Placename
Gaelic name: Lochan a' Chatha
Name in Original Source: Lochan a Chath
English meaning: Little loch of the battle
Placename feature: Tidal loch/field
Notes: This name is linked to a skirmish between the MacKenzies and the MacDonalds, in which Alasdair Goraidh MacDonald was killed. It is referenced in the article on Saint Maelrubha by Bishop Reeves, PSAS III, p. 280. <br /><br /><br /><br />Lochan a' Chatha is a small, marshy field area near Tosgaig pier. It fills with sea-water at very high spring tides. The MacDonalds were slaughtered there in a battle with the MacKenzies. They fled ' ... along the shore past Uags, Airighdriseach, Kishorn and to Lochcarron,' according to Rhoda MacNair, whereupon they changed their names to MacNair. Therefore the Lochcarron MacNairs are different to the Applecross ones, who are believed to have been descended from fugitives fleeing north after murdering the sheriff of Falkirk. One of the early Applecross MacNairs was a cattle drover. Another female MacNair worked as a servant in Clachan manse and used to sneak out of the window to meet up with her lover.
W. J. Watson's notes:
Map name appears in: Miscellaneous
Feature Co-ordinates: 57.374278,-5.811332
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