On this day in 1679 the Battle of Drumclog was fought between Covenanters and the Royal Army.
A large conventicle was taking place at Loudoun Hill, on the boundary of Ayrshire and Lanarkshire when a force of dragoons arrived commanded by John Graham of Claverhouse.
The two sides were separated by a bog and Claverhouse couldn't press his attack. They exchanged fire across the bog but eventually the Covenanters under William Cleland decided to press their attack. Making their way around the bog they engaged the dragoons. The dragoons soon broke and fled the field leaving 36 dead behind them.
The victory was a huge success for the rebellious Covenanters, although euphoria was short lived. Just three weeks later Claverhouse, under the leadership of the Duke of Monmouth, helped to crush the rebellion at the Battle of Bothwell Brig.
