Scots battlefield from the 17th century for sale

December 13, 2019 | Uncategorized

The site where one of Scotland’s finest ever military commanders was finally defeated and captured is up for sale in Sutherland.

Presented to the market by Bell Ingram at offers over £70,000, Carbisdale Battlefield near Bonar Bridge comprises 53-acres of heather moor, pine woodland and open burns.

Carbisdale is significant as the last battle of James Graham, the 1st Marquis of Montrose, in support of the Royalist cause. His spectacular victories, which took his opponents by surprise, are remembered in military history for their tactical brilliance.

However, following his defeat at Philiphaugh in 1645, Montrose fled abroad only to be re-appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Scotland by Charles II and return to Scotland in 1650.

In March 1650 he landed in Orkney then moved south to try to raise an army of Highlanders. However, he failed, and on April 27, 1650, his small force was defeated at the Battle of Carbisdale.

Trees at the site of the Carbisdale Battlefield

The battle was a decisive victory for the Covenanter forces arrayed against Montrose, with his forces routed almost without firing a shot. Montrose himself escaped the field but he was handed over to the Covenanters a few days later and taken to Edinburgh to hear his sentence, then hung, drawn and quartered on May 21, 1650.

Carbisdale also marks the end of the internal struggles within Scotland as part of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Their subsequent agreement with Charles II meant the Covenanters came into open conflict with Oliver Cromwell and the Protectorate instead, rather than Royalist supporters in their own lands.

Joanne Stennett, from Bell Ingram, says: ‘This is a unique opportunity to own your piece of Scottish history in the form of Carbisdale Battlefield.

‘Almost half the ground is designated as Native Woodland by the Forestry Commission Scotland, and there is an opportunity to improve and extend the native species across the whole area to create a significant block of eco-friendly land. Alternatively, a mix of amenity
and commercial woodland is also possible, with the benefit of current government funding for tree planting.

‘No application has yet been made for a dwelling house, but a site could be found, subject to necessary planning consents, for the sensitive development of a family house in keeping with the beautiful surroundings.’

For more information or to arrange a viewing, contact Joanne Stennett on 01463 717799 or joanne.stennett@bellingram.co.uk.

For more details visit HERE.