Battle Of Beallach Nam Brog

This battle occurred circa 1452. Some MacKenzie's of Kintail and their allies defeated vassals of the Earl of Ross, Iain MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, who were supported by a few Munroes and Dingwalls.

Given the involvement of Munro, the site of the battle is thought to have been at a pass just west of Ben Wyvis which is in the Munro country. Clan Munro lost their Chieftain and one of his sons in the battle.

Another account, however, suggests that the battle was in the Glenmoriston area where local tradition says that there is a rough trail up into the hills that leads to ‘Bealach nam Brog”.

The Highland round targe (shield) had not been developed at this stage of history. It is reported that in preparation for the battle the western warriors bound their sandals around their breasts with their belts to protect themselves against arrows and sword cuts.

Although there is confusion about the locale of the battle, there is none about the consequences. The battle served to remove some of MacKenzie's competitors from the scene. Alasdair Ionraic (the just man), 6^th Chieftain of the Kintail at the time of this battle, was able to set his Clan on their long road towards dominance in the northwest of Scotland.

The ground of the piobaireachd is considered to be among the oldest; variations and other adornments appear to have been added much later in time.

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