When Scots routed the invaders

THE millennium anniversary of the Battle of Mortlach will be celebrated in Dufftown during three days of festivities this summer, culminating in a re-enactment of the battle in which the Scots, commanded by King Malcolm II, defeated the Vikings, on 4 July.

The Battle of Mortlach was fought in 1010 after the invading Viking horde, marching down Speyside, were confronted by the Scottish army near the chapel of Mortlach, close to Dufftown.

According to legend, three Scottish thains were slain in the early stages of the battle. Staring defeat in the face, the king is reputed to have fallen on his knees, facing the chapel, and prayed to God and St Moluag – a contemporary of St Columba – for victory. During the ensuing rout, King Malcolm is said to have thrown the Danish general, Enetus, off his horse and strangled him.

According to one account of the battle: "The Scots pursued the Vikings up towards Balvenie Castle with great slaughter by the victorious Scots.

"Afterwards, in the grounds of the castle they dug the grave pits where the dead bodies were thrown."

King Malcolm is said to have vowed to build a cathedral on the site of the chapel to mark his victory. But history records: "In fact, he made the chapel three spear-lengths longer – a spear-length is four metres."