Bonar Bridge April 27, 1650

Montrose escaped from the disaster at Philliphaugh into the Highlands and from there he went to Holland and Norway. Still loyal to his king, now Charles II (who was double dealing and negotiating with the Covenanters even while Montrose fought) he had one a last gamble landing in the Orkneys in March 1650 with 1200 continental mercenaries.

Unfortunately for Montrose, he could gather little help and met with the Covenanter forces under Colonel Strachan at Carbisdale near Bonar Bridge on April 27, 1650. Here the Royalist fortunes took a severe battering with some 500 killed, 200 drowned and 250 captured. Montrose himself was seized a week later by Neil Macleod of Assynt at Ardvreck Castle.

Time was short for Montrose, as he had already been convicted and sentenced in 1644. There was no trial and he was sent to Edinburgh for execution. Come the day of execution, May 21, 1650, it is recorded that he was resplendently dressed in rich scarlet, overlaid with silver lace, white gloves and silken stockings as if going to a wedding.

Covenanters Killed Tippermuir 3,000 Aberdeen 800 Fivy unknown Inveraray 900 Inverlochy 1,700 Auldearn 2,000 Alford 700 Kilsyth 3,000 Total 12,100 and probably many more.

He was hung in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh. After he was dead his head was severed, as was the custom for alleged traitors, and placed on a spike at the Tolbooth and his other limbs were distributed to the four major cities of Scotland for display in places of prominence. Montrose's remains stayed exposed for 11 years until he was finally laid to rest in St. Giles's Kirk.

Postscript.

Some historians tend to understate the contribution of the Irish troops supplied by the Earl of Antrim. They were not by any means the local militia drummed up for service, or wild hairy men from out of the bogs, but seasoned full-time soldiers who had been fighting in Flanders. Moreover, with a proper command structure they were disciplined in battle; they had developed their own novel tactics which proved very successful, and; they were led by a charismatic as well as brave leader in Alastair McColl.

Today we might compare them as akin to Commandos or Rangers who lived off the land, travelled quickly often over rough terrain and who struck decisively at their objective before moving on to the next task. The opportunity to take revenge on their ancient enemy the Campbells was undoubtedly the governing factor and also their weakness, much preferring to gain revenge on their old enemy than fight for a foreign king who cared little for them.

Meet the Author, Brian Orr, Researcher with The Guild of One Name Studies

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Part One: The Covenanters: Who Were They?
Part Two : The Kirk and its Impact on the People
Part Three : Tales of the Covenanters
Part Four : What's in a Name?
Part Five : The Sanquhar Declaration
Part Six : Covenanter Ships: The Eaglewing, The Crown and Henry & Francis
Part Seven : Female Covenanters: Execution by Drowning
Part Eight : Covenanter Prisons: Bass Rock and Dunnattor Castle
Part Nine : Greyfriars Kirk and the National Covenant
Part Ten : Battle of Rullion Green
Part Eleven : Rev. James Renwick, Martyr
Part Twelve : Presbyterians in Ireland
Part Thirteen: The Final Word on the Solway Martyrs
Part Fourteen: The Margaret Wilson Statue
Part Fifteen: After the National Covenant