Killiecrankie is a small town in Scotland that was a significant battlefield in the dispute between the divided Scotland and England in 1689. In 1688, King James II of England fled England for Scotland. The English Parliment declared that, by fleeing, James had abdicated.

The "battle" happens in the band not only between the upper winds and the lower winds but also between the percussion. The first bars in the upper winds teach the beginning band students a three note motif that is in quartet notes and then adds in eight notes. This connection is very important for students to make early on in their playing of an instrument.