1568 – Battle Of Langside

Langside Monument

Queen Mary’s reign was in tatters when she escaped from Loch Leven Castle on 2 May 1568. A week later she had gathered six thousand men willing to fight for her as she headed for the safety of her strong Dumbarton Castle, which Lord Fleming was holding for her.

Lord James Stewart, her half-brother, recognised the security Dumbarton Castle would give her and moved his smaller, better-trained army to intercept. The forces confronted each other at Langside, then a village south-west of Glasgow, now a suburb.

Few were killed during the forty-five minute confrontation which resulted in Mary’s followers fleeing the area.

The Queen fled too, first to Dundrennan, then England.