The Cameronian regiment was sent to garrison Dunkeld.

Of this arrangement Mackay altogether disapproved.

He knew that at Dunkeld these troops would be near the enemy; that they would be far from all assistance; that they would be in an open town; that they would be surrounded by a hostile population; that they were very imperfectly disciplined, though doubtless brave and zealous; that they were regarded by the whole Jacobite party throughout Scotland with peculiar malevolence; and that in all probability some great effort would be made to disgrace and destroy them, [378] The General's opinion was disregarded; and the Cameronians occupied the post assigned to them.

It soon appeared that his forebodings were just.
The inhabitants of the country round Dunkeld furnished Cannon with intelligence, and urged him to make a bold push.

The peasantry of Athol, impatient for spoil, came in great numbers to swell his army.
The regiment hourly expected to be attacked, and became discontented and turbulent.