Fought on July 24, 1411. This fight broke the Highland force in
Scotland. The first version is, of course, literary, perhaps a
composition of 1550, or even earlier. The second version is traditional,
and was procured by Aytoun from Lady John Scott, herself the author of
some beautiful songs. But the best ballad on the Red Harlaw is that
placed by Scott in the mouth of Elspeth, in _The Antiquary_. This,
indeed, is beyond all rivalry the most splendid modern imitation of the
ancient popular Muse.