[5][6] The leaders of the English Commonwealth felt threatened[7] and despatched the New Model Army, commanded by Oliver Cromwell, on an invasion of Scotland in July 1650, starting the Anglo-Scottish war of 1650–1652.

[10][11][12] Believing the English army was in a hopeless situation and under pressure to finish it off rapidly,[13][14] Leslie moved his troops into a position to attack Dunbar.

[20][21] Following this defeat the Scots, accompanied by King Charles II, established a new defensive line at the strategic choke point of Stirling.

[24] These more radical elements issued the divisive Western Remonstrance, which castigated the government for its failure to properly purge the army, and further widened the rifts between the Scots.

The Remonstrants, led by Colonel Gilbert Ker, attacked the English at the Hieton (Scots for 'high town') area of modern Hamilton on 1 December 1650.

Their surprise attack gained initial success, but the English regrouped and drove back the Scots with heavy losses, destroying their army as a fighting force.

[31][32] In desperation Charles and Leslie decided that their only chance was to invade England in the hope that the populace would rise to support the King and so took their army south.

There the stronger English army, which was better trained, better equipped and better supplied, cut the Scots' line of retreat[36] and on 3 September attacked and crushed them at the Battle of Worcester.