the argyll stone

2 Responses to the argyll stone

1. Charlie Coull says:

   January 19, 2011 at 3:07 pm

   I’ve often wondered this being an ex Argyll and first found it with a bunch of my soldiers in the 1980s. http://www.lupineadventure.co.uk/walking-holidays/15-cairngorm-holiday.html gives this:

   Folk history tell us that it was from this stone in 1644 that Montrose saw the the forces of the Marquis of Argyll who were seeking to bring his army to bay.

   Electric Brae goes into more detail:

   On the sky-line, not far behind the ridge of Creag Dubh, is a huge boulder left by glacial forces on this exposed point called the “Argyll Stone.” After the disastrous battle at Aberdeen, Montrose fled across the country to the Spey, intending to make use of the ferry-boats on the river to pass over to the other side. But finding them removed and an armed force waiting to oppose his passage, he marched his army back through the forest of Abernethy, where he remained for several days, and then proceeded through the forest of Rothiemurchis over the hills down into Badenoch. Argyll followed fast upon his heels and caught sight of the vanishing host at this point. Learning that many of the natives had joined the standard of Montrose, Argyll took vengeance upon the whole district, which he laid waste with fire and sword. Not far from the Argyll Stone there is another large boulder called Clach Mhic Allan, or the Duke of Atholl’s Stone. The Duke was taking refuge behind it, when he was set upon and killed near the summit of the ridge.

   Thanks for prompting me to actually look for an answer!
2. admin says:

   January 19, 2011 at 3:36 pm

   Thats awesome. Thank you!