Battle site of Drumclog (1679) **

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© Copyright G Laird and licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0

Description:

A  skirmish between Government troops and Covenanter forces in 1679. Covenanters had gathered for an outlawed religious service or 'conventicle'. However, news of this meeting had reached the ears of Sir John Graham of Claverhouse who had been recently commanded by the king to suppress such events.

Claverhouse mustered his dragoons and clashed with the Covenanters. This was to become known as the Battle of Drumclog and ended with Claverhouse's dragoons being soundly defeated.

The victory spurred the Covenanters on to greater things. Several thousand stormed Glasgow, drove out the occupying garrison and by 6 June had taken command of the city. Their success was to be short-lived. Within two weeks the tide would turn against them (Battle of Bothwell Bridge).