Bennachie from Harlaw, last light

The light was beautiful this evening,
so despite the odd rain shower, I took a run out to Harlaw
to catch the setting sun behind Bennachie.
This is taken from the road just past the monument to the Battle of Harlaw.
The battle of "Red" Harlaw was fought on July 24, 1411.
Donald MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, raised a Highland army to gain
control of the Earldom of Ross (to which he had a solid claim).
The lowlanders, not wanting a Gaelic chieftain to rule so much
of their territory, opposed his claim. MacDonald, with an army
estimated at ten thousand men, set out to ravage Aberdeen and
take over his earldom. The lowland forces, led by the Earl of
Mar and the Sheriff of Angus, raised troops to stop him.


As I cam in by Dunidier
And doon by Netherha',
There were fifty thoosand Hieland men
Cam mairchin' tae Harlaw.
Wi' a dree dree dradie drumtie dree
A dree dree drumtie dra.

As I cam on and further on
And doon and by Harlaw,
They fell fu' close on ilka side;
Sic fun ye never saw.

They fell fu' close on ilka side;
Sic fun ye never saw,
For Hieland swords gied clash for clash
At the battle o' Harlaw.

Brave Forbes tae his brither did say,
"Noo brither, dinna ye see?
They beat us back on ilka side,
And we'll be forced tae flee."

"O no, o no, my brither dear,
That thing maun never be;
Tak ye your gude sword in your hand
And come your wa's wi' me."

Then back tae back the brithers twa
Gaed in amang the thrang,
And they hewed doon the Hieland men
Wi' swords baith sharp and lang.

MacDonal, he was young and stout,
Had on his coat o' mail,
And he has gane oot through them a'
Tae try his hand himsel'.

The first ae strake that Forbes strack,
He gart MacDonal reel;
The niest ae strake that Forbes strack,
The great MacDonal fell.

On Monaday, at mornin',
The battle it began;
On Saturday, at gloamin',
Ye'd scarce ken wha had wan.

Gin onybody spier at ye
For them ye took awa',
Ye may tell their wives and bairnies
They're sleepin' at Harlaw.