Battle of Bloody Bay

The Battle of the Bloody Bay ("Bagh na Fala)" was a naval battle fought near Tobermory, Scotland. It was fought on the coast of Mull two miles north of Tobermory, between two parties of the Clan Donald. The precise date of the battle varies in sources, from 1480 to 1483. [ [http://www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/scottish-battles.html Scottish Battles List by Region, Scotland - UK History ] ]

The participants

The battle was fought between John of Islay, Earl of Ross, who was also Lord of the Isles and chief of Clan Donald "(Eoin MacDomhnaill)" against his son Angus Og Macdonald "(Aonghas Óg )".

John MacDonald of Islay, chief of Clan Donald, was supported by men from the Clan MacLean, Clan MacLeod, and Clan MacNeil. He was opposed by his son, Angus Og Macdonald, who was supported by Allan Macruari, chief of the Clan MacDonald of Clan Ranald, [ [http://www.macdonald.com/ranald.html The Clan Ranald ] ] and Domhnall Mac Aonghais ("Donald Mac Angus") chief of the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch [ [http://www.clandonald.org.uk/genealogy/notes.html Notes ] ] [ [http://www.mcwest.org/~mccreary/clan/james/MacRuari.html MacRuarie – McCreary ] ] .

Context and consequences

The battle resulted in a decisive victory for Angus Og Macdonald, in rebellion against his father. The context involved the Scottish crown, with King James III of Scotland as backer of John of Islay and indirectly English pressure. [http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/biographies/johnmacdonaldii.html] ] .

After the battle, Angus Og effectively took over power from his father, and held it for a decade until his murder. John "(Eoin)" kept a low profile.

Hector Maclean, chief of Clan MacLean, John of Islay's naval commander, was taken prisoner [ [http://www.fortunecity.com/bally/leitrim/147/maclean.html Maclean ] ] . William Macleod of Harris (William Dubh), chief of Clan MacLeod, another supporter of Eoin, was taken prisoner and died of wounds, or was killed. [ [http://www.caledoniansocietyofneworleans.com/main_pgs/clans/c_hist/macleod.html MacLeod ] ] [http://homepage.ntlworld.com/gordon.caig/download/CAIG%20A%20Sept%20of%20Clan%20Farquharson%20and%20Clan%20MacLeod%20of%20Harris.pdf (PDF)] [ [http://www.electricscotland.com/WEBCLANS/m/macleod2.html Clan MACLEOD ] ] .

Notes