 If the battle was fought in 1452 then the Earl of Ross at the time was John MacDonald of Islay (Lord of the Isles).The battle was instigated by Donald Garbh MacIver and vassals of their chief Mackenzie of Kintail, who attempted to seize the Earl of Ross.After MacIver's plot was discovered he was imprisoned in Dingwall Castle by followers of the Earl of Ross.