Battle that revived the Royalist cause in Scotland during the
First Civil War. By the summer of 1644 the Covenanters felt
secure in Scotland, having defeated a Royalist rebellion, and
with the remaining Royalist leaders scattered far and wide. Thus
when a force of 1,000 Irishmen led by Alaster M'Coll Keitach
(known as Alaster McDonald) landed on the west coast in July,
the Scottish leaders were not worried. Their confidence seemed
well founded as McDonald led his men deep into the Highlands
without finding any Royalists. However, McDonald sent off a
letter to Montrose, who received them at Carlisle, and with only
two friends crossed into Scotland. Once he reached the Irish,
their situation improved. A force of Atholl clansmen sent to
oppose the Irish instantly changed sides, as did a force of
Grahams, Montrose's own clan, sent against the Irish before it
was known that Montrose was with them.  Their immediate
opponents were the covenanters army of Perth under Lord Elcho, a
force of 700 horse and 7,000 cavalry