Stand-off
On 16 September 1665, Mackintosh marched through the wood of Glastermore to Clunes before taking up position in what is now known as Caig Parks north of the River Arkaig. Cameron's men withdrew across the river to Achnacarry, securing the only ford on the river. For two days the armies faced each other across the river. Having no boats, Mackintosh started to move his force up the side of Loch Arkaig, getting as far as Achnasaul. Cameron entrenched 50 men at the ford, and then moved the rest of his force west to face Mackintosh across the loch.
Meanwhile, the Earl of Argyll had sent 300 Campbells under John Campbell of Glen Orchy, later Earl of Breadalbane, with orders to end the dispute with force if necessary. He started negotiations with Mackintosh, who retreated east a little, setting camp opposite the island of Eilean Loch Airceig, but no agreement was found that day. On the 19th, a settlement was agreed by friends of the two parties, but Mackintosh refused to accept the terms, even when his men refused to fight for him. Mackintosh and his army marched back to Clunes. On the morning of the third day, he agreed to a deal in which he sold the land to the Camerons for 72,500 merks, and his friends paid the extra money he wanted themselves.
Meanwhile Campbell had encountered a party of men under Cameron of Erracht, whom Cameron had sent across the loch by boat the night before. Cameron had started on a 18 miles (29 km) march with the rest of his men to the western end of Loch Arkaig and back down the north bank, to surprise the Mackintosh army from the west. En route Cameron met Campbell, who told him of Mackintosh's agreement. Cameron wanted to continue his march until Campbell threatened to join his men with the Mackintosh army and set all the forces of the Earl of Argyll against the Camerons.
Read more about this topic: Stand-off At The Fords Of Arkaig