Altimarlach, Caithness

In 1882-4, Frances Groome's Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland described Altimarlach like this:

Altimarlach, a burn in the parish of Wick, Caithness, flows through the Loch of Winless, and falls into Wick Water, 4 miles to the W of the town. Its banks were the scene of a famous conflict on 13 July 1680, between the Campbells and the Sinclairs. Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy, afterwards Earl of Breadalbane, claimed the Earldom of Caithness, but was resisted in his claim by George Sinclair of Keiss: and, to enforce it, marched at the head of 700 Argyll Highlanders from the banks of the Tay to beyond the promontory of the Ord. ...

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Keiss, on his part, was revelling with 400 followers at Wick, when tidings reached him, ' The Campbells are coming. ' All mad with drink, his men rushed out to the fight, were instantly routed, and fell in such numbers that ' the victors crossed the Altimarlach dry-shod on their bodies: ' but Keiss next year obtained the earldom by award of Parliament.

Altimarlach through time

Altimarlach is now part of HIGHLAND Council. Click here for graphs and data of how HIGHLAND has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Altimarlach itself, go to Statistics.

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