The Battle of Justice Mill

While today Bon Accord Terrace Gardens form a tranquil green space in the middle of the city, this peaceful spot was once full of the noise of clashing swords and firing muskets. It was the 13th of September 1644 and a civil war was being fought in Scotland as part of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms between Covenanters who opposed Charles I’s religious reforms and Royalists who loyally followed the King.

A small Royalist army led by James Graham the Marquis of Montrose had marched north from Dundee, hoping to swell his ranks with men from Huntly. Unfortunately for him, despite sharing the same cause and supporting the King, the personal dislike between Montrose and Huntly was too wide a gap to bridge.

Instead, the 1500-strong army set their sights on taking Aberdeen, only to find a larger force of Covenanter militia facing them. The townsfolk had taken up a strong position just outside the walls, close to where Justice Mill Lane is now and so Montrose tried to negotiate. A drummer boy led a messenger under a flag of truce to offer terms.

They demanded that the town be surrendered or at least the women and children be sent out into the countryside before the attack because no quarter would be shown inside the walls. The terms were rejected, but those carrying the message were initially treated well and the drummer boy was even given a gold coin. However, as they returned to their own lines, one of the Covenanters inexplicably fired a shot that killed the poor drummer.

Montrose was so furious that he ordered an immediate attack. After two hours of fierce fighting and a devastating Highland Charge from the Royalists, the defenders of Aberdeen broke and fled into the town. That signalled the start of several days of killing and pillaging, with the Royalist's anger being taken out on innocent inhabitants. The fury eventually abated and the sacking of Aberdeen was complete, but all the brutality had achieved was to turn much of Scotland against the Royalist cause.