Campbell lands - Inveraray December 1644 - January 1645

Montrose returned to Blair Athol to be rejoined by Alexander McColl who had been on a recruitment drive in the northwest. With him were John of Moydart, Captain of Clanranald and 500 men; Keppoch and his men from Lochaber; the Stewarts of Appin, the warriors of Knoidart, Glengarry, Glennenis and Glencoe; Camerons from Lochy and Farquharsons of Braemar.

These had all suffered under Argyll's fire and sword attacks and it was resolved that they should similarly retaliate. The Montrose forces were divided into three divisions, one under Montrose, a second led by Alexander McColl and the third under John of Moydart.

They descended on the Campbell lands between December 13, 1644, and January 29, 1645, burning homes and raiding for cattle throughout in Glenurchy, Inverawe, Lawers in Breadelbane and then to Auchenbrach in Kintyre. They left 900 Campbell soldiers dead in their wake.

The Marquis of Argyll had been at Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne and when he heard that Montrose was actually coming through the Highlands he fled, taking a fishing boat on the loch and to all intents and purposes abandoning his people.

Tales vary whether this was cowardice or that he was strongly advised by the ruling Covenanters to save himself - he was no use to them if dead. But it is quite likely that the common people of Argyll felt abandoned by his action and chose not to resist the plundering forces of Montrose.