Nothing could be better concerted, or executed with more conduct and courage, than was this hazardous enterprise.

They amused the king's ships with marches and counter-marches along the coast, in such a manner that they could not possibly know where they intended to embark.

The earl of Mar, in the meantime, marched from Perth to Dumblane as if he had intended to cross the Forth at Stirling bridge; but his real design was to divert the duke of Argyle from attacking his detachment which had landed in Lothian.

So far the scheme succeeded.

The duke, who had assembled some troops in Lothian, returned to Stirling with the utmost expedition, after having secured Edinburgh and obliged Mackintosh to abandon his design on that city.