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April 18th, 1586 - The Murder of Hugh Montgomerie
For More Events on This Day in Scottish History - https://bagtownclans.com/index.php/thisday/april-18/
Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I’m your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we turn the clock back to April 18th, 1586, when the quiet roads of Ayrshire bore witness to a brutal assassination that sent shockwaves through Scottish nobility—the murder of Hugh Montgomerie, 4th Earl of Eglinton. What began as a routine journey ended in a bloody ambush that reignited one of Scotland’s deadliest clan feuds: Montgomerie versus Cunningham. And if you’re curious about other fascinating events that happened on this day in history, be sure to check out my blog at bagtownclans.com/thisday. The link will be in the description!
In the late 16th century, Scotland was a land deeply fragmented by clan rivalries, political maneuverings, and personal vendettas. Among the fiercest of these rivalries was that between the Montgomeries and the Cunninghams—two powerful Lowland families whose estates in Ayrshire often bordered—and clashed. Their feud had roots stretching back generations, fueled by disputes over titles, land rights, and, inevitably, bloodshed. And on this fateful spring day, that ancient grudge turned deadly once more.
Hugh Montgomerie, the 4th Earl of Eglinton, was young—only in his mid-20s—but already a respected figure within his clan. He was riding from Eglinton Castle to Stirling on official clan business, a journey that should have been routine. But unknown to him, someone close—perhaps a servant, perhaps a hired man—betrayed him. The route was revealed to the enemy. Lying in wait near the village of Lainshaw, just outside Stewarton, were a band of Cunninghams, armed and ready.
They struck without warning. Montgomerie was ambushed and slaughtered, his party overwhelmed. The brutality of the attack stunned even those accustomed to the violence of the time. Some accounts suggest the Cunninghams dragged his body through the dirt, a final insult to the Montgomerie name. And though the exact number of assailants is uncertain, the plot bore the marks of careful planning and bitter intent. It wasn’t just murder—it was a statement.
The repercussions were immediate. The Montgomeries erupted in fury, launching retaliatory raids on Cunningham lands. Farms were burned, homes razed, and blood spilled in vengeance. The entire region of Ayrshire became a cauldron of tension and violence. Local authorities, unable to quell the chaos, appealed to the crown. In response, King James VI issued royal commissions—effectively martial law—to restore order in the region. But the damage was already done.
Despite the crown's involvement, the bitterness between the clans didn’t end. Far from it—it simmered and flared for another century. Even into the 1600s, stories of the feud endured in both family histories and folklore. And though peace would eventually return to Ayrshire, the legacy of the Montgomerie-Cunningham feud remained, a haunting echo of how far ancestral hatred could go.
As for the site of Montgomerie’s death, it remained a grim reminder for generations. Some say a tree stood at the place of the ambush, forever marked in local memory as the “Earl’s Tree.” Whether that’s true or not, the story stayed alive through oral tradition, ballads, and whispered tales by the hearth.
It’s a stark reminder that Scotland’s history isn’t just about kings and battles, but also about the deep, personal conflicts that shaped communities and defined loyalties. Clan feuds were as real and destructive as any war, and their effects were felt far beyond the battlefield.
Thank you for joining me today on This Day in Scottish History. I hope you’ve found today’s story as riveting as it is tragic. For more tales of Scotland’s tangled past, visit my blog at bagtownclans.com/thisday. And be sure to tune in tomorrow for another journey through the annals of our storied nation. I’m Colin MacDonald—Haste Ye Back!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bagtown.substack.com
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By Bagtown ClansFor More Events on This Day in Scottish History - https://bagtownclans.com/index.php/thisday/april-18/
Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I’m your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we turn the clock back to April 18th, 1586, when the quiet roads of Ayrshire bore witness to a brutal assassination that sent shockwaves through Scottish nobility—the murder of Hugh Montgomerie, 4th Earl of Eglinton. What began as a routine journey ended in a bloody ambush that reignited one of Scotland’s deadliest clan feuds: Montgomerie versus Cunningham. And if you’re curious about other fascinating events that happened on this day in history, be sure to check out my blog at bagtownclans.com/thisday. The link will be in the description!
In the late 16th century, Scotland was a land deeply fragmented by clan rivalries, political maneuverings, and personal vendettas. Among the fiercest of these rivalries was that between the Montgomeries and the Cunninghams—two powerful Lowland families whose estates in Ayrshire often bordered—and clashed. Their feud had roots stretching back generations, fueled by disputes over titles, land rights, and, inevitably, bloodshed. And on this fateful spring day, that ancient grudge turned deadly once more.
Hugh Montgomerie, the 4th Earl of Eglinton, was young—only in his mid-20s—but already a respected figure within his clan. He was riding from Eglinton Castle to Stirling on official clan business, a journey that should have been routine. But unknown to him, someone close—perhaps a servant, perhaps a hired man—betrayed him. The route was revealed to the enemy. Lying in wait near the village of Lainshaw, just outside Stewarton, were a band of Cunninghams, armed and ready.
They struck without warning. Montgomerie was ambushed and slaughtered, his party overwhelmed. The brutality of the attack stunned even those accustomed to the violence of the time. Some accounts suggest the Cunninghams dragged his body through the dirt, a final insult to the Montgomerie name. And though the exact number of assailants is uncertain, the plot bore the marks of careful planning and bitter intent. It wasn’t just murder—it was a statement.
The repercussions were immediate. The Montgomeries erupted in fury, launching retaliatory raids on Cunningham lands. Farms were burned, homes razed, and blood spilled in vengeance. The entire region of Ayrshire became a cauldron of tension and violence. Local authorities, unable to quell the chaos, appealed to the crown. In response, King James VI issued royal commissions—effectively martial law—to restore order in the region. But the damage was already done.
Despite the crown's involvement, the bitterness between the clans didn’t end. Far from it—it simmered and flared for another century. Even into the 1600s, stories of the feud endured in both family histories and folklore. And though peace would eventually return to Ayrshire, the legacy of the Montgomerie-Cunningham feud remained, a haunting echo of how far ancestral hatred could go.
As for the site of Montgomerie’s death, it remained a grim reminder for generations. Some say a tree stood at the place of the ambush, forever marked in local memory as the “Earl’s Tree.” Whether that’s true or not, the story stayed alive through oral tradition, ballads, and whispered tales by the hearth.
It’s a stark reminder that Scotland’s history isn’t just about kings and battles, but also about the deep, personal conflicts that shaped communities and defined loyalties. Clan feuds were as real and destructive as any war, and their effects were felt far beyond the battlefield.
Thank you for joining me today on This Day in Scottish History. I hope you’ve found today’s story as riveting as it is tragic. For more tales of Scotland’s tangled past, visit my blog at bagtownclans.com/thisday. And be sure to tune in tomorrow for another journey through the annals of our storied nation. I’m Colin MacDonald—Haste Ye Back!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bagtown.substack.com