The Battle of Glen Fruin, 1603: The Fight That Outlawed a Clan

Background

The two clans had a running feud, driven by MacGregor raiding into Colquhoun lands round Loch Lomond. Sir Alexander Colquhoun obtained a royal commission from James VI to suppress the MacGregors — so this was a clan already out of royal favour, fighting men acting under the law.

What happened

Colquhoun marched into Glen Fruin with the larger force (perhaps 600–800, with horse and Dumbarton townsmen), expecting to trap the MacGregors. Alasdair MacGregor (with perhaps 300–400) sprang the trap instead, sending a party under his brother to block the Colquhoun rear. The boggy glen neutralised the Colquhoun horse; when they broke, they were driven onto the ambush and cut down.

Outcome & significance

The victory was ruinous. James VI proscribed the whole Clan Gregor — the very name MacGregor abolished, on pain of death — and the chief was executed in 1604. Proscription ran, with breaks, until 1774. Glen Fruin is the classic case of winning the battle and losing everything.

The site today

Glen Fruin is quiet farmland and moor west of Loch Lomond, crossed by a minor road. There is no visitor centre; a stone traditionally marks the burial of the chief’s brother, and the site is noted locally.

The clans & people involved

• Clan Gregor — the victors, with Cameron allies.
• Clan Colquhoun of Luss — defeated, with Buchanan allies.

Sources

• Battle of Glen Fruin — Wikipedia; The Scotsman; ScottishHistory.org.