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Dundurn : 683? - The stronghold
of the Pictish province of Fortrui at Dundurn Hill near
St Fillans was attacked by Scots. By 843 Scots
and Picts were united under Kenneth MacAlpin King of Scots.
Dunsinane Hill : 1054 - Malcolm
III launched an attack with an English army from Birnam Hill near
Dunkeld to MacBeth's stronghold at Dunsinane Hill
to the south. MacBeth is defeated but not finally deposed and killed until
1057.
Kinclaven : 1297 - William Wallace
ambushed an English force which was moving from
Perth to reinforce Kinclaven Castle. He pursued
the force inside the castle which surrendered. The garrison were then killed
and the castle burned.
Blackford : 1297 (?) - William
Wallace is also said to have defeated a small English force as they crossed
the ford on the Allan Water at Blackford.
Battle of Methven : 1306 - Robert
I (Robert the Bruce) was defeated at Methven shortly
after his coronation at Scone by the Earl of Pembroke in the early stages
of his long campaign to have himself recognised as rightful king of Scotland
and to ensure full and lasting Scottish independence.
Battle of Dupplin : 12 August 1332
- South west of Perth, Edward Balliol and the 'disinherited Barons' with
a force of only 3500 surprised and routed an army of 30000 under Regent Mar.
13000 of Mar's men are said to have been killed.
Battle of the Clans : 28th September
1396 - This took place on the North Inch, Perth.
This was a gladiatorial fight to the death to settle a long running feud
between the powerful Chattan and Mackay clans. 30 warriors from each formed
before Robert III. All Mackays died, except one who swam the River Tay, to
the loss of 10 Chattans. Legend has it that the Chattans were a man short
so a local saddler was paid to take the place. He survived, having joined
the winning side!
Ardvorlich House : 1620 - Cattle
raiding between Clans was a way of life in highland Perthshire. A Macdonald
of Glencoe raiding party were successfully repulsed by the Stewarts of Ardvorlich
House on the south side of Loch Earn. Seven Macdonalds died and are buried
near the house. The site is marked by a large stone.
Battle of Tippermore : 1st September
1644 - James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, with 2000 Highlanders and Irish
defeated a Covenanter force of 6000 under Lord Elcho at Tippermore and occupied
Perth. This was the first battle in Montrose's failed rebellion in support
of Charles I carried out while the main Scottish army was in England supporting
the Government forces there. Few died in the battle but an estimated 2000
died in the following massacre - this puts Tippermore at about the same level
of post-battle massacre as Culloden!
Perthshire : 1653 -
Drummond and
Blair castles are both almost destroyed by
Cromwellian forces during their invasion of Scotland.
 Battle of
Killiecrankie : 27th July 1689 - During the first Jacobite uprising against
the appointment of William of Orange as King of both Scotland & England,
General Hugh Mackay attempted to move a column of 4000 Government / Williamite
infantry through the Pass of Killiecrankie to occupy
Blair Castle. Viscount Dundee (John Graham
of Claverhouse) arrived with 2500 Jacobite Highlanders and occupied the high
ground of the Pass. After several hours of stand-off the Highlanders charged
down the slopes ploughing, broadsword in hand, into the Mackay's troops who
were swept away. Casualties were large on both sides. Dundee had led his
troops personally and was himself killed.
Dunkeld : 1689 - After the Battle
of Killiecrankie the victorious Jacobites attacked
Dunkeld which was in Government hands and held
by Covenanting Cameronians. The battle destroyed most of Dunkeld and the
houses seen today were built immediately after this event.
Battle of Sheriffmuir : 13th November
1715 - Government Hanoverian forces under the Duke of Argyll met the
Jacobite army of the Earl of Mar on the Ochill Hills above
Dunblane. In a particularly bloody battle the
left flanks of both armies were destroyed. Both sides claimed victory but
since Mar's 10000 had failed of overwhelm Argyll's 4000 'bad press' followed
for the Jacobites and their rebellion failed through lack of further support.
Strathearn : January 1716 -
Jacobites burnt the towns and villages of Strathearn -
Auchterarder, Blackford,
Crieff, Dunning and
Muthill - after the Battle of Sheriffmuir.
This was ordered by the Earl of Mar to deny food and shelter to the troops
of the Duke of Argyll. Comrie was spared, presumably
as the most Highland of the Strathearn towns it's sympathies were Jacobite.
Blair Castle : 1745-46 -
Blair Castle besieged by both Government
and the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie).
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