TWO Scottish clans who have been sworn enemies for centuries - the Mackenzies and the Munros - have finally agreed to bury the hatchet.
The two have had a history of bitter blood feuding since the 14th century. But clan chiefs have decided to declare a truce - saying they need to work together to help their flagging local economy and to try to attract more tourists.
Clan chiefs are not clear as to how their bitter enmity started but believe it was either over land, livestock - or a woman.
They fought on opposing sides in 1745, when the Mackenzies supported Bonnie Prince Charlie in his bid to restore the Stuart monarchy and the Munros sided with the Hanoverian Crown.
The Highland town of Dingwall was normally the centre of their battles as each sought to wrest control from the other.
Later this summer the Mackenzies have invited the Munros to their clan gathering and have asked them to join them in a torchlight procession in a gesture of their new-found solidarity.
Both sides are predicting a big turnout of the gathering in August at the Mackenzie ancestral seat, Castle Leod, at Strathpeffer.
The Mackenzie chief, John, Earl of Cromartie, said yesterday: ''The feud probably started, like these things usually do, over two people arguing over land, a woman or animals in the 14th century. I don't think we were as brutal as other fighting clans with as much blood-shedding. They got up to all sorts things like burning people outside caves.
''I think my family last invaded Dingwall in the '45, because it was Hanoverian, as were the Munros. But any enmity between the two clans has now been largely dormant. Hopefully the Mackenzies and the Munros will now become allied to fight common problems like the lack of tourists, the strength of the pound, and an uncaring Government.''
The march will also commemorate the bloodiest of the many battles between the two clans, the Battle of Druim a Chait, or the Cat's Back, a hill overlooking Strathpeffer.
Clan Mackenzie Association president Peadair Mackenzie, said: ''In 1501 Red Hector Mackenzie of Gairloch took 140 men and surprised and routed a raiding party of 900 Munros under their chief, Sir William Munro.''
The present Munro chief,
Hector Munro of Foulis, said his only problem would be raising an army of clansmen to attend the parade, as they do not have a gathering until 2002. ''I'll certainly be along - and I'll encourage as many Munros as possible to join me. It'll show that the old enemies can become the best of friends - in fact, John Cromartie and I are third cousins.''
His Mackenzie counterpart said: ''I hope it'll be a success. A lot will depend on the weather.''
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