Northern Levies

Although the Colonel of this regiment was Hugh, 7^th Lord Lovat, the main driving force for the Covenant was Sir James Fraser of Brea, who was the Laird’s tutor and regiments Lieutenant Colonel.  In 1644, the clan could see that action was imminent and set to building defenses around it’s lands, aided no doubt, by the experience of Major Hugh Fraser, who had served with the Swedish Army.  The regiment formed with Argyll’s army that winter but did not travel south, missing Inverlochy, as it served as the primary garrison around Inverness.

 

The Frasers fought at Auldearn, were the regiment lost 87 married men (unmarried men were of no consequence as they had no wives to petition the laird!).  After the battle Clan Fraser retreated into their defenses, whilst Montrose (with the help of Seaforth) scoured their lands.  With Middleton’s arrival in the north in 1646, Fraser’s troops left their defenses and took their revenge on Mackenzies lands.  As the highlands returned to the rhythm of petty inter-clan warfare in 1646/47 eventually some of the Frasers gains were lost, most likely as the Mackenzies were pardoned and the heavy hand of government support (and jurisdiction) was lifted from the Fraser’s.

Given that this isn't the "deep" highlands, I've chosen to depict them without kilts, as they probably had more in common with the common population of Scotland rather than the "wild" clans.  However, given that they were probably levied rapidly, its unlikely they would have been given more than a bunnet, and so would be wearing their own clothes.  Thus I've pained them with some grey, but also a variety of natural tones.  The officers are a bit more snappily attired, reflecting their landed qualifications - continental fashions having reached even these parts!  The standard colour's (red and white) reflect those of  regular regiments raised locally to Nairn, the colonels standard includes the stag's head crest of the Fraser's.

Again the photo's are not the best, it was over 100 outside and the figures were almost to hot to handle!  will do a full army shoot in the autumn.  Next regiment on the list is the earl of Findlater's, but don't think it'll be done till late October.  Mind you I've now passed the half-way mark on my contribution!!

Northern Levies - Complete

Been busy painting these guys over the last month - will do the bases in the next week and get some better photos plus a write up of the unit and the rationale behind the flags.

Not the best photos - flash or no flash that is the question....

Auldearn The Movie

360 from the summit of Garlic Hill.

Auldearn Battlefield

Auldearn has got to be one of the smallest battlefields I've ever been on.  This means that the butchers bill must have been pretty high where the action was (though a good lot of the covenanter casualties must have occurred during the rout.

Walking the terrain was good for although the hills are not that big the main three (Garlic, Castle and hill of the town) controlled not only what could be seen from any given point but also the nature of the drainage.

On either side of Garlic hill the ground is still marshy today (even with modern drainage).  This would have helped funnel the government troops along the axis of the hill, pushing MaColla and the Irish back towards the town.

However, the curve of the hill veers towards the present high street where most of the oldest houses of the village are situated. Here the land rises up again into both the town and towards the Castle hill.

From the summit of Garlic hill it is impossible to see anything other than the town and it's hills.  so the strength and position of the royalist army would have been hidden.  However, from the top of the Castle Hill, the royalist command would have been able to see most of the Covenanters and would have noticed how the regiments where stacked on top of each other, unable to bring their superior numbers to bear on the assault occurring in the village.

Garlic Hill from Castle Hill

The Doocoot on top of Castle Hill - this is a 18th century structure replacing the one which stood here during the battle

The view down the main road of Auldearn towards the front of the village - the fighting would have been down at the bottom end.

View towards Auldearn from the summit of Garlic Hill.  The Royalists would have been able to assemble their forces behind the village without the Hurry seeing how many where there and where they would be deployed. Main road into Auldearn is on the left.

Castle Hill with the doocoot on the summit.  The field below and to the other side of the road is still marshy.  The royalist cavalry swung round behind this emerging to the left to flank the government troops.

Public Information

Visited the battlefield during my holiday and the weather was even nice!  Was surprised to see signposts announcing the battlefield on the main road and even more surprised to see the two signs below.  The first was at the bus-stop, just outside the Covenanters Inn (where we stayed).  The second was on top of Eren's hill, the old motte of the medieval castle upon which a doocoot stood.  This had a bit more detail and some illustrations from Stuart Reids Osprey campaign book!

Northern Levies - work in progress

Last shot for a while as I'm away on me holidays - 16 figures still to do, plus all the hair, standards and tartans.

Image quality is pretty pish but you'll get the gist of it

When the Levee Breaks...

Things moving on at a snails pace.  Quick work in progress of the Northern Levies - these guys need their hair done, and another 6 compatriots are waiting on the tartan.

Moved away from the hodden grey - makes them look more irregular - only having government issue head gear.

Looking forward to seeing them done (late July??).