Military Wiki

This is a list of wars involving the Kingdom of Scotland before the creation of the Kingdom of Great Britain by the Acts of Union 1707, including clan conflicts, civil wars, and rebellions. For dates after 1708, see List of wars involving the United Kingdom.

      Clan conflict - 16
      Scottish victory - 12
      Scottish defeat - 11
      Another result - 1 (e.g. a treaty or peace without a clear result, status quo ante bellum, result unknown or indecisive, inconclusive)

10th and 11th centuries[]

Conflict Scotland & allies Scotland's opposition Result
Athelstan's invasion of Scotland

(934–937)

Location: Whole of Scotland
Constantine II of Scotland

Portrait of Constantine II, leader of the Scottish forces against Athelstan's invading army

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland

Norse–Gaels

Kingdom of Strathclyde

Kingdom of Dublin

FlagOfWessex Kingdom of England

Flag of Deheubarth Kingdom of Deheubarth

Flag of Gwynedd Kingdom of Gwynedd

Partial Scottish Victory
  • Defeat in final battle at Brunanburh
  • However, end of Athelstan's plans to annex Scotland and Strathclyde
Annexation of Strathclyde

(c. 1034)

Location: Strathclyde
Dumbarton Rock - geograph.org

Dumbarton Rock, chief fortress of the old Kingdom of Strathclyde

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland

FlagOfWessex Kingdom of England

Kingdom of Strathclyde Scottish Victory
Invasion of Northumbria

(1039)

Location: Northumbria
Donnchad I

17th century portrait of Duncan I, leader of the Scottish forces who would die a year later in battle with Macbeth

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland FlagOfWessex Kingdom of England Scottish Defeat at Siege of Durham
Norman invasion of Scotland

(1072)

Part of the Norman conquest of Britain

Location: Scottish Borders and Northumbria
Abernethy from circular walk - geograph.org

Abernethy village, where the peace treaty declaring William I Scotland's overlord was signed

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland Arms of William the Conqueror (1066-1087) Kingdom of England Treaty of Abernethy
  • Scottish Defeat with Scottish attacks on Northumbria repelled
  • Malcolm III forced to submit to William the Conqueror, though makes subsequent raids once the Norman king returns south

12th century[]

Conflict Scotland & allies Scotland's opposition Result
Óengus's invasion of Scotland

(1130)

Location: Angus
Malcolm IV, King of Scotland, charter to Kelso Abbey, 1159, initial (crop David I)

David I, King of Scotland in 1130. At the time of Óengus the pretender's invasion, he was serving as a judge at Henry I's court in England

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Moray

Kingdom of Ross

Scottish Victory
  • King Óengus of Moray killed in battle, while Máel Coluim mac Alaxandair (King of Ross) imprisoned for life
Somairle's invasion of Scotland

(1164)

Location: Renfrewshire
GlasgowButeHallStKentigern

Stained glass window in Glasgow Bute Hall depicting Saint Kentigern, who supposedly led the Scots to divine victory over the Islemen

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of the Isles

Kingdom of Dublin

Scottish Victory
  • King Somairle of the Isles killed in battle, leading to mass destabilisation and war in his kingdom
Revolt of 1173–74

(1173–1174)

Location: England, Normandy, Scottish Borders, Brittany, and Flanders
Alnwick and Alnwick Castle - Northumberland - 140804

Alnwick, market town in Northumberland where William I of Scotland was captured by supposed 'divine providence'

English Rebels under Eleanor of Aquitaine

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland

Arms of the Kings of France (France Ancien) Kingdom of France

Arms of Jean III de Bretagne Duchy of Brittany

Blason Nord-Pas-De-Calais County of Flanders

Blason comte fr Boulogne County of Boulogne

Royal Arms of England English Royalists loyal to Henry II Scottish Defeat

13th century[]

Conflict Scotland & allies Scotland's opposition Result
Scottish–Norwegian War

(1262–1266)

Location: Hebrides and the Scottish West Coast
Alexander III and Ollamh Rígh

Coronation of Alexander III, who revived his father (Alexander II)'s ambitions to conquer the Western Isles - beginning the Scottish-Norwegian War

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland Royal Banner of Norway (14th Century) Kingdom of Norway

Kingdom of the Isles

Arms of the Earl of Orkney Earldom of Orkney

Treaty of Perth
  • Partial Scottish victory
  • Hebrides and Isle of Man bought from Norway for 4,000 marks to become part of Scotland
  • Norwegian sovereignty recognised over Orkney and Shetland
First War of Scottish Independence

(1296–1328)

Location: Scotland, England, and Ireland
Battle of Bannockburn - Bruce addresses troops

Robert the Bruce addressing his troops before Bannockburn (drawing from c. 1900)

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland

Supported by:

Flag of France (XII-XIII) Kingdom of France

Sword of Nuada Kingdom of Thomond

O'Kelly Kingdom of Uí Maine

Arms of the house of O'Donnell (ancient) Kingdom of Tyrconnell

O'Rourke Arms Kingdom of West Breifne

MacCarthy Kingdom of Desmond

Kingdom of Magh Luirg

Kingdom of Oriel

Flag of England Kingdom of England

Banner of the Lordship of Ireland Lordship of Ireland

Scottish Victory, ending English military occupation in the country

Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton

  • Peace treaty signed and ratified by Scottish and English Parliaments in 1328
  • Bruce family established as the new Scottish royal line
  • Border re-established roughly where it is today
  • Humiliation to English nobles, and family's prompting Second War of Independence only 5 years later

14th century[]

Conflict Scotland & allies Scotland's opposition Result
Second War of Scottish Independence

(1332–1357)

Location: Scotland
BNMsFr2643FroissartFol97vBatNevilleCross

The Battle of Neville's Cross, a heavy defeat for invading Scottish forces in which King David II was captured and held hostage for 11 years

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland

Arms of the Kings of France (France Ancien) Kingdom of France

Flag of England Kingdom of England

Balliol arms Supporters of Edward Balliol

Scottish Victory with end of English claims to the country's sovereignty

Treaty of Berwick (1357)

  • Scotland forced to pay 20,000 marks in ransom fees to reclaim David II (captive in England)
  • 14-year truce established between Scotland and England
Hundred Years' War

(1296–1328)

Location: France, the Low Countries, Great Britain, and the Iberian Peninsula
Battle poitiers

19th-century painting of the Battle of Poitiers, in which Scottish troops were led by William,1st Earl of Douglas

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland

Arms of the Kings of France (France Ancien) Kingdom of France

Royal Banner of the Crown of Castille (15th Century Style) Crown of Castile

Lombard League arms Republic of Genoa

Bohemia Arms Kingdom of Bohemia

Crown of Aragon COA Crown of Aragon

Flag of England Kingdom of England

Ancient Flag of Burgundy Duchy of Burgundy

Arms of Jean III de Bretagne Duchy of Brittany (Montfort)

PortugueseFlag1248 Kingdom of Portugal

Bandera de Reino de Navarra Kingdom of Navarre

Blason Nord-Pas-De-Calais Flanders

Hainaut Modern Arms Hainaut

Luxembourg

Scottish Victory
  • Scots played a key role in this conflict after the battle of Agincourt, forming a large part of French armies in this period that changed the course of the war
  • Battle of Homildon Hill ends in decisive English victory
  • Battle of Sark Ends in decisive Scottish victory in the north, coinciding with victory on the continent in France

English victory in the Edwardian War

French victory in the Caroline War and the Lancastrian War

Anglo-Scottish Wars

(1377–1575)

Location: Scottish Borders and Northern England
Scottish soldiers in the 14thC

A 14th-century illustration depicting an English herald arriving on Scottish troops

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland Flag of England Kingdom of England Series of border skirmishes resulting in stalemate

15th century[]

Conflict Scotland & allies Scotland's opposition Result

16th century[]

Conflict Scotland & allies Scotland's opposition Result
War of the League of Cambrai

(1511–1513)

Location: Scottish Borders
Battle Scene, by Hans Holbein the Younger

16th century depiction of Battle of Flodden, showing Scottish pikeman battling with English halberdiers

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland

Royal Flag of France France

Coat of arms of the House of Este (1452) Duchy of Ferrara

Flag of England Kingdom of England

Flag of the Papal States (pre 1808) Papal States

Flag of Republic of Venice (1659-1675) Venice

Banner of the Holy Roman Emperor with haloes (1400-1806) Holy Roman Empire

Arms of Ferdinand II of Aragon (1513-1516) Spain

Flag of Switzerland Swiss mercenaries

Scottish Defeat
The Rough Wooing

(1543–1550)

Location: Scottish Borders
The River Esk, Arthuret - geograph.org

River Esk, site of the Battle of Solway Moss, a heavy loss for Scottish troops during which thousands drowned after an English ambush

Flag of Scotland (1542-2003) Kingdom of Scotland

Royal Flag of France Kingdom of France

Flag of England Kingdom of England Scottish Victory
  • Treaty of Norham ends English military occupation in border regions, as well as returns hostages and grants Scotland full fishing rights to the River Tweed
Nine Years' War (Ireland)

(1594–1603)

Location: Ireland
Scottish soldiers in service of Gustavus Adolphus, 1631-cropped-2

Redshank, nickname for the Scottish Gaelic mercenaries employed by Hugh O'Neill in fighting the English Tudor invaders

O'Neill Alliance of Irish clans

Flag of Cross of Burgundy Spain

Scottish Gaelic mercenaries

Flag of England Kingdom of England

Royal Standard of Ireland (1542–1801) Kingdom of Ireland

Scottish Gaels Defeat

17th century[]

Conflict Scotland & allies Scotland's opposition Result

Civil wars and revolutions[]

Conflict Scottish Government Rebels Result
Invasion of Moray

(1040)

Location: Moray
Pitgaveny - geograph.org

Fields at Pitgaveny (then known as Bothnagowan), near Elgin, where King Duncan was slain

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland Supporters of Macbeth

Kingdom of Moray

Civil War, Victory of Macbeth
Dubh's First Rebellion

(1501–1505)

Location: Scottish Hebrides
Footpath above Achnashellach - geograph.org

Achnashellach Forest, site of the final Battle of Achnashellach, where Clan Cameron, loyal to the Lord of the Isles won - before Domnall Dubh was captured by royal forces

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland Shield of Arms of the Duke of Rothesay Lord of the Isles

Clan member crest badge - Clan Macdonald Clan Donald

Civil War, Royalist victory
Dubh's Second Rebellion

(1545)

Location: Scottish Hebrides
Drogheda, Ireland

Drogheda, Ireland, where the rebellion's leader Domhnall Dubh died, destroying the Hebrides' final hopes of independence

Flag of Scotland (1542-2003) Kingdom of Scotland Shield of Arms of the Duke of Rothesay Lord of the Isles

Clan member crest badge - Clan Macdonald Clan Donald

Flag of England Kingdom of England

Civil War, Royalist victory
Marian Civil War

(1568–1573)

Location: Scotland
Edinburgh Siege 1573

16th century illustration of the "Lang Siege" of Edinburgh, lasting from 1571 to 1573 and ending with supporters of James VI taking the castle

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Supporters of Mary, Queen of Scots Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Supporters of James VI, Mary's son

Flag of England Kingdom of England

Civil War, Victory of James VI
  • Imprisonment of Mary before her flight to England
Bishops' Wars

(1639–1640)

Location: Scottish Lowlands
The Signing of the National Covenant in Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh

Signing of the National Covenant in Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh, prompting a religious civil war and rebellion in Scotland

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland (1603-1707) Scottish Royalists

Flag of England Kingdom of England

Scottish Covenanter Flag Scottish Covenanters Civil War, Covenanter victory
Second English Civil War

(1648)

Location: Northern England
Battle of Preston 1648

Schematics of the Battle of Preston, a decisive Scottish loss under the Duke of Hamilton which brought an end to the Second English Civil War

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland (1603-1707) Scottish Royalists

Scottish Covenanter Flag Scottish Engagers

Flag of England Parliamentarians Civil War, Parliamentarian victory
Third English Civil War

(1649–1651)

Location: Scottish Lowlands and Northern England
Musket volley by Sealed Knot

Modern re-enactment of musketeers at the Battle of Inverkeithing, during Oliver Cromwell's invasion of Scotland

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland (1603-1707) Scottish Royalists

Scottish Covenanter Flag Scottish Covenanters

Flag of the Commonwealth (1649-1651) Parliamentarians Civil War, Parliamentarian victory
Glorious Revolution

(1688-1689)

William of Orange III and his Dutch army land in Brixham, 1688

The Prince of Orange landing at Torbay as depicted in an illustration by Jan Hoynck van Papendrecht

Kingdom of Scotland James VII William of Orange
Dutch military forces
British military forces
Internal Conflict
  • James VII replaced as king by his daughter Mary II and her husband William III
Jacobite Rebellions

(1689–1746)

Location: Scotland, England, and Ireland
Defence of Dunkeld

Modern depiction of the Battle of Dunkeld, fought between Highland Jacobites in support of James II and Covenanters in support of William III

Arms of Scotland (1694-1702) Scottish Williamites

Kingdom of Scotland Scotland (until 1707)
Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (from 1707)

Arms of Scotland (1689-1694) Scottish Jacobites Civil War, Williamite victory

Clan Conflicts[]

Conflict Clan 1 Clan 2 Result
Clan MacDougall-Clan Campbell feud

Part of the First War of Scottish Independence

(c. 1294)

Location: Loch Awe
Reflections on Loch Awe

Loch Awe, site of the decisive clan battle, with Kilchurn Castle (seat of Clan Campbell) on the left

Clan member crest badge - Clan MacDougall Clan MacDougall Clan member crest badge - Clan Campbell of Breadalbane Clan Campbell Clan Conflict
  • Clan MacDougall victory at the Battle of Red Ford, with heavy casualties on either side
  • Ford ran "red with blood"
Clan Cameron-Clan Mackintosh feud

(c. 1330–1688)

Location: Lochaber and Southeastern Highlands
Track beyond Achnanellan

Druim Gleann Laoigh, likely site of clan's first battle - fought over rival land claims

Clan member crest badge - Clan Cameron Clan Cameron Captain of Clan Chattan arms Clan Mackintosh Clan Conflict
  • Various clan battles and skirmishes over the centuries, with no overall winner

Ended in Battle of Mulroy, a Clan Cameron victory (allied with Clan MacDonald of Keppoch), after which clan warfare largely ceased in Scotland

Wolf of Badenoch feuds

(1391)

Location: Angus
Glen Brerachan - geograph.org

Glen Brierachan, site of the final stand-off between the Stewarts' raiding party and the Sheriff of Angus

Clan member crest badge - Clan Stewart Clan Stewart of Buchan

Clan member crest badge - Clan Robertson Clan Robertson

Clan member crest badge - Clan Mackay Clan Mackay

Ogilvy Clan Crest Scottish Clan Clan Ogilvy

Clan member crest badge - Clan Lindsay Clan Lindsay

Clan Gray

Clan Conflict, Clan Stewart victory
  • Lands of Angus burnt, homes sacked and civilians slaughtered
  • Elgin Cathedral burnt to the ground
Clan Mackay-Clan Gunn feud

(1426–1517)

Location: Caithness and Sutherland
Strath of Harpsdale - geograph.org

Strath of Harpsdale, site of the first clan battle between Mackay and Gunn and a "great slaughter on either side"

Clan member crest badge - Clan Mackay Clan Mackay

Supported by:

Arms of Keith, Earl Marischal Clan Keith

Clan member crest badge - Clan Ross Clan Ross

Clan member crest badge - Clan Gunn Clan Gunn

Supported by:

Clan member crest badge - Clan Matheson Clan Matheson

Clan Conflict
  • Various clan battles and skirmishes throughout the 15th century, with no overall winner
  • Ended in Battle of Torran Dubh, a Gunn victory, after which the two feuding clans allied against Clan Sinclair
Royal-Black Douglas feud

(1440–1526)

Location: Galloway, Scottish Borders, and West Lothian
James II of Scotland 17th century

King James II of Scotland, who spent his early adulthood and reign in an intense power struggle with the Earls of Douglas

Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland Royalists loyal to House of Stewart Douglas Arms 2 Rebels allied to Black Douglases Clan Conflict, Victory for House of Stewart
Clan Gordon-Clan Lindsay feud

(1445–1452)

Location: Angus
Arbroath Abbey - geograph.org

Arbroath Abbey, site of the first battle between Clans Gordon and Lindsay, which later tied into the Royal-Black Douglas feud

Clan member crest badge - Clan Gordon Clan Gordon

Supported by:

Ogilvy Clan Crest Scottish Clan Clan Ogilvy

Clan member crest badge - Clan Lindsay Clan Lindsay Clan Conflict
  • Two clan battles: the first won by Clan Lindsay, the second, as part of the Royal-Black Douglas Civil War, Clan Gordon
Clan Munro-Clan Mackenzie feud

(1452–1715)

Location: Ross
Ben wyvis

Ben Wyvis, below which the first battle between Clans Munro and Mackenzie took place to determine control over Ross

Clan member crest badge - Clan Munro Clan Munro

Supported by:

Clan member crest badge - Clan Fraser of lovat Clan Fraser of Lovat

Mackenzie crest Clan Mackenzie Clan Conflict
  • Various clan battles and skirmishes over the centuries, with no overall winner
  • Ended in Siege of Brahan during the Jacobite rising of 1715, when Clan Munro, loyal to the British Government, forced the Jacobite Mackenzies to surrender. Clan warfare largely ceased after this period
Clan Fraser of Lovat-Clan Mackenzie feud

(1452–1715)

Location: Ross
Beauly priory south side 29042008

Beauly Priory, the lands of which saw many border disputes between Clans Fraser of Lovat and Mackenzie

Clan member crest badge - Clan Fraser of lovat Clan Fraser of Lovat

Supported by:

Clan member crest badge - Clan Munro Clan Munro

Mackenzie crest Clan Mackenzie Clan Conflict
  • Various clan battles and skirmishes over the centuries, with no overall winner
  • Ended in Siege of Brahan during the Jacobite rising of 1715, when Clan Fraser, loyal to the British Government, forced the Jacobite Mackenzies to surrender. Clan warfare largely ceased after this period
Clan Munro-Clan Mackintosh feud

(1454–1719)

Location: Inverness-shire
Clachnaharry monument 1

Monument in Clachnaharry to the first battle between Clans Munro and Mackintosh after a dispute between the two over a "road collop" (passage money)

Clan member crest badge - Clan Munro Clan Munro Captain of Clan Chattan arms Clan Mackintosh Clan Conflict
  • Two clan battles and a perpetuated rivalry, ending after the Battle of Glen Shiel when Clan Mackintosh sided with the British Government, and Clan Munro the losing Jacobites
Clan Gunn-Clan Keith feud

(1464–c. 1478)

Location: Caithness
Path from Ackergill to Girnigoe

Coast north of Wick, on which a trial by combat took place in 1478 deciding the Gunn-Keith feud once and for all

Clan member crest badge - Clan Gunn Clan Gunn Arms of Keith, Earl Marischal Clan Keith Clan Conflict
  • Two clan battles ending in a Keith victory at the Battle of Champions
  • A treaty of friendship was signed by the clans in 1978, after 300 years of peace
Clan Mackay-Clan Ross feud

(c. 1480–1550)

Location: Ross and Sutherland
Tarbat Old Church

Tarbat Old Church, built on the ruins of the church Clan Ross burnt with members of Clan Mackay sheltering inside

Clan member crest badge - Clan Mackay Clan Mackay Clan member crest badge - Clan Ross Clan Ross Clan Conflict
  • Various clan battles and skirmishes largely in the 1480s, with no overall winner
  • Ended in a 1550 raid (and massacre) by Clan Mackay on Clan Ross
Clan MacDonald-Clan Maclean feud

(c. 1480–1598)

Location: Lochaber and Inner Hebrides
Clear Felling at Bloody Bay - geograph.org

Bloody Bay, site of a father-son battle within Clan Donald of which Clan Maclean took the father's side

Clan member crest badge - Clan Macdonald Various branches of Clan Donald Clan member crest badge - Clan Maclean Clan Maclean Clan Conflict
  • Various clan battles and skirmishes largely in the 16th century, with no overall winner
  • Ended in Battle of Benbigrie, a Clan Maclean victory
Clan MacDonald-Clan Mackenzie feud

(c. 1480–1602)

Location: Ross
Five Sisters

Five Sisters of Kintail, one of several sites in Ross where Clans Donald and Mackenzie clashed

Clan member crest badge - Clan Macdonald Clan Donald Mackenzie crest Clan Mackenzie

Supported by:

Clan member crest badge - Clan Mackay Clan Mackay

Clan member crest badge - Clan Fraser of lovat Clan Fraser of Lovat

Clan member crest badge - Clan Ross Clan Ross

Clan Conflict
  • Various clan battles and skirmishes largely in the 1480s, with no overall winner
  • Ended in a tactical draw at Battle of Morar, after which both families agreed a peace
Clan Cunningham-Clan Montgomery feud

(1488–1586)

Location: Ayrshire
Kerelaw castle

Kerelaw Castle, seat of Clan Cunningham; sacked and burned by Clan Montgomery in 1488

Clan member crest badge - Clan Cunningham Clan Cunningham Clan member crest badge - Clan Montgomery Clan Montgomery Clan Conflict
  • Various clan battles and skirmishes, as well as several high-profile murders, with no overall winner
Clan Mackay-Clan Sutherland feud

(1517–1590)

Location: Sutherland
Meall nan Ruadhag - geograph.org

Torran Dubh, the site of the first battle between Clan Mackay and Sutherland

Clan member crest badge - Clan Mackay Clan Mackay Clan member crest badge - Clan Sutherland Clan Sutherland

Clan member crest badge - Clan Gordon Clan Gordon

Clan Conflict
  • Various clan battles and skirmishes throughout the 16th century, with no overall winner
  • Ended in Battle of Clynetradwell, after which Clan Sutherland turned their attentions on Clan Sinclair
Clan Sutherland-Clan Sinclair feud

(1570–1601)

Location: Sutherland
Dornoch Castle Hotel (11470700643)

Dornoch Castle, besieged by supporters of Clan Sinclair in 1570, three members of Clan Murray (supporters of Clan Sutherland) being beheaded after surrendering a week later

Clan member crest badge - Clan Sutherland Clan Sutherland Clan member crest badge - Clan Sinclair Clan Sinclair Clan Conflict

See also[]

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at List of wars involving Scotland and the edit history here.