9 April 1650: The advance guard of James Graham, Marquis of Montrose’s royalist force led by Major-General John Hurry (Montrose’s old adversary and now ally), crossed the Pentland Firth from the Orkney Islands and landed at Thurso. From Thurso, Hurry advanced to secure the Ord of Caithness where he could keep watch on the main route north for any movement of Covenanter forces. Montrose would follow with his main force of Danish, German and Orcadian troops on 12 April.