Battle of Harlaw

The Battle of Harlaw, fought on 24 July 1411 near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, was one of the bloodiest battles in Scottish history. Donald, Lord of the Isles, sought to claim the Earldom of Ross and led a large force from the Western Isles and the Highlands towards Aberdeen. The Lowland forces, commanded by Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar, confronted Donald's army at Harlaw. Although the battle ended inconclusively with both sides sustaining heavy casualties, the Lord of the Isles' advance into Aberdeen was halted, thus preventing further potential conflict between the Highland and Lowland regions of Scotland.