Robert The Bruce At the last great invasion by Edward, Archie did not take the field, seeing that Comyn, in despair of opposing so vast a host, did not call out the levies.

Upon the approach of the English army under the Prince of Wales he called the whole of his tenants into the castle.

Great stores of provisions had already been collected.

The women and children were sent away up into the hills, where provisions had also been garnered, and the old men and boys accompanied them.
As the Prince of Wales passed north, bands from his army spreading over the country destroyed every house in the district.

Archie was summoned to surrender, but refused to do so; and the prince, being on his way to join his father on the Forth, after himself surveying the hold, and judging it far too strong to be carried without a prolonged siege, marched forward, promising on his return to destroy it.