Flags for MacColla

Below are the flags used on my command base for MacColla. They were made in photoshop and can be printed for use in your own armies. I painted over the printed design (see here) as I prefer the hand-painted look but that is not really necessary.

The yellow flag depicts 'the black galley' common in ancient West highland heraldry, especially amongst the MacDonalds and MacDougalls, the descendants of Somerled. It is typically taken as a representation of power and is also linked to the Lordship of the Isles. 

The white sheet depicts the infamous "red hand of Ulster", a symbol linked to Ulster since at least the 16th century, and common amongst the heraldry of the O'Neill family. It is also found in west highland heraldry especially amongst the MacDonalds. 

The flags are speculative, but the designs use symbols common in the contemporary 17th century heraldry of the MacDonalds and other west coast clans with links across the water to Ulster.  There is no evidence that flags like these were carried by MacColla, or that they even existed, but both seem like fitting motifs for the Ulster-backed MacDonald. 

I can't claim this as an original idea, it is actually borrowed from a description of MacColla in Nigel Tranter's "Montrose: Captain General". Although Tranter puts a white galley on a black sheet. I changed this to a black galley on a yellow sheet to be consistent with references to MacColla's colours at Auldearn, and to be faithful to West highland heraldry.

Below is a link to great website source on West Highland Heraldry.  Some great ideas here for flags for your highland clansmen!

West Highland Heraldry

Apologies for repetition, but I wanted to include the flag information, previously published here, in this post too.

MacColla Command Base WIP

Quick update on my brigade command base featuring Maj. General Alasdair MacColla, near legendary commander of the Irish Brigade. The Litko 60mm round bases arrived last night so settled on final layout and finished up the new flags.

I was thinking of adding a Covenanter casualty model behind MacColla as well as some detritus of battle (helmet, musket etc) but it just looked too busy so will likely stick with just the big man and his personal standard bearers.

The flags are speculative, but the designs use symbols common in the contemporary 17th century heraldry of the MacDonalds and other west coast clans with links across the water to Ulster. The yellow flag depicts 'the black galley' common in ancient West highland heraldry, especially amongst the MacDonalds and MacDougalls, the descendants of Somerled. It is typically taken as a representation of power and is also linked to the Lordship of the Isles. 

The white sheet depicts the infamous "red hand of Ulster", a symbol linked to Ulster since at least the 16th century, and common amongst the heraldry of the O'Neill family. It is also found in west highland heraldry especially amongst the MacDonalds. 

There is no evidence that flags like these were carried by MacColla, or that they even existed, but both seem like fitting motifs for the Ulster-backed MacDonald. I can't claim this as an original idea, it is actually borrowed from a description of MacColla in Nigel Tranter's "Montrose: Captain General". Although Tranter puts a white galley on a black sheet. I changed this to a black galley on a yellow sheet to be consistent with references to MacColla's colours at Auldearn, and to be faithful to West highland heraldry.

Will post the finished command base soon, together as well as the flag sheets. 

MacColla's Lifeguard ready to take the field

Managed to get some time to complete the flags and basing so MacColla's chosen men are ready for battle. Didn't get time to set up a proper photo shoot on the table with scenery (maybe later), which is a shame as last week I also painted up 3 new houses for the village of Auldearn that would have made a great back drop.

I have included MacColla in the unit accompanied by a trusty bodyguard armed with lochaber axe. He is based separately so can be removed if he is not with his lifeguard. I am also preparing a separate MacColla command base for 'Pike and Shotte', using my other MacColla model so he can also make an appearance in his more typical role as brigade commander.

The lifeguard is made up of a mix of highland and Irish shot, representing MacColla's most trusted Irish veterans and Hebridean clansmen. I have chosen to represent the unit as a kind of 'elite' commanded shot, rather than as traditionally armed highlanders with claymore's etc, although I have given one personal bodyguard figure a lochaber axe, and he is based with MacColla.

Most figures are Eureka ECW Irish and Highlanders. There are also four Perry figures; the two Ensigns, the Irish Captain with pistol, and the Irish musketeer in floppy hat.

The lifeguard companies were picked from amongst the 3 regiments of the Irish brigade, and Reid in his Osprey on Auldearn estimates there were about 140 men in the unit at the battle. At 1:10 this is 14 figures, and the unit can be fielded as a "standard" sized shot unit. Some play testing will determine whether or not this unit should be fielded as commanded Irish shot with 'elite 4+' or as the hard bastards included in the Scots Royalist army list in the 'Pike and Shotte' rule book, which should be fielded as a 'small' sized unit.

For flags this unit gets another couple of Irish sheets from the True Informer list, including the famous yellow sheet featured in the Osprey MAA on Scots in the English Civil War. As usual, I will share the flags on the blog, with more info as soon as I get some time to post them.

Finally, this is the unit in their new movement tray, made from the GW plastic tray kit. The tray still needs to be painted and textured.

Next unit up on painting table is Gordon of Monymore's Regt, they are the black primed figures in the background, and then onto the Gordon Horse...

MacColla's Lifeguard WIP 4

Lifeguard all painted and ready for basing. Basing scheme shown. Working of the flags for this unit just now. Will give the Lifeguard another pair of Irish flags, most likely with yellow and white fields. I also have a couple of 'personal' flags for MacColla, which I will use on a "Pike and Shotte" Command Base. You may notice the small pieces of Foundry blister card I use to jack up the bases. Despite the fact that real folks have different heights, aesthetically I just like less big height differences in my units.

The remaining photos are some other odds and ends I have also recently completed and ready to base. I have a couple of MacColla's from Eureka. The original figure (just below) I will base in such away that he can be placed amongst his Lifeguard. 

My other MacColla (below) is a conversion based on Angus McBride's Auldearn plate in the Osprey "Highland Clansmen". Added bunnet, beard, sporran, targe (on back) and shoulder belt. He will go on a command base with the two highland ensigns carrying his personal standards.

Below are a couple of spare highland pikemen/axemen. They are destined for Monymore's Regt...

Next is some spare Perry Irish Command, a sergeant (left) and officer (right), who are ready for the third and final Irish Regiment and a Eureka Irish priest (centre) who will probably end up as a covenanting minister (although the crucifix may have to be carefully removed for that).

A Foundry officer, painted as a Royalist and who will end up on an Irish command base. Love the pipe and the flamboyant hat.

Finally, my first attempt at a couple of Warlord figures. On the left is a metal piper for the Scottish Infantry box set, and on the right a plastic musketeer with firelock. Nice figures. They are taller than Perry and Eureka, but very similar to Bicorne is size. You probably wouldn't want to mix them in the same unit but the difference is not so noticeable with paint on, so they look fine on the table with the Perry sized stuff. They paint up nice, even the plastic chap with the face only a mother could love.

Second Irish Regiment WIP

As my co-blogger in Houston has recently shared some WIP photos of his cavalry horses, I thought I would post some WIP photos of my second Irish Regiment for Auldearn. I have recently completed 24 Irish musketeers, which will form 2 shot sleeves of 12 each. I have also completed a couple of Scots government casualties that will be used to add some interest to the multi-figure bases. This regiment will be depicted in a desperate charge, the typical tactic the Irish used to bring their battles to a close. The figures are the excellent Eureka Irish, in charging poses, some clubbing with muskets. The casualties and Irish sergeant are Perry figures.

The unfinished bases are shown (above) arranged as per the final unit basing, with 2x12 man shot sleeves, plus the central pike block of 16, comprising 12 pikemen plus 4 command (Leader, Drummer and 2 Ensigns).

Close up of some of the Irish shot. The chap in the green smock with maroon trews (far left, middle distance), is painted as a tribute the the Sealed Knot re-enactors of "Laghtnan's Irish Regiment" who in earlier days wore this livery as a speculative uniform. Nowadays they wear the more accepted hodden grey of course.

Above, a couple of unfortunate Covenanters fall victim to the murderous irish mercenaries.

I have also included a shot of a new MacColla conversion. I have modified the Eureka MacColla figure with the addition of a beard, Scots blue bonnet, sporran and highland targe slung on back with shoulder strap. All were added with green stuff, with the targe coming from Bicorne. The green tartan trews and some highlights on the sporran are the only painting unfinished. The conversion and paint scheme is based on the depiction of MacColla by Angus McBride in the Osprey "Highland Clansmen" (Warrior 21), a beautiful painting in which he is shown desperately defending a cottage in the village of Auldearn during the heat of the battle. He can be seen below with the Perry sergeant, who will be joining the charging Irish.

I am presently working on Eureka charging pikemen (with half-pikes) and Perry Advancing command and hope to have the entire unit ready soon. I will post another WIP when the pike and command are complete.

Alasdair MacColla, "The Devastator"

MacColla was appointed commander of the Irish Brigade by the Earl of Antrim. He landed the brigade in Scotland in July 1644, and in August the force met Montrose in Atholl where the King's standard was raised marking the start of Montrose's campaign in Scotland.

This rather dandy MacColla is produced by Eureka. He is an exceptionally tall figure, reflecting the description of MacColla in Celtic poetry as being 7 feet tall.