BattlefieldsBattle of Inverlochy (1645)
English Civil War

Battle of Inverlochy (1645)

1645
Inverness-shire, Scotland
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Inverness-shire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Covenanters (Marquess of Argyll's forces)
Forces
Covenanters: 2,000-3,500
VS
Victor
Royalists (Montrose's army: Irish Confederate troops and Highland clans)
Forces
Royalists/Irish: approx. 1,500 (Irish regiments approx. 800, Highland clan levies approx. 500, cavalry approx. 50)
Outcome
Decisive Royalist victory; Covenanter force routed and pursued around eight miles; Inverlochy Castle garrison surrendered without resistance
The Battle

History & Significance

The Battle of Inverlochy occurred on 2 February 1645, during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, when a Royalist force of Highlanders and Confederate Irish troops under the overall command of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, routed and largely destroyed the pursuing forces of Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll, who had been encamped under the walls of Inverlochy Castle. After being researched, the area was designated as a battlefield by Historic Scotland in 2011.

Confirmed battlefield location
Casualties & Losses

Royalists/Irish: few (estimated 4-8 killed, including Sir Thomas Ogilvie); Covenanters: approximately 1,500 killed, including commander Sir Duncan Campbell of Auchinbreck

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