Description:

Just 1.5 km to the southeast of Bothwell and next to the M74 motorway lies the battlefield of the Battle of Bothwell Bridge (or Brigg). It was here in 1679 that the Covenanter movement, after their success at the Battle of Drumclog, had gathered to established their next move. Whilst here they were attacked by the combined forces of Graham of Claverhouse, the Duke of Monmouth and the Earl of Linlithgow. Around 700 Covenanters were killed in the actual battle. Many later died while in a prison camp next to Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh, others were released or escaped. In the end 257 prisoners were put on a ship bound for the American colonies but the "The Crown of London" was shipwrecked in the Orkney islands. Only 48 survived.