The Battle of Coire na Creiche, c. 1601: The Last Clan Battle on Skye

At a glance

Date	c. 1601
War	The “War of the One-Eyed Woman”
Where	The Cuillin, above Glen Brittle, Skye
Winner	MacDonald of Sleat
Loser	MacLeod of Dunvegan
Noted for	the last clan battle fought on Skye

Background

A handfast (trial) marriage between Rory Mòr MacLeod’s sister and Donald Gorm Mòr MacDonald ended without an heir, and MacDonald sent her home. Tradition — the origin of the war’s name — says she was returned by way of insult on a one-eyed horse, led by a one-eyed servant with a one-eyed dog.

The battle

While Rory Mòr MacLeod was away seeking Campbell help, the MacDonalds of Sleat raided northern Skye and drove the seized cattle to the corrie called Coire na Creiche — “the corrie of the spoil.” MacLeod’s brother Alasdair caught them there; the fight ran into the night and the MacDonalds won, taking Alasdair and around thirty of his kinsmen prisoner.

Honesty note: no death toll is recorded — only the traditional “Alasdair and ~30 captured.” The one-eyed-horse tale is clan legend. “Last clan battle on Skye” is a traditional claim — note on Skye, since the last clan battle in Scotland is usually given as Mulroy (1688). The best-documented part is what came after: the Privy Council summoned both chiefs and forced a reconciliation.

The site today

No monument or cairn — the memory survives in the Cuillin place-name alone. Not on the HES Inventory.

The clans & people involved

Clan MacDonald of Sleat — Donald Gorm Mòr, victorious.
Clan MacLeod of Dunvegan — Rory Mòr; his brother Alasdair captured.

Sources

Battle of Coire na Creiche — Wikipedia; Clan Donald Skye (Armadale).

📝 Kevin’s note: a photo of Coire na Creiche / the Cuillin above Glen Brittle — add from our own visit.

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