His son and heir, also named Sir James entrusted their three daughters and their tutorship to the father of his wife, Barbara Forbes' father. Sir James joined the Highland force that Calverhouse, for the Viscount Dundee, in support of the deposed King James II. It is thus apparent the Royalist sentiments passed from father to son. On 27 July 1689 Bonnie Dundee’s Highlanders met and defeated General Mackay’s army at the Battle of Killiecrankie. Unfortunately, Dundee, and the rising hope of the Jacobite cause, was slain in the hour of its own victory. Among the highland dead, was also James Strachan, younger of Thornton.