Dundee March 1645

Towards the end of March, 1645, Montrose was pursuing the Covenanter General Hurry across the River Esk to Dundee, a town that had previously resisted Montrose. The city was attacked by Alastair McColl and his Antrim soldiers along with troops led by Lord George Gordon, a younger son of the Marquis of Huntly.

A formal surrender was being concluded when a message was received that Generals Baillie and Hurry with 3000 Covenanting foot soldiers and 800 cavalry were just outside the city. Montrose retired very quickly to Arbroath with his small force of about 700.

The Covenanting generals rested the night at Forfar, thinking that they had Montrose bottled up, and planned to deal with him the following morning. But during the night Montrose daringly took his army past the Covenanters and escaped via Kerriemuir to South Esk. Learning that more of his troops had escaped he made a forced march of three days and two nights to escape into the Grampian mountains.

Auldearn May 9, 1645

The next conflict was on May 9, 1645, at the village of Auldearn near Nairn. On this occasion Montrose's forces were outnumbered by the army of Sir John Hurry assisted by George MacKenzie, the Second Earl of Seaforth; John the thirteenth Earl of Sutherland; and James Ogilvy First Earl of Findlater.

In this battle the royal standard was entrusted to Alastair McColl and his Irishmen. Montrose could only allow about 400 troops for the defence of the Standard and instructed McColl to stay within the trenches where they were placed. But in the heat of battle the Irishman could not resist a dash at the enemy and he and his band were instantly surrounded. It required a supreme effort to fight their way back to the trenches.

While holding the rearguard McColl broke his sword and his brother-in-law Davidson of Ardnacross, handed him his during which Davidson was mortally wounded. For his impetuosity McColl had 17 of his officers and veterans wounded but the royal standard was safe. The MacDonalds and the Gordons performed especially well and at the end of the day over 2000 Covenanters lay dead.