Army of Montrose: More Command

Whilst perusing the Keep Wargaming (no relation) Naismith ECW listings I noticed pack EC11 mounted highlander with sword and pistol. An idea germinated that they could become highland commanders. But that would involve painting tartan again. 

Undeterred I ordered them, and as usual mounted them on Peter Pig horses (tl:dr Naismith horses are 'esoteric' to say the least, their artillery limber horses are brilliant) . The pose was a bit unique and I decided that they would look a little odd all in the same pose. Only one figure would remain as cast, the other two would have more animation in their sword arm. Swords were cut and arms gently eased into position. The first figure went fine, the second... clearly a bit too adventurous and his arm snapped off. His arm was pinned back into place and greenstuff repairs carried out. Both had new swords fashioned from staples, and greenstuff hilts helped strengthen everything up.

The first adjustment, the original figure, and the second sword arm adjustment. Swords had only just been fitted, greenstuff hilts still need to be added.

Colonel John Munro of Lemlair

Munro originally started off commanding a Covenanter Army in 1639. His army camped at Speyside blocking access to Moray for the Clan Gordon. A peace treaty was quickly signed and Munro defected to the Royalist cause. Munro was an instigator of the Siege of Inverness in 1649 and the Royalist victory. He would rejoin the Covenanter cause in 1650; at Carbisdale, his son Andrew would be a member of the small group of horse that wrongfooted Montrose and ultimately led to his death.

William Gordon of Minimore

Minimore was originally an officer in Donald, Farquharson of Monaltrie's Regiment. After the death of Monaltrie in 1645, Minimore's men became independent. He led his men at Alford accompanied by 'three of his sonnes' at the head of 200 'Straithawine men'. He was described in Britane's Distemper as 'a waliant gentleman, who shew himself a loyal subject of his King, and a faithful and constaint follouer of the house of Huntly in all their expeditions'.

Captured in 1646 when Huntly's rising collapsed, Minimore was sent to Edinburgh with Gordon of Newton, Old Leith of Harthill, Captain Mortimer and Thomas Stewart of Drumin. He would be imprisoned in the tollbooth. He was referred to as 'an active and bloody Instrument in rebellion'. He would eventually be released from the tollbooth in 1649. 

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Donald Farquharson of Monaltrie

Donald Oig Farquharson of Monaltrie was called ‘the pride of Braemar'; he spent six months at court and clearly made an impression, as Charles would always call him "my man". Whilst visiting Edinburgh King Charles was informed of Donald being threatened by some Covenanters, the King angrily exclaimed, “Who dares be so bold as to touch my man, Donald Farquharson?” (Try reading that without hearing Sir Alec Guinness saying it in your head. No, not in his Obi-Wan voice his Charles I voice!)

Donald would be slain by a pistol-shot in street fighting in Aberdeen on 16th March 1645. His death was much lamented by the Marquis of Montrose, who had his body buried with military honours in Drum's Aisle of St. Nicholas Church, Aberdeen. A Victorian plaque marks the supposed spot.

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