Inverlochy Sunday Feb 2nd 1645
Dec 13
1644		 Montrose divided his force into three separate armies which spent six weeks burning, pillaging and destroying everything they came across in the county of Argyle. MacColla's clansmen were not so much in favour of the King as they were against the Campbells...
Montrose then marched his armies north, through Glencoe and Lochaber on his way to Loch Ness. Montrose' intention was to capture Inverness, hoping to persuade the northern clans to join him.
Major-general William Baillie arrives with a force of 1100 men from Leven's army in England to assist Argyle in defeating Montrose. There was some friction between Argyle and Baillie as to who was in charge of the Covenanters' army.
Feb 1
1645		 Montrose was about 30 miles further north when he heard that Argyle's army had arrived at Inverlochy. He quickly turned south and marched his men across the mountains to Glennevis.

Inverlochy Castle.
Feb 2 The sounds of Montrose's trumpets announces his presence to the men of Argyle's army.

Montrose draws out his army in an extended line - Irish to the right (MacColla), the Athole men in the centre with the Sturats of Appin, the MacDonalds of Glencoe and other Highlanders. On the left were Irish troops under Col. O'Kean.

Argyle's men now under the command of Campbell of Auchinbreck formed up with Lowland troops on the left and right with Highland men in the centre. Behind them stood a reserve of Highlanders with a field cannon. 50 men defended the castle with muskets.

 ..the Marquis of Argyle took to a boat on the loch claiming he was suffering from some bruises he had received from a fall some days earlier.
Montrose started his attack on the left with O'Kean's men advancing. Argyle's men were unable to resist and turned and fled.

This was followed by an attack in the centre and right. The flight of the men on their left discouraged Argyle's men so much that they fired one shot from their muskets and turned and ran. This turned into a general rout.

A party of 200 men tried to retreat back to the castle but were cut off by a party of Montrose's men under Sir Thomas Ogilvie. Most of Argyle's men fled into the hills pursued for up to eight miles...many died.

Montrose tried to save the defeated enemy from the fury of his men after the battle but 1500 were killed. The Royalists lost only a handful of men.

  

 

Sir Thomas Ogilvie died a few days later from a wound he received in his thigh.

Royalists : Montrose, O'Kean, MacColla, Sir Thomas Ogilvie, Ronald Og

Parliamentarians (Covenanters) : Campbell of Auchinbreck, William Baillie, Campbell of Lochnell, MacDougall of Rara, Major Menzies.

 

  

General Campbell of Auchinbreck was killed in the battle.
This was yet another in a string of victories by Montrose against superior numbers.

After the battle, Montrose led his men through Badenoch, northwards along the Spey intending to take Inverness. He changed his mind when he saw that it was well defended and moved towards Elgin.
Feb 19 Montrose entered Elgin.