Airlie Castle (10)
Notwithstanding Montrose's failure, the Committee of Estates were nonetheless resolved to crush the Royalist spirit in the North.  Consequently the Earl of Argyll, who had not gone south with the army to the Border, was empowered to assemble 5000 men from his own domains in the West Highlands, and complete what Montrose had failed to achieve.  One could reasonably assume that the garrison of the castle, buoyed by their success in opposing Montrose, would have confidently expected a similar result against Argyll, however, as the Campbells approached, Lord Ogilvie, for some unknown reason, regarded the approach of Argyll with so much apprehension that he and his retainers precipitately abandoned the fortress.  

Argyll, who had apparently sworn to make the highest stone of Airlie Castle its lowest, pitched his camp in the vicinity and set about the methodical demolition of the castle and destruction of its contents.  The buildings were first plundered of everything that was removable, and then the work of demolition began, <i>“Argyll,”</i> wrote Gordon of Rothiemay, <i>“taking hammer in hand and knocking down the hewed works of doors and windows till he did sweat for heat at his work!”</i>  Fire was then set to the ancient strength, which soon became a mass of ruins.  Meanwhile parties of the Campbells dispersed themselves over the Ogilvie lands, and ravaged at will, loading themselves with booty, and leaving the country, where <i>“the corn grew green and early,”</i> almost a desert.  Argyll withdrew with his men, boasting proudly that he had <i>&quot;left him (Airlie) not in all his lands a cock to crow day&quot;!</i>

And that is why so little of the 15th century fortress remains!
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