The Bonnie house of Airlie

In 1640 the Earl of Airlie, who was a devoted royalist, fearing that he migbt be compelled to sign the Covenant, went to England, and left his castles, Airlie and Forter, both well garrisoned, in charge of his son, Lord Ogilvy. The latter, being summoned by the Covenanters to surrender, replied, that as “his father was absent, and he left no such commission with him, as to render his house to any subjects, he would defend the same to his power,
till his father returned from England.”

The Committee of Estates, being determined at all hazards to get these strongholds into their hands, issued a commission to the Earl of Argyle, authorizing him to take and destroy the castles. As there had been a feud of long standing between Argyle and the Ogilvys, he gladly undertook the task. Lord Ogilvy, seeing that resistance was hopeless, withdrew from the Castle of
Airlie. Argyle fulfilled his instructions with fierce fidelity, burning the castle, and razing the walls.

Gordon of Rothiemay, in an Accoont of the Civil Wars,
states that Argyle ‘was seen taking a hammer in his hand, and knocking down the hewed work of the doors
and windows, till he did sweat at his work.

From Airlie, Argyle marched to Forfar, where Lady Ogilvy, then near her confinement, had been sent for safety.
He treated her with great cruelty, turned her out of doors, refusing permission to her grandmother, Lady
Drummie, to shelter her in her own house at Kelly.
The well-known ballad, “The Bonnie house o’ Airlie,” is founded on these incidents.

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