Below its frowning towers, the Marquis of Montrose defeated the Duke of Argyle, in the year 1645.  It was just when the first rays of the sun shot athwart Ben Nevis, that, having led his men across pathless wilds covered deep with snow, he pounced down on the astonished Campbells, who were driven back in confusion, when numbers were slaughtered or drowned in the waters of Loch Eil.  Of the latter, fifteen hundred men fell; while only three of Montrose's soldiers were killed, and one officer wounded.