Battle of Rullion Green

Battle of Rullion Green
Part of the Scottish Covenanter Wars

The Dalry Covenanter Sculpture which commemorates the uprising
Date28 November 1666
Location
Result Government victory
Belligerents
Scottish Royal Army Covenanter insurgents
Commanders and leaders
Strength
2,000 – 3,000 750 – 1,100
Casualties and losses
light
  • 40 to 50 killed
  • 36 later executed
Designated30 November 2011
Reference no.BTL27

The Battle of Rullion Green took place on 28 November 1666, near the Pentland Hills, in Midlothian, Scotland. It was the only significant battle of the Pentland Rising, a brief revolt by Covenanter dissidents against the Scottish government.

Sparked by opposition to the restoration of episcopalianism in the Church of Scotland, a Covenanter army under Colonel James Wallace was defeated by a government force led by Tam Dalyell of the Binns.

While casualties were relatively light, between 40 and 50 Covenanters were killed and up to 85 prisoners taken, many of whom were alleged to have been tortured. 36 were executed and others transported to Barbados, while unrest continued over the next two decades, culminating in the extended period of repression from 1679 to 1688 known as The Killing Time.