Battle of Culblean

The Battle of Culblean

November 1335

Prehistory

Despite the harsh Defeat at Halidon Hill, there were still Conflicts between the scottish Nobility and the re-established King Edward Balliol. Because of his great Influence, the ‘Guardian of Scotland’ Andrew Murray -he was one of the most influential Advocates of scottish Independence – was captured by the English as early as 1332.
With his release (probably late 1334) Balliol hoped to have an intermediary with the Scottish loyalists. Instead, Murray -again called Guardian of Scotland- began to eliminate domestic opponents under the semblance of peace negotiations.

The open Conflict came in late autumn 1335, when Balliol’s General David III. Strathbogie began to conquer all free Land north of the ‘Firth of Forth’. After Strathbogie besieged Kildrummy Castle extremely cruelly, Murray began to dig an Army and marched towards the English.

The Battle

When Strathbogie learned of the Advance of the Scots, he broke off the Siege.
He wanted to intercept the Scots in the Forest of Culblean, but Murray learned about it and tried a surprise attack on the Camp of the English in the Forest. At night, Murray divided his troops and circled the Camp from the south and north. When spies of the approaching Scots reported, the English claimed that they had the entire scottish Army in front of them. Now Murray was able to attack his open Flank and put it to flight.

Since most of the english Troops were compulsory and had no experience, even though they had no Archers, the Defeat was accelerated. According to tradition Strathbogie fought with a few faithful in the shelter of an Oak to Death. The last Survivors fled to a Castle on Loch Kinnard, but had to surrender to the scottish Superiority the next Day.