Like many other members of the nobility, Atholl sought to avoid direct participation himself, while balancing the two causes. His eldest son James fought for the government, although Murray joined the Jacobite army, along with his brothers Tullibardine (1689–1746) and Lord Charles (1691–1720). Atholl wrote letters to all three, forbidding them to participate in the Rebellion, which he later produced as evidence of his loyalty.
