In 1511[1] (some sources say 1490[2]), the Murrays of Ochtertyre took cattle from Drummond of Strathearn, the purpose of this was to pay a debt demanded by the Abbot of Inchaffray.

Campbell had come to Strathearn to avenge the Murrays' recent murder of his two brothers-in-law and father-in-law, Drummond of Menie.

Traditionally the dead from this battle were believed to be buried in the cairn of Rottenreoch,[3] just north of Knock Mary (grid reference NN84252063, but this appears to be a Neolithic long cairn.

Drummond was happy to let them go,[3] but as Campbell returned home, an arrow fired from the church killed one of his men.

[3] In revenge the church was burned to the ground, killing those inside.