Description:

In November 1335, Andrew Murray, son of the Scottish patriot of the same name who with William Wallace had led the victorious Scottish forces, led an army of about 1,100 men north along the eastern coast against the pro-English forces led by the Earl of Atholl, David of Strathbogie. Murray supported Robert the Bruce’s young son King David II, while Strathbogie was a supporter of Edward Balliol, son of the former King John Balliol, who had the military support of King Edward III of England. Strathbogie, who had been appointed commander of the English forces in the north of Scotland, had laid siege to Kildrummy Castle in Aberdeenshire with an army of about 3,000 men. Warned of Murray’s approaching army Strathbogie moved south to intercept Murray at the forest of Culblean. On Saint Andrew’s day, November 30, 1335, Murray split his army into two units. The frontal unit led by Sir William Douglas of Liddesdale blocked Strathbogie’s southern march. Strathbogie’s men attacked Douglas’ smaller force and once committed, Murray’s men attacked the exposed flank and the English forces broke. Strathbogie was killed in a last stand along with his Comyn allies.