Battle site of Harlaw (1411) ***

Region: Aberdeen(shire) & Moray

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Description:

On a roadside site near Harlaw house stands a monument marking the bloody battle of Harlaw in 1411.

In an all-out attempt to halt the advance of Donald, Lord of the Isles and his 10.000 Highlanders, many clans of the north east, under the command of the Earl of Mar, joined together. The Earl’s force, including a score of knights, marched from Aberdeen north westwards past Inverurie until the enemy was sighted at Harlaw. After a long day of hard fighting, the invaders withdrew towards Inverness.

Because of the extreme viciousness of this battle it became known as ‘Red Harlaw’.