Historical archery in Strathardle
From at least the time of Malcolm Canmore, Strathardle, then known as Strath na Muice Brice (the Glen of the Brindled Boar), was the venue for many a royal hunt. The area was heavily wooded and tenants were commonly obliged to plant trees such as ash, traditionally used for arrows. Our research shows archers here may have used a form of recurve bow.
The Cam Ruadh
John Grant, alias The Cam Ruadh [one-eyed red head], was the area's most famous archer. He lived in Glen Taitneach but frequently came to the aid of the Strathardle folk in defense of their cattle and goods target by caterans from Lochaber. In the 1640s such raids were frequent and threatened to starve the Strathardle populace.
Of the many tales told of his exploits, perhaps the most intriguing occurred within bowshot of our own archery course...
The Cam Ruadh devised a plan to put an end to the raids. There was a white cow amongst the standard black herd. He made lame this beast then lay in wait for the 'caterans'. In the middle of the night they showed up and efficiently gathered every last beast. The Cam Ruadh followed them quietly in the dark. The lame white cow was of course soon at the back of the herd. Her pale shape was also the only thing that could be seen in the mirky darkness. When The Cam Ruadh heard her being hit with a stick he took aim a little behind her and shot into the night. Several of the raiders were in turn sent back to urge on the slower beasts, all of whom fell silently to the arrows of the Cam Ruadh.
Panic soon took hold of the surviving caterans who fled for their lives. But the Cam Ruadh overtook them at the place where the Allt Chroskie joins the river Ardle [near the entrance to the archery course] and there they met their ends. It is said that the stones of the burn were stained red with their blood, and the place has ever since been shunned after dusk.
Email Strathardle Archers
From at least the time of Malcolm Canmore, Strathardle, then known as Strath na Muice Brice (the Glen of the Brindled Boar), was the venue for many a royal hunt. The area was heavily wooded and tenants were commonly obliged to plant trees such as ash, traditionally used for arrows. Our research shows archers here may have used a form of recurve bow.
The Cam Ruadh
John Grant, alias The Cam Ruadh [one-eyed red head], was the area's most famous archer. He lived in Glen Taitneach but frequently came to the aid of the Strathardle folk in defense of their cattle and goods target by caterans from Lochaber. In the 1640s such raids were frequent and threatened to starve the Strathardle populace.
Of the many tales told of his exploits, perhaps the most intriguing occurred within bowshot of our own archery course...
The Cam Ruadh devised a plan to put an end to the raids. There was a white cow amongst the standard black herd. He made lame this beast then lay in wait for the 'caterans'. In the middle of the night they showed up and efficiently gathered every last beast. The Cam Ruadh followed them quietly in the dark. The lame white cow was of course soon at the back of the herd. Her pale shape was also the only thing that could be seen in the mirky darkness. When The Cam Ruadh heard her being hit with a stick he took aim a little behind her and shot into the night. Several of the raiders were in turn sent back to urge on the slower beasts, all of whom fell silently to the arrows of the Cam Ruadh.
Panic soon took hold of the surviving caterans who fled for their lives. But the Cam Ruadh overtook them at the place where the Allt Chroskie joins the river Ardle [near the entrance to the archery course] and there they met their ends. It is said that the stones of the burn were stained red with their blood, and the place has ever since been shunned after dusk.
Email Strathardle Archers
