Carse
Battle Site (Period Unknown)
Site Name Carse
Classification Battle Site (Period Unknown)
Canmore ID 38988
Site Number NR76SW 10
NGR NR 743 615
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/38988
- Council Argyll And Bute
- Parish South Knapdale
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Argyll And Bute
- Former County Argyll
NR76SW 10 743 615.
(Name: NR 743 615) Site of Conflict between the Clans McIver and Campbell (NAT)
OS 6" map, (1924)
The three standing stones described under NR76SW 1 (q.v.) are said to mark where a number of McIvers, on a cattle stealing expedition, were massacred by the Campbells, having been taken by surprise during the night. The stones mark where the McIver chiefs were killed. Over 40 years ago, when the ground nearby was being drained by the proprietor of Carse, the workmen found a helmet, curiously inlaid with gold, and several ornamental sword hilts, all of which were donated to the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland [NMAS]. (c/f finds described on NR76SW 1.)
Name Book 1868.
Leitch (1904) quotes a tradition that the McIvers were defeated here by the MacAllisters, while Mitchell (1908) states that the MacNeills were the victors over the McIvers. (See also NR76SW 12).
M Campbell and M Sandeman 1964; C Leitch 1904; D Mitchell 1908.
The local tradition is that the Clan McIver were defeated and massacred by the Campbells. The OS siting for this conflict is correct.
Visited by OS (I A) 2 July 1973.
