James Graham, Marquess of Montrose, was a Scottish nobleman and soldier. A Presbyterian and signatory of the National Covenant of 1638, he initially fought against the forces of King Charles I. Around 1641, however, he changed allegiances and became a dedicated supporter of the king throughout the English Civil War. He rallied the loyalist Highland clans to fight for Charles and led them to victory against the Covenanters at Tippermuir and Aberdeen. After his defeat at Philiphaugh in September 1645, Montrose escaped to Holland. He remained loyal to the king and supported the exiled Charles II after his father’s execution. In 1650 he returned to Scotland with a small army, but was defeated at Carbisdale and executed by the Covenanters in Edinburgh.