Houses of Interest: Strathclyde

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The second of the ECWtravelogue posts from its grand summer Scottish road trip.

Ayr Citadel was started in 1652 during the Interregnum, and possibly never finished. The site of the fort  is outlined by Montgomorie Terrace, Arran Terrace, Ailsa Place and Bruce Crescent. What had been built was demolished upon the Restoration.

The Battle of Kilsyth took place on the 15th August 1645. Having won victories at Tippermuir, Aberdeen, Fyvie, Inverlochy, Auldearn and Alford, Montrose attempted to break into the Lowlands. From Alford, Montrose headed south along the east coast making for Glasgow. Two Covenanter forces, under Argyll and Baillie, following in pursuit. By nightfall on the 14th August, Montrose was camped in the area around Colzium Castle, his forces consisted of about 3000 foot, with up to 600 cavalry and dragoons.  

The Covenanters numbered between 3500 and 7000. The two sides met in the area that is now covered by Banton Loch. The traditional deployment has the two sides facing one another east to west, Montose's line being about halfway across the loch, the Covenanters just to the eats of the loch. A 2002 reassessment of the battle has the two sides on either side of the loch, the Covenanters to the north and Montrose to the south.

the west end of Banton Loch, looking north

The Covenater army was subject to the approval of the "Committee of Estates", and the order to attack became mired in bureaucracy. Baillie was ordered to attempt to flank Montrose, rather than a direct attack. Montrose seized this unexpected opportunity, and sent his cavalry and Highlanders against the Covenanter column. The mass Montrose's men subsequently joined in the attack. Baillie's army soon broke and ran in the face of the  "Highland Charge" by Clan Maclean.

Approximately three-quarters of the Covenanter troops perished. Baillie fled south with an escort of cavalry, but was caught in Dullatur Bog, a marshy area lying between the head waters of the Kelvin and the Bonny. He managed to escape, although he left most of his escort behind, and reached safety at Stirling Castle.


Banton Loch, looking north east

What's there now?

The battlefield is now lost under Banton Loch. A memorial was unveiled on the southern banks of the loch by the Montrose Society in 2003. Parking is available on the lane close to Castle Cottage, just off the Stirling Road. Look out for the entrance gates to Colzium Lennox Estate, the lane you can park on is located adjacent to the impressive gateway.

Kilsyth memorial

Montrose's campsite near Colzium Castle, now formally called Colzium Lennox Park, is known locally as Cavalry Park in memory of the event.

the Colzium Estate memorial

On the estate itself, there is another battlefield memorial. Enter the Estate and park at the curling pond car park, walk up the hill towards the House, and the memorial is located on the lawn to your left.

The Battle of Hieton was fought on the 1st December 1650 between a force of Scottish Remonstrants (yet another incarnation of the Covenanters/Engagers) under Colonel Gilbert Ker and 1000 English commanded by Major-General John Lambert. The site of the battle was by the Cadzow Burn.

the battlefield

After Dunbar, Leslie withdrew the remains of his forces towards Stirling. Several of Leslie's officers refused to take orders from him, and left to join a new army being raised by the Western Association, which would be known as the Western Remonstrants. 

The Remonstrants attacked Lambert's men at the Hieton area of modern Hamilton on the 1st December 1650. Their surprise attack was initially successful, but the English regrouped and drove back the Scots with heavy losses: destroying their army as a fighting force, and Ker was wounded and captured. 

memorial plaque on the bridge

The battlefield site is under Cadzow Bridge, a plaque on the northern side of the bridge marks the events.




Postcodes for SatNavs
Ayr Citadel (site of), 6 Eglinton Terrace, Ayr KA7 1JJ
Battle of Kilsyth parking, Castle Cottage, Stirling Road G65 0PY
Kilsyth Memorial OS grid NS737784
Colzium Lennox Park, 106 Stirling Road G65 0FF
Battle of Hieton site, Cadzow Bridge, Hamilton ML3 6HG

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