Clan Battle Chisholm vs MacMillian/Cameron

[Glen C]

Being a history buff I came across this little gem.

I know the victors generally write the history, but I'm interested if any MacMillian or Cameron folklore mention this battle.

Just for background this happened in the middle to late 1600's, Chisholm of Knockfin was one of the first highland cattle barons. He got very rich buying cattle from local farmers and driving them to Inverness for sale. I guess we have a softspot in our hearts for cattle and cattle trails.

The old people in Strathglass (Chisholms) state that a battle was fought above Fasanacoil on a field called Glasbuidh or Aridhuian. The tradition is, that Camerons and the Macmillans of Lochaber formed an idea that they could, by uniting their forces, take possession of Strathglass. The Chisholms who were for a long period, prior to this, sole proprietors of the district, failed to see any justice in the demands of the intruders from the south-west! It was very galling to them to hear of such an intention at any time, but especially at a time when their chief was a minor; so they decided on the most determined resistance. Their reply was an immediate declaration of war, expressing their readiness to abide by the arbitration of the sword, and to decide the merits or demerits of their contention on the Blackmoor of Baile-na-bruthach, between Clachan and Baile-na-haun. The would-be conquerors of Strathglass objected to the large level blackmoor to fight a battle on. They alleged—very properly in my opinion—that it was too much surrounded by club-farms, and that women and children from these farms might be killed unintentionally. Unfortunately for the enemy it was ultimately decided by the leaders of both parties to fight the battle on the fields of Aridhuian, where, no doubt, it was an advantage for the Chisholms to fight, on ground they must have known much better than their opponents, especially as there are several little hillocks on Aridhuian and a burn running through it. This enabled Chisholm of Knockfin—the leader of the Strathglass men—to place all the forces under his command in a favourable position. It is stated in the traditions of the district that the Macmillans and their friends were dreadfully shattered by the first fire. Whether this was the result of the absence of proper discipline among the Lochaber men, or want of ability on the part of their leader, I know not, nor have I ever heard any cause assigned for it. But I have always heard that Knockfin disposed his men in such a masterly manner as to enable them to pour their bullets simultaneously into the front and flank of the enemy. Terrible as this volley was it does not appear to have satisfied the pugnacious proclivities of the intruders. Decimated as their ranks were, the
brave Lochaber men rallied and returned again and again to the charge with little or no success. In the afternoon two of them came forward under some sort of flag of truce and arranged to bury their dead, and carry their wounded away. The following day no less than sixteen of the latter were removed on improvised ambulances. This mode of conveying sick, wounded, or dead bodies, was called in Gaelic " cradh leabaidh," a term, literally translated into English, meaning anguish or agony bed. The defeated Lochaber men did not consider it safe to pass through Strathglass by the ordinary road. They decided to cross the river Affric with their melancholy procession, at the rough fords east of Achagiat, called Na Damhanan.

When a mere boy I was passing through the field of Aridhuian with an old man who lived during his youth in Fasanacoil, and who was tracksman for a portion of his life in the farm of that name. He had ample opportunities of knowing the traditions current in his time about the battle of Aridhuain. He pointed out to me where the battle commenced and where the enemy buried their dead.

I heard a number of curious incidents about this battle. One of them is to the following eifect :—In their flight two or three of the Lochaber men saw an old woman trying to conceal a little boy from their view. One of them got hold of the boy. The simple old nurse implored him not to hurt the child, as he was the son of Mr Chisholm of Knockfin. "Nо fear of him," said the refugee. "Keep quiet; I will take care of the child, and he will probably take care of me, till I get out of the Strathglass woods," So saying he took the child up on his shoulders, remarking in Gaelic, " 'S e guailleachan as f hearr learn a gheibh mi gu h-oiche," meaning that he considered the bоу the safest tunic he could have got all day. The faithful nurse was very much alarmed, but she was told to follow quietly : and when they passed out of the wood above Giusachan the boy was restored quite safely to her. It is also related that one of the enemy was lying mortally wounded on the field of battle, and crying loudly for some one to give him a drink of water for the love of God. A Strathglass man who heard him answered, " As you ask for it in that Name you shall certainly have it," and so saying he went to the burn which runs through the field, took off his bonnet, filled it with water, and hastily returned to the bleeding man. He stooped down and held the water to the lips of the suiferer. Whilst in this position, performing an urgent act of mercy, the ungrateful wretch whom he was assisting pulled out from his pocket a " madadh achlais," or stilletto, and thrust it into the heart of his benefactor. The charitable man who lost his life whilst thus acting the part of the good Samaritan was of the family of Chisholms known as Clann 'ic Alastair Bhuidhe. I heard it said that he was a great-grand-uncle of John Buidhe Chisholm, who died about fifty years ago, at a very advanced age, and was for part of his life tenant of Glassburn. At the same battle another Strathglass man was killed, if possible, in a still more treacherous manner. He was attacked by two of the enemy's swordsmen, both of whom he kept at bay with his good blade for a while, but at last, being hard pressed, he placed his back against a mud hut which stood near him. Here he parried every stroke and thrust aimed at him. Whether the length of his sword or his own superiority in wielding the weapon enabled him to defend himself against the sanguinary efforts of his two deadly enemies I know not. It is, however, certain that they saw no fair chance of vanquishing him. So one of them conceived the idea of killing the brave hero by the foulest means. To accomplish this he slipped round and entered the bothy quietly by the door, and by raising a sod made an aperture from within, whereby he obtained a view of the two accomplished swordsmen eager as tigers for each other's life blood. In an instant he saw the Strathglass man within reach of his sword, whereupon he thrust it through his body from behind. Thus the gallant swordsman fell without a single wound or scar except the fatal one from the weapon of the cowardly assassin in the bothy. Such are the traditions current in the district about the battle of Aridhuian. I state them exactly as I heard them related over and over again by truthful and trustworthy men. It is said that the two deaths above desciibed were the only casualties among the Strathglass men when defending their rights at the point of the sword. It is a source of pleasure for me to conclude this paper with the statement of an old Seanachie, named Cameron, whom I heard saying— " Some of the best families and best soldiers in Lochaber positively refused to take any part whatever in the reckless enterprise which brought such a crushing defeat on a section of their countrymen at the battle of Aridhuian.".

Unlike the McDonalds of Glencoe I hold no grudges against the McMillians or Camerons.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

MacMillan charging with arms gory
Woe! with whom you'll deal,
There's venom in your hatred
But your friendship is like steel.

Of course it reads (and possibly scans) better in gaelic, but sums up the bonds that existed at that time between the MacMillans and the Camerons (for whom my son is named).

My motto, btw, is Friendship Like Steel.

[James MacMillan]

I had not heard that story, but I do remember my Grandmother having kind words for the Camerons.

Thanks.

[highlander_Daz]

as a Cameron id like to bring the website to everyones attention, and theres loads of history on there

http://www.clan-cameron.org/

[Jock Scot]

as a Cameron id like to bring the website to everyones attention, and theres loads of history on there

http://www.clan-cameron.org/

Am I right in thinking that there is a clan Cameron gathering in 2009 at Achnacarry H.D.?Lets hope they have the new roof finished by then.Will you play your pipes there?

[Jock Scot]

as a Cameron id like to bring the website to everyones attention, and theres loads of history on there

http://www.clan-cameron.org/

Am I right in thinking that there is a clan Cameron gathering in 2009 at Achnacarry H.D.?Lets hope they have the new roof finished by then.Will you play your pipes there?

[Jock Scot]

OOOPS sorry.Mods if you want to delete the duplicate message then please do.

[highlander_Daz]

Astie Cameron is the clan piper, and protocol means he plays at all the major events, I keep meaning to float the idea of a duet or something like that at the gathering, its between July 30 through August 2, 2009. I may do some playing but its up to Astie and Lochiel. i may take my smallpipes for some evening entertainment, as they go donw a storm in the confined areas where the GHB is to strident, might scare they midgies as well

[Jock Scot]

The midges there are bomb proof!

[beloitpiper]

The Forbes and Gordons have something like this. The Gordons got upset that the Forbes killed their watch at Inverness when Mary Queen of Scotts was in town. Then the Gordons destroyed the Forbes and stole their land.

Who's right? Well, I'm a little biased, but in my opinion, the matter is settled.