for stolen cattle due to its remote and defensible location.

Rory Mór's absence did not leave the MacLeods defenseless. Rory’s brother, Alasdair MacLeod, quickly mobilized a force to intercept the raiding party. The MacLeod forces caught up with the Macdonalds at Coire na Creiche, setting the stage for a fierce and prolonged battle.

The two sides joined battle late in the day, with the clash continuing well into the night. The terrain, with its scree-strewn slopes and rocky outcrops, made the fighting particularly brutal and chaotic. Despite the MacLeods' determination to recover their stolen cattle and defend their honor, the Macdonalds, demonstrating superior tactics and greater preparation, gained the upper hand.

The MacLeods were utterly defeated in this encounter. Alasdair MacLeod and thirty of his kinsmen were captured, adding to the heavy casualties on both sides. The defeat at Coire na Creiche marked a significant turning point in the feud, effectively ending the hostilities between the two clans.

Following the brutal defeat of the MacLeods at Coire na Creiche, the Privy Council of Scotland intervened to end the feud. Donald Gorme of Sleat was ordered to surrender to George Gordon, 1st Marquess of Huntly, while Rory Mór MacLeod was to surrender to the Earl of Argyll. Donald Gorme agreed to release his prisoners, including Alasdair MacLeod and thirty captured kinsmen.

The conclusion of the feud was marked by three weeks of feasting and festivities at Dunvegan Castle, symbolizing a renewed effort at reconciliation. This effectively ended the violence between the two clans, bringing closure to the "Feud of the One-Eyed Woman. Aside from a brief flare-up in 1603

The final battle at Coire Na Creich brought an end to the prolonged feud between the Macdonalds of Sleat and the MacLeods of Dunvegan and Harris. The Scottish Privy Council’s intervention ensured a negotiated peace, preventing further bloodshed. This resolution allowed both clans to move forward, though the legacy of their conflicts remains a significant chapter in the history of the Scottish Highlands.