The Battle of Harlaw was an incredibly bloody battle fought in Scotland on July 24, 1411. Two men, Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, Regent of Scotland, and Donald, Lord of the Isles, believed they had rightful claim to the Earldom of Ross, which was a sizable chunk of land in Northern Scotland. Several thousand men fought for it, and over a thousand men died. In the end, nobody really won.
It was a petty fight over land, but it is an important part of Scottish history. Harlaw is the subject of a great deal of folk music, literature, and legends. Bonnie Rideout, an incredible (American) Scottish musician, released a two-disk album dedicated to the event, "Harlaw, 1411." On the first disk is a collection of traditional songs inspired by the battle. On the second disk are interviews, commentary, and anecdotes about the history. One piece that I particularly liked was Alan MacDonald reciting (accompanied by fiddle and pipes) the Brosnachadh (brɑz-nə-χɑʔ), Clan Donald's Incitement to battle, written by Lachlann Mór MacMhuiric earlier in 1411.
I spent a long time yesterday looking for the text, and I finally found it here today. I want to learn to recite it myself, but it's going to take a while; the pronunciation is so difficult. In the mean time, I'm going to put the text here, so I can have it on hand.
A Chlanna Cuinn, cuimhnichibh
Cruas an am na h-iorghaile:
Gu h-àirneach, gu h-arranta,
Gu h-athlamh, gu h-allanta,
Gu beòdha, gu barramhail,
Gu brioghmhor, gu buan-fheargach,
It was a petty fight over land, but it is an important part of Scottish history. Harlaw is the subject of a great deal of folk music, literature, and legends. Bonnie Rideout, an incredible (American) Scottish musician, released a two-disk album dedicated to the event, "Harlaw, 1411." On the first disk is a collection of traditional songs inspired by the battle. On the second disk are interviews, commentary, and anecdotes about the history. One piece that I particularly liked was Alan MacDonald reciting (accompanied by fiddle and pipes) the Brosnachadh (brɑz-nə-χɑʔ), Clan Donald's Incitement to battle, written by Lachlann Mór MacMhuiric earlier in 1411.
I spent a long time yesterday looking for the text, and I finally found it here today. I want to learn to recite it myself, but it's going to take a while; the pronunciation is so difficult. In the mean time, I'm going to put the text here, so I can have it on hand.
A Chlanna Cuinn, cuimhnichibh
Cruas an am na h-iorghaile:
Gu h-àirneach, gu h-arranta,
Gu h-athlamh, gu h-allanta,
Gu beòdha, gu barramhail,
Gu brioghmhor, gu buan-fheargach,
Gu calma, gu curanta,
Gu cròdha, gu cath-bhuadhach,
Gu dùr is gu dàsannach,
Gu dian is gu deagh-fhulang,
Gu h-èasgaidh, gu h-eaghnamhach,
Gu h-éidith', gu h-eireachdail,
Gu fortail, gu furachail,
Gu frithir, gu forniata,
Gu gruamach, gu gràinemhail,
Gu gleusta, gu gaisgeamhail,
Gu h-ullamh, gu h-iorghaileach,
Gu h-olla-bhorb, gu h-àibheiseach,
Gu h-innil, gu h-inntinneach,
Gu h-iomdha, gu h-iomghonach,
Gu laomsgar, gu làn-athlamh,
Gu làidir, gu luath-bhuilleach,
Gu mearghanta, gu mór-chneadhach,
Gu meanmnach, gu mìleanta,
Gu neimhneach, gu naimhdeamhail,
Gu niatach, gu neimh-eaglach,
Gu h-obann, gu h-olla-ghnìomhach,
Gu h-oirdheirc, gu h-oirbheartach,
Gu prap is gu prìomh-ullamh,
Gu prosta, gu prionnsamhail,
Gu ruaimneach, gu ro-dhàna,
Gu ro-bhorb, gu rìoghamhail,
Gu sanntach, gu sèanamhail,
Gun socair, gu sàr-bhuailteach,
Gu teannta, gu togarrach,
Gu talcmhor, gu traigh-èasgaidh,
Gu h-urlamh, gu h-ùr-mhaiseach,
Do chosnadh na cath-làthrach
Re bronnaibh bhar biodhbhadha.
A Chlanna Cuinn Cèad-chathaich
A nois uair bhar n-aitheanta,
A chuileanan confadhach,
A leómhannan làn-ghasta,
A onchonaibh iorghaileach,
Chaoiribh chròdha, churanta
De Chlanna Cuin Cèad-chathaich --
A Chlanna Cuinn, cuimhnichibh
Cruas an am na h-iorghaile.
TRANSLATION:
O Children of Conn, remember
Hardihood in time of battle:
Be watchful, be daring,
Be dextrous, winning renown,
Be vigorous, pre-eminent,
Be strong, nursing your wrath,
Be stout, brave,
Be valiant, triumphant,
Be resolute and fierce,
Be forceful and stand your ground,
Be nimble, valorous,
Be well-equipped, handsomely accoutred,
Be dominant, watchful,
Be fervid, pugnaciou,
Be dour, inspiring fear,
Be ready for action, warrior-like,
Be prompt, warlike,
Be exceedingly fierce, recklessly daring,
Be prepared, willing,
Be numerous, giving battle,
Be fiery, fully-ready,
Be strong, dealing swift blows,
Be spirited, inflicting great wounds,
Be stout-hearted, martial,
Be venomous, implacable,
Be warrior-like, fearless,
Be swift, performing great deeds,
Be glorious, nobly powerful,
Be rapid in movement, very quick,
Be valiant, princely,
Be active, exceedingly bold,
Be exceedingly fierce, king-like,
Be eager, successful,
Be unflurried, string excellent blows,
Be compact in your ranks, elated,
Be vigorous, nimble-footed,
Be ready, fresh and comely,
In winning the battle
Against your enemies.
O Children of Conn of the Hundred Battles,
Now is the time for you to win recognition,
O raging whelps,
O sturdy heroes,
O most sprightly lions,
O battle-loving warriors,
O brave, heroic firebrands,
The Children of Conn of the Hundred Battles --
O Children of Conn, remember
Hardihood in the time of battle.
I saw this epic poem at the Armadale Castle museum on the Isle of Skye in August 2025. Some of the lines -- particularly "Be strong, nursing your wrath," "Be resolute and fierce," and "Be exceedingly fierce, recklessly daring" helped me to process some of the feelings with which I have been struggling following numerous deployments into conflict countries. In another age, these might have been lifelong virtues. In our time, they serve their purpose in combat, but are wholly unsuited for civilized society once the battles are over and home we come.
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