Raid of Angus

The Raid of Angus took place in 1391 when Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan, otherwise known as the Wolf of Badenooch raided the lands of Angus, Scotland.

Background
In 1391, King Robert II's reign was largely entrusted to his sons, Robert Stewart, Earl of Fife, and Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan. The latter, known as the “Wolf of Badenoch”, effectively sidelined his father, and operated with cruelty and terror.

The raid
Following the plunder of lands belonging to Alexander Bur, Bishop of Moray, and burning the Bishop’s Cathedral at Elgin, his son, Duncan Stewart, led a raiding force of Robertsons into Angus, where they burned, pillaged, and slaughtered. The raiders first attacked Glen Isla and Glen Esk, and in response, a small local force gathered and attacked at Glasclune. A bloody battle ensued, but the local force failed to stop the invading Robertsons, and the raiding continued up the Strathardle. Duncan Stewart was also apparently supported by Angus Mackay, 6th of Strathnaver whose aunt, Mariota Mackay, was the wife of Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchanan.

As Sheriff of Angus, Sir Walter Ogilvy of Auchterhouse, gathered a force including his allies; Sir Patrick Gray and Sir David Lindsay, and confronted the raiders at Dalnagairn, Glen Brierachan. Though charging with cavalry with heavy armor and lances, the Ogilvys were outnumbered, and Sir Walter Ogilvy, several lairds, and nearly sixty followers perished. Gray and Lindsay were seriously wounded in the fighting, but survived. An account of the battle by Andrew Wyntoun, said the following about Sir Walter Ogilvy: "Gud Schir Walter off Ogylvy, That manly knycht and that worthy Scherrave that tyme off Angus, Godlike, wis, and vertuous...."