BattlefieldsBattle of Drumclog 1679
English Civil War

Battle of Drumclog 1679

1679
Lanarkshire, Scotland
Also known as: Drumclog 1679 · Loudon Hill moorland battle 1679
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Lanarkshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Government dragoons (John Graham of Claverhouse)
Forces
Claverhouse government dragoons c.150
VS
Victor
Covenanters
Forces
Covenanting force c.250
Outcome
Covenanting force used boggy ground to stop government cavalry; Claverhouse's dragoons routed with significant losses; Claverhouse barely escaped
The Battle

History & Significance

A Covenanting field conventicle was attacked by John Graham of Claverhouse with government dragoons. The Covenanters, armed with pikes, muskets and scythes, used the boggy moorland terrain to neutralise Claverhouse's cavalry advantage. The government force was broken and fled. It was the greatest Covenanting military victory of the Restoration period — and the only time Claverhouse was ever defeated in battle. Three weeks later the larger government army under Monmouth destroyed the Covenanters at Bothwell Bridge.

Casualties & Losses

c.36 government killed; c.8 Covenanters killed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Drumclog 1679

Glen Garr,cairn
Scheduled monument · ~5.5 miles
Blacksidend,cairn
Scheduled monument · ~6.1 miles
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