Category: Battle for Ruaig-Shansaid
Categories: Scottish Military History
A part of Scottish Military History
Battle of Battle for Ruaig-Shansaid (Sandside Chase) 1437
A Scottish clan battle which took place in 1437 in Caithness, about 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Thurso, near the Mackay holdings of Reay.
The Mackays entered Caithness by way of Reay, but took the precaution of leaving a strong body posted on Drum Holstein to cover their rear.
The main body advanced towards Thurso, plundering and burning as they went. They were met somewhere in the neighbourhood of Thurso by the forces of Caithness, before which the Mackays fell back fighting and carrying their spoil. They retired in good order to Sandside (Reay), where they were joined by their reserves from Drum Holstein, and there the real battle began. Ian Aberach Mackay managed to corner the Caithnessmen in a loop of the bay below Sandside House, and to inflict a crushing defeat driving many into the sea. The survivors were chased for some distance along the shore towards Dunreay. The battle became known as The Battle for Ruaig-Shansaid (Sandside Chase).
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