Colkitto!

 This is a somewhat obscure tome written by Kevin Byrne, which I picked up in a secondhand bookshop. It celebrates Clan Donald of Colonsay, 1570-1647. It is less obscure when I explain that the most famous clan member during this period was Alasdair MacCholla, the commander of Montrose's Irish Brigade, the best units in his army during the high point of his campaign during the Civil Wars.

 Colonsay is a small island (8 miles by 3 miles) west of Islay and Jura. I have never been, although there is a daily ferry (two and half hours) from Oban in the summer and a weekly flight in a light aircraft.

This book focuses on the period before that campaign and gives a fascinating insight into island clan warfare. Despite its remote position, the island was fought over many times, often as part of a broader struggle between Clan MacDonald, the former Lords of the Isles, and the growing influence of the Campbells. As the leader of Clan Campbell, the Duke of Argyll used his influence in government to promote the conflict as a national one, subduing rebels.

The battles usually involved reasonably small numbers of clansmen, although Spanish and English mercenaries appeared in some of the early clashes. The last full-scale clan battle was fought on 5 August 1598 at Traigh Ghruineart (Loch Gruinart Strand) on nearby Islay. However, most actions were relatively small and over more minor matters than national security. On 11 January 1616, one Duncan MacDougall had designs on the Prior of Oransay's daughter (priests often had families in this period). When rebuffed, he decided to gather his pals and sail over to ravish her. His plans came to nought when they discovered her remote village was also home to several hundred heavily armed rebels!

Many other such actions are described in detail before we get to the Civil Wars period. This includes the campaigns in Ireland, which preceded the better-known mainland campaign. Colonsay was laid waste during these campaigns, increasing the animosity between Alasdair MacCholla and the Campbells. This resulted in Montrose losing his best units at vital times. The feud with the Campbells was always more important than the Royalist cause.

After the disaster at Philiphaugh in 1646, Alasdair continued the fight in the islands. His father was treacherously captured and executed, although Argyll was to join him not long after during the Restoration. Alastair was murdered during the fighting in Ireland.

Outwith the Tourist Information Office on Colonsay, I doubt this book has a great circulation. However, it filled some gaps in my knowledge of the period and helped my Civil Wars project. Pikeman's Lament looks like the best set of rules for the small battles described in this book.

My 15mm Highland Clansmen of the period.