Battle of Ruoig-Hansett

The Battle of Ruoig-Hansett also known as the Battle of Ruaig-Shansaid was a Scottish clan battle which took place in, 1437, in Caithness in the Scottish Highlands. The battle was fought between men of the Clan MacKay and men of the Clan Sutherland.

Background

Neil Wasse MacKay, son of Angus Dow MacKay, chief of Clan MacKay had been imprisoned in the Bass Rock by King James I of Scotland in 1427 for his part in the Battle of Harpsdale, which took place in 1426. Neil Wasse MacKay was released from the Bass Rock in 1437 and immediately attacked the inhabitants of Caithness and Clan Sutherland who he had fought with at Harpsdale in 1426.

Accounts of the Battle

ir Robert Gordon

Sir Robert Gordon (1580 - 1656) wrote an account of the Battle of Rouig-Hansett in his book the "Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland":

"Neil- wasse-MacKay, immediately after his release out of the Bass, the year 1437, entered into Caithness, and spoiled the country. He skirmished with some of the people of the country, at a place called Sansett, where he overthrew them, with slaughter on either side. This conflict was called Ruoig-Hansett, that is, the flight or chase at Sansett. After which Neil-Wasse died, leaving two sons, Angus and John-Roy. Of this John-Roy, the Sleaght-ean-Roy (offspring of John-Roy) are descended." ["Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland". p.68, by Sir Robert Gordon ]

Conflicts of the Clans

An account of the battle was written in the book "Conflicts of the Clans" published by the Foulis Press in 1764, written from a manuscript from the time of King James VI of Scotland (1566 - 1625):

"The year of god 1437, Neil Wasse Mackay, after his release out of the Bass, entered Caithness with all hostility, and spoiled all that country. He skirmished with some of the inhabitants of that province at a place called Sanset, where he overthrew them with slaughter on either side. This conflict was called Ruaig-hanset, that is the Chase at Sanset. Shortly thereafter Neil Wasse died." [ [http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Heritage/FSCNS/Scots_NS/Hty_Sct/Conflict_Clans/CC/Ruaig_Shansaid.html Conflicts of the Clans ] ] [ [http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/conflict/Ruaig_Shansaid.html Conflicts of the Clans ] ]

Robert MacKay

A traditional account of the battle written by Robert MacKay in his book the "History of the House and Clan of the Name MacKay, published in 1829:

"The tradition regarding this invasion, is to the following effect: The people of Caithness had committed some depredations on the east parts of the Reay country, in return for which, he and his brother John-Abrach with their men, marched into Caithness, and took a great spoil with them. The better to provide against an assault, they placed a reserve about the border beyond Drimholisten, (Prospect-hill) to be ready to assist, if necessary. Neil and John were overtaken by a great company of Caithness-men at Downreay, when a fierce conflict ensued; but at length the latter fled, and were pursued with slaughter about four miles to the water of Forss, where Niel and John saw a fresh company marching with speed down the hill of Forss, to assist their flying countrymen. The MacKays then retired back as far as Sanside, before their opponents got up with them, and by that time they were joined by their reserve. A most desperate engagement followed, which terminated in the defeat and flight of the Caithness-men, who were pursued with considerable slaughter as far as Downreay, about three miles. It is to this day called Ruoig Haundsaid, i.e. the Sandside Chace." [History of the House and Clan of MacKay by Robert Makay (1829). P.76]

References