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List of wars involving Scotland

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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
  Scottish victory
  Scottish defeat
  Another result *

*e.g. a treaty or peace without a clear result, status quo ante bellum, result unknown or indecisive, inconclusive

10th and 11th centuries

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

(934–937)

Location: Whole of Scotland
Portrait of Constantine II, leader of the Scottish forces against Athelstan's invading army
Kingdom of Scotland

Norse–Gaels

Kingdom of Strathclyde

Kingdom of Dublin

Kingdom of England

Kingdom of Deheubarth

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, chief fortress of the old Kingdom of Strathclyde
Kingdom of Scotland

Kingdom of England

Kingdom of Strathclyde Scottish Victory
Invasion of Northumbria

(1039)

Location: Northumbria
17th century portrait of Duncan I, leader of the Scottish forces who would die a year later in battle with Macbeth
Kingdom of Scotland 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 village, where the peace treaty declaring William I Scotland's overlord was signed
Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of England Treaty of Abernethy

12th century

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

(1130)

Location: Angus
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
Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Moray

Kingdom of Ross

Scottish Victory
Somairle's invasion of Scotland

(1164)

Location: Renfrewshire
Stained glass window in Glasgow Bute Hall depicting Saint Kentigern, who supposedly led the Scots to divine victory over the Islemen
Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of the Isles

Kingdom of Dublin

Scottish Victory
Revolt of 1173–74

(1173–1174)

Location: England, Normandy, Scottish Borders, Brittany, and Flanders
Alnwick, market town in Northumberland where William I of Scotland was captured by supposed 'divine providence'
English Rebels under Eleanor of Aquitaine

Kingdom of Scotland

Kingdom of France

Duchy of Brittany

County of Flanders

County of Boulogne

English Royalists loyal to Henry II Scottish Defeat

13th century

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

(1262–1266)

Location: Hebrides and the Scottish West Coast
Coronation of Alexander III, who revived his father (Alexander II)'s ambitions to conquer the Western Isles - beginning the Scottish-Norwegian War
Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Norway

Kingdom of the Isles

Earldom of Orkney

Treaty of Perth
First War of Scottish Independence

(1296–1328)

Location: Scotland, England, and Ireland
Robert the Bruce addressing his troops before Bannockburn (drawing from c. 1900)
Kingdom of Scotland

Supported by:

Kingdom of France

Kingdom of Thomond

Kingdom of Uí Maine

Kingdom of Tyrconnell

Kingdom of West Breifne

Kingdom of Desmond

Kingdom of Magh Luirg

Kingdom of Oriel

Kingdom of England

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

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

(1332–1357)

Location: Scotland
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
Kingdom of Scotland

Kingdom of France

Kingdom of England

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

Kingdom of France

Crown of Castile

Republic of Genoa

Kingdom of Bohemia

Crown of Aragon

Kingdom of England

Duchy of Burgundy

Duchy of Brittany (Montfort)

Kingdom of Portugal

Kingdom of Navarre

Flanders

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
A 14th-century illustration depicting an English herald arriving on Scottish troops
Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of England Series of border skirmishes resulting in stalemate

15th century

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Conflict Scotland & allies Scotland's opposition Result

16th century

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

(1511–1513)

Location: Scottish Borders
16th century depiction of Battle of Flodden, showing Scottish pikeman battling with English halberdiers
Kingdom of Scotland

France

Duchy of Ferrara

Kingdom of England

Papal States

Venice

Holy Roman Empire

Spain

Swiss mercenaries

Scottish Defeat
The Rough Wooing

(1543–1550)

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

Kingdom of France

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

Civil wars and revolutions

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Conflict Scottish Government Rebels Result
Invasion of Moray

(1040)

Location: Moray
Fields at Pitgaveny (then known as Bothnagowan), near Elgin, where King Duncan was slain
Kingdom of Scotland Supporters of Macbeth

Kingdom of Moray

Civil War, Victory of Macbeth
Dubh's First Rebellion

(1501–1505)

Location: Scottish Hebrides
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
Kingdom of Scotland Lord of the Isles

Clan Donald

Civil War, Royalist victory
Dubh's Second Rebellion

(1545)

Location: Scottish Hebrides
Drogheda, Ireland, where the rebellion's leader Domhnall Dubh died, destroying the Hebrides' final hopes of independence
Kingdom of Scotland Lord of the Isles

Clan Donald

Kingdom of England

Civil War, Royalist victory
Marian Civil War

(1568–1573)

Location: Scotland
16th century illustration of the "Lang Siege" of Edinburgh, lasting from 1571 to 1573 and ending with supporters of James VI taking the castle
Supporters of Mary, Queen of Scots Supporters of James VI, Mary's son

Kingdom of England

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

(1639–1640)

Location: Scottish Lowlands
Signing of the National Covenant in Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh, prompting a religious civil war and rebellion in Scotland
Scottish Royalists

Kingdom of England

Scottish Covenanters Civil War, Covenanter victory
Second English Civil War

(1648)

Location: Northern England
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
Scottish Royalists

Scottish Engagers

Parliamentarians Civil War, Parliamentarian victory
Third English Civil War

(1649–1651)

Location: Scottish Lowlands and Northern England
Modern re-enactment of musketeers at the Battle of Inverkeithing, during Oliver Cromwell's invasion of Scotland
Scottish Royalists

Scottish Covenanters

Parliamentarians Civil War, Parliamentarian victory
Glorious Revolution

(1688-1689)

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
Jacobite Rebellions

(1689–1746)

Location: Scotland, England, and Ireland
Modern depiction of the Battle of Dunkeld, fought between Highland Jacobites in support of James II and Covenanters in support of William III
Scottish Williamites

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

Scottish Jacobites Civil War, Williamite victory

Clan Conflicts

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

Part of the First War of Scottish Independence

(c. 1294)

Location: Loch Awe
Loch Awe, site of the decisive clan battle, with Kilchurn Castle (seat of Clan Campbell) on the left
Clan MacDougall 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
Druim Gleann Laoigh, likely site of clan's first battle - fought over rival land claims
Clan Cameron 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 Brierachan, site of the final stand-off between the Stewarts' raiding party and the Sheriff of Angus
Clan Stewart of Buchan

Clan Robertson

Clan Mackay

Clan Ogilvy

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

Supported by:

Clan Keith

Clan Ross

Clan Gunn

Supported by:

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
King James II of Scotland, who spent his early adulthood and reign in an intense power struggle with the Earls of Douglas
Royalists loyal to House of Stewart Rebels allied to Black Douglases Clan Conflict, Victory for House of Stewart
Clan Gordon-Clan Lindsay feud

(1445–1452)

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

Supported by:

Clan Ogilvy

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

Supported by:

Clan Fraser of Lovat

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

Supported by:

Clan Munro

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
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 Munro 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
Coast north of Wick, on which a trial by combat took place in 1478 deciding the Gunn-Keith feud once and for all
Clan Gunn 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, built on the ruins of the church Clan Ross burnt with members of Clan Mackay sheltering inside
Clan Mackay 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
Bloody Bay, site of a father-son battle within Clan Donald of which Clan Maclean took the father's side
Various branches of Clan Donald 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 of Kintail, one of several sites in Ross where Clans Donald and Mackenzie clashed
Clan Donald Clan Mackenzie

Supported by:

Clan Mackay

Clan Fraser of Lovat

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, seat of Clan Cunningham; sacked and burned by Clan Montgomery in 1488
Clan Cunningham 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
Torran Dubh, the site of the first battle between Clan Mackay and Sutherland
Clan Mackay Clan Sutherland

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, 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 Sutherland Clan Sinclair Clan Conflict

See also

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