Battle of Kilsyth - 1645

 Second in our short series of Scottish battles is Kilsyth, 15th August 1645. 

With Montrose threatening the Lowlands the Scottish Parliament ordered General William Baillie to pursue and confront him. Aware of Baillie’s approach Montrose occupied strong position near Kilsyth close to Stirling. Baillie’s approach however took him into a flanking position with part of his force, and the remainder was concealed by hills from Montrose view. The action starts just before the full Covenanter army becomes visible. In both games the terrain and deployments are identical. 

Game 1

This game started with a general advance by the Royalist forces with the Irish storming up the hill and pushing the Covenanters back from the windmill. 

Covenanters advance

Covenanters on Windmill Hill

On the other flank the Covenanters initially held but eventually pushed back by the Highlanders bursting from the wood. Royalist win. 

Highlanders emerge from the woods near Kilsyth

Game 2

This game proceed very differently as the Irish brigade failed to move for the first three turns of the game. This allowed the Covenanters to apply pressure to the rest of the Royalist army.

The very late movement by the Irish allowed the Covenanters to keep control of Windmill Hill and cause enough damage to win a points victory. Covenanter win.