History of the Frasers of Lovat

82 HISTORY OF THE FRASERS.
twelve trusty followers, and set out in search of his father
and clan, whom he met at the head of Loch Lochy in time
to join in the fray. The contest began with the discharge
of arrows at a distance ; but when their shafts were spent,
both parties rushed to close combat, and, attacking each
other furiously with their two-handed swords and axes, a
dreadful slaughter ensued. Such was the heat of the
weather, it being the month of July, that the combatants
threw off their plaids, coats, and vests, and fought in their
shirts ; whence the battle received the name of ' Blar-na-
leine,' or The Field of Shirts. At length the Frasers,
after fighting with the greatest bravery, were obliged to
retire ; but, unfortunately, Bean Cleireach and his detach-
ment, having missed their way, were unable to render any
assistance to their clansmen, and the pass which they
should have occupied being seized by the Clanranald, the
Frasers thus hemmed in, were, after a desperate and un-
availing struggle, almost entirely cut to pieces."* So far
Gregory's version, somewhat abridged. That historian is
more generous to the character of Bean Cleireach than he
probably deserves. Mr Fraser-Mackintosh, however, is of
opinion that Bean acted a treacherous part throughout,
describes him as "a wretch," and says that he "had been
rewarded for his treachery by the Bailieship of Stratherrick "
by the young lord, who immediately and directly benefitted
by the death of his father and eldest brother at Kinloch-
lochy.
The author of the manuscript in the Advocates' Library
gives a long account of the fight and the events which led
up to it, including the address supposed to have been
delivered by Lord Lovat to his followers just before the
battle, of so interesting a nature, though somewhat inac-
curate in certain unimportant details, that we make the
following extracts at the risk of some little repetition. The
writer says — " There was indeed a rancour of some standing
betwixt Lord Lovat and the Captain of Clanranald that
looked likely some time or other to break into a flame that
* Highlands and Isles, pp. 158-163.