 John, 12th of Clanranald, took part in the wars with Montrose, joining Montrose and Alasdair MacColla, son of Colla Ciotach, at the Battle of Inverlochy in 1645.Soon after he returned to his lands to raise more of his clan to find the garrison of Mingarry had been attacked by the Earl of Argyll.He then defeated Argyll and reinforced the garrison.