Cowan, E. J. 1977. Montrose for Covenant and King. Weidenfeld and Nicholson, London. 280-91.
Reid, S. 1990. The Campaigns of Montrose. The Mercat Press, Edinburgh. 177-78.
Information on Sources & Publication
Gilbert Gordon of Sallagh described the battle in 'The Continuation of the History of the Earls of Sutherland', written contemporaneously, and republished in 1813. The editors of Wishart's 'Memoirs of Montrose' claim that 'His (Sallagh's) authority is good for local events, but strongly tainted with bigotry, and warped by family pride.' They say that he took his name from his estate on Loch Shin and probably fled on Montrose's advance. Without giving any evidence they say that 'his account of the battle seems to that of an eye-witness.' (Murdoch and Simpson in Wishart 1893).They also comment that his account is in the main confirmed by Balfour, although, as discussed above, there are some differences.
Sir James Balfour (c1600-c1658) ), author of the four Volume 'Annals of Scotland', republished in 1825, was Lord Lyon King of Arms to both Charles I and Charles II, and therefore might be expected to see things from a Royalist perspective. However, his record of the battle is clearly written from a Covenanter Government perspective, for example, describing the Royalists as 'the enemy' and Montrose as 'the traitor, James Graham'. It may be that, in the inter-regnum between the two King Charles, Balfour was simply going with the prevailing wind.
Wishart, one of the main primary sources for Montrose has nothing to say directly about the battle as there is a gap in his manuscript between Montrose seeking support in Europe for an invasion, and Montrose being brought to Edinburgh. The editors of the Memoirs fill the gap by giving an account based on contemporary sources, particularly Sallagh and Balfour (Murdoch and Simpson in Wishart 1893).
Primary Sources
Balfour, J. 1825. The Historical Works of Sir James Balfour. The Annals of Scotland. Volume 4. Hurst, Robinson and Co., London, and Arch. Constable and Co., Edinburgh. 8-12.
Gordon of Sallagh, G. 1813. Continuation of the History of the Earls of Sutherland in A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland by Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun. Archibald Constable and Co. Edinburgh; and White, Cochrane and Co. London. 552-56.
Cartographic & Illustrative Sources
No further information.
Secondary Sources
Cowan, E. J. 1977. Montrose for Covenant and King. Weidenfeld and Nicholson, London. 280-291.
Gardiner, S.R. 1903. History of the Commonwealth and Protectorate vol. i London. 229-246.
Murdoch ,A.D. and Morland Simpson,H.F. 1893.In The Memoirs of James, Marquis of Montrose, 1639-1650 by Wishart, G. Longman's, Green and Co., London. 289 -309.
Reid, S. 1990. The Campaigns of Montrose. The Mercat Press, Edinburgh. 177-178.
Reid, S. 2003. Auldearn 1645: the Marquis of Montrose's Scottish campaign. Osprey, Oxford. 9, 84-91.
Roberts, J.L. 2000. Clan, King and Covenant. University Press, Edinburgh. 106-112.
Stevenson, D. 1977 Revolution and Counter-Revolution in Scotland 1644-1651. Royal Historical Society, London. 162.
Williams, R.2001. Montrose:Cavalier in Mourning. House of Lochar, Isle of Colonsay. 348-355.
Highland Council Historic Environment Record MHG9159
her.highland.gov.uk/SingleResult.aspx?uid='MHG9159'
Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross Planning Applications and Review Committee Minutes , 20 January 2009. Agenda Item 4.2 -08/00330/FULSU.
www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/7748E593-FAD3-44C6-9DFD-13DBC21B80D6/0/Item42PLC0409.pdf
Kirkwall and St Ola Community Council minutes 24 August2009. www.orkney.gov.uk/media/2009_August_24_-_General_Meeting_-_Kirkwall.pdf
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