Battle of Drumnacoub

Battle of Drumnacoub
Part of Clan Mackay succession dispute
Looking south across Carn Fada towards Ben Loyal (left) and Ben Hope (right)
Date c. 1427 to 1433[1] Location Southern end of Kyle of Tongue, Sutherland grid reference NC569519 [1] 58°26′N 4°27′W / 58.433°N 4.450°W / 58.433; -4.450 Result Mackay victory
Belligerents
Clan Mackay	Clan Sutherland Mackay rebels
Commanders and leaders
John Mackay Angus Mackay †	Morgan Nielson Mackay † Niel Nielson Mackay † Angus Murray (of Aberscross) †
Strength
1200 men[2]	1200,[2] or 1500 men[3]
Casualties and losses
Angus Mackay "very few alive"	Morgan & Niel both killed "very few alive"

The Battle of Drumnacoub (Battle of Druim na coub, Drum-ne-coub) was a Scottish clan battle involving factions of the Clan Mackay fought in the far northwest of Scotland, some time between 1429 and 1433.^[4] It took place on a hill called Carn Fada at the southern end of the Kyle of Tongue, between Ben Loyal and the village of Tongue. It was fought between members of the Clan Mackay and men of the Clan Sutherland. The battle was recorded by the 15th century chronicler, Walter Bower, in his work Scotichronicon.

On one side was the old chief, Angus Du (Dow) Mackay and his second son John Aberach Mackay. On the other side were Angus's cousins Morgan Neilson Mackay and Niel Neilson Mackay who were backed by troops from the Clan Sutherland, led by Angus Murray. Niel Nielson Mackay and Morgan Nielson Mackay were attempting to take the Mackay lands from their cousin, chief Angus Du Mackay.