BattlefieldsSkirmish at Airs Moss
English Civil War

Skirmish at Airs Moss

1685
Ayrshire, Scotland
Also known as: Field skirmish near Cumnock 1685
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Ayrshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Cameronian conventicle guard
Forces
conventicle guard c.30–50. Skirmish.
VS
Victor
Government (dragoons)
Forces
Government dragoons c.100–150
Outcome
Government forces dispersed a field conventicle; several Covenanters killed
The Battle

History & Significance

Field conventicles — illegal outdoor prayer meetings — were regularly disrupted by government dragoons during the Killing Time. Armed Covenanters formed guards for their congregations and skirmishes occurred when dragoons attempted to disperse them. This episode near the Ayrshire moors resulted in deaths on both sides and further burials in unmarked graves across the hills.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Ayrshire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Ayrshire