The Battle of Harlaw, 600 years on – A Chief’s Diary
October 19, 2011
Sunday 24th July – A special civic Church service at 11.00 a.m. in the Kirk of St. Nicholas, Aberdeen, attended by most of the same people who were at the Dinner the evening before, together with the normal congregation of the Kirk. At the service, the first lesson was read by David Irvine of Drum and the second lesson by Sir Lachlan Maclean of Duart. Towards the end of the service, there took place a formal peace-making between the two Chiefs involving the exchange of swords.
The Harlaw battlefield and Monument is situated near the town of Inverurie, about 15 miles from the city of Aberdeen.
Six shields representing the following families and organisations have been added to the monument.
- The City of Aberdeen – some 40 citizens were killed in defence of the City
- Davidson – Robert Davidson the Provost of Aberdeen, killed in the battle
- The Earl of Mar – In overall command of the Lowland forces
- Maclean of Duart – Army commander of the Highland forces trying to take the City. Killed in the battle
- Donald of the Isles – In overall command of the Highland forces
- Irvine of Drum – Army commander of the Lowland forces defending the City. Killed in the battle.
Interestingly, the Maitland family who farm this land, known as Balhagarty farm, have been farmers on the same land since well before 1411, the year of Harlaw, and the present farmer, Robert Maitland, has been an interested and enthusiastic supporter of the project since it was first mooted over two years ago.
At 1.30 p.m. there was a short ceremony of re-dedication of the Monument, words spoken by the Lord Provost of the City of Aberdeen and the Provost of Aberdeenshire. David Irvine of Drum and Sir Lachlan Maclean of Duart were also asked to say a few words of reconciliation between the two families.
After lunch at Inverurie Academy, The Irvines of Drum and the Macleans of Duart returned to the battlefield, where flagpoles had been set up with the two family banners flying in a very strong wind. There we held a private ceremony, just for the two families, with descriptions of the battle read in both Gaelic and English. The banners were dipped to half-mast out of respect for Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum and Hector Maclean of Duart, who both died of their wounds following a personal contest between the two Army Commanders six hundred years earlier. The ceremony concluded with another exchange of swords between the two present day Chiefs.
Family histories recount how for some generations after the battle, such a ceremony took place as a sign of reconciliation. However, many generations having passed, we decided that it would be appropriate on this special day, to reinstate this custom.
David Irvine of Drum.
Click here to download Harlaw in pictures
