The Covenanters were a group of Scots who had signed the National Covenant in 1638. This Covenant declared that they were opposed to the Stuart royalty interfering in the matters of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The kings believed that not only had they been chosen by God to rule the country, but that they were the spiritual head of the Church of Scotland. The Covenanters believed that only Jesus Christ could be the head of a Christian Church, and so the basis of the conflict was set. In 1637, King Charles 1 introduced the book of common prayer and dictated that opposition to this would be considered treason. This was the impetus for the National Covenant and following this considerable suffering and executions took place.

Strathaven and the surrounding district became a Covenanting stronghold. Ministers who sided with the Covenanters were removed from their parishes, although many continued preaching in secret in barns and in the open air - risking the death penalty. On 1st June 1679, the Covenanters defeated the government troops at the Battle of Drumclog, a few miles to the west of Strathaven.

During the years of the Covenanters' struggle, Strathaven Castle was used to house government troops. It was also used as a prison and two of the Covenanters were executed at the castle. The John Hastie museum houses the banner used by the Avendale Covenanters, alongside other displays and artefacts.

Further information on the struggle of the Covenanters can be obtained at website of the Scottish Covenanter Memorials Association at www.covenanter.org.uk