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''I
»
HISTOEY
OF THE
WESTERN HIGHLANDS AND ISLES
OF
SCOTLAND.
The History
OF THE
Western Highlands
AND
ISLES OF SCOTLAND,
From A.D. 1403 to A.D. 1G25,
WITH A
BRIEF INTRODUCTORY SKETCH, From A.D, SO to A,D. 1403.
BY
Donald Gregory,
Joint Seeretarjf to the SocUtff of Antiquaries of Scotland; SeatUtry to the lona Club;
Honorary Member of the Ouianic Society ofQlatgow;
Honorary Member of the Society of Antiquaries^ NewMStlt-on-Tyne;
and Member of the Royal Society of Antiquaria of the
North at Copenhagen.
SECOND EDITION.
X.ONDON: HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO. GLASGOW: THOMAS D. MORISON.
188L
8 SO
TO
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GODFREY WILLIAM LORD MACDONALD,
A BARONET OF NOVA SCOTIA: OTHERWISE STYLED,
OR
Pacg0nal& jof i\% |slcs :
HEIR-MALE OF JOHN, LAST LORD OF THE ISLES;
THIS WORK,
CONTAINING MANY PARTICULARS OF THE HISTORY OF HIS LORDSHIP's ILLUSTRIOUS ANCESTORS, THE LORDS OF THE ISLES,
IS, WITH PERMISSION,
DEDICATED BY
HIS lordship's MOST OBEDIENT SERVANT,
THE AUTHOR.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Preface, .
Page
«
1
INTRODUCTION. A. D. 80-1493.
Object of the Work and of the Introduction,
The Caledonii and Mseatae,
The Picti and Attacotti, ,
The Dicaledones and Yecturiones,
The Irish Scots or Dalriads,
The Strathclyde Britons and Angles,
The Scottish Conquest under Kenneth Macalpiuj
The Dicaledones, or northern Picts, also called Albanich,
The Albanich, the earliest inhabitants of the Hebrides or Western Isles, .....
They are partly displaced by the Dalriads,
First appearance of the Scandinavians in the Hebrides, .
The Hebrides conquered by Harald Harfager, King of' Norway, ......
The Yikingr of the Isles, . * .
Ketil, King of the Isles, .....
Anla^ Maccus, Gofra, and Ragnal, Kings of the Isles, .
Sigurd and Thorfin, Earls of Orkney, successively con- quer the Isles, .....
Diarmed MacMaelnambo, Godred MacSitric, Fingal, and Godred Crovan, successively Kings of the Isles,
Crodred Crovan expelled from the Isles by Magnus Bare- foot, Eang of Norway, ....
Sigurd, son of Magnus Barefoot, made King of the Isles,
Xagman, King of the Isles, ....
I>onald MacTade appointed Regent of the Isles,
He is expelled by the Islanders, ....
1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3
3 3
4
4 5 5
6 6 6
7 7
Vlll
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Olave the Red, (or Olaf Bitling,) King of the Isfes, Ragnhildis, his daughter, is married to Somerled, Lord
ofArgyle, ..... Mixture of Norse and Celtic blood in the Isles, . - The Fiongall or Norwegians, and Dubhgall or Danes, Parentage of Somerled of Argyle, Different opinions as to the origin of his family, . Probability that he was of Irish, and not of Norse descent, Gillibrede of the Cave, .... Early life of Somerled, .... His rapid rise and great acquisitions. He marries a daughter of the King of the Isles, . Godred the Black, King of the Isles, His tyranny and oppression. Revolt of many of the Islanders, who proclaim Dugall
son of Somerled, King of the Isles, . War between Godred and Somerled, Which is followed by a treaty and a division of the Isles, The South Isles (except Man) ceded to the sons of Som-
\?rjLvU, . • • . * •
Renewed hostilities between Godred and Somerled, Godred flies to Norway, and Man and the North Isles
are seized by Somerled, .... Wars of Somerled with Malcolm IV., King of Scotland, Somerled enters the Clyde with a large army, and lands
near Renfrew, .....
Defeat and death of Somerled, .... Man and the North Isles return tb Godred, The Sons of Somerled, ..... Division of Argyle and the South Isles among them, Quarrels between Reginald and Angus, sons of Somerled, Angus and his three sons killed by the men of Sky, Argyle and the South Isles divided between Dugall and
Reginald, the surviving sons of Somerled and Ragn-
hildis, . . ....
Dugall and Reginald are both called Kings of the Isles, Reginald, son of Godred, a King of the Isles at the same
vime, •••.••• Remarks on the import of the word King, as used by the
Scandinavians of the Isles, ....
Page-
7
7
8,9
8,9
10
10
10,11
11
12
12
12
13
13
13 14 U
14 14
15 15
15 16 16,17 17 17 17 17
17 17
17
17,18
TABLE OF CONTENTS. ix
Pag© Origin of the family^ of De Ergadia or MacDugall, Lords
of Lorn, ...... 1&
Origin of the family of De Insulis or MacDonald, Lords
oflsla, ...... 18
Origin of the family of De Insulis or MacRuari, Lords of
the North Isles, ..... 18
Hepresentatives of these families in the reign of Alex- ander III., . . . . . .18
These families held lands both under the King of Nor- way and the King of Scotland, . . . 19 Encroachments of the Scots on the Kingdom of the Isles, 19 Projects of Alexander IL, and his deabh, . . 20 Proceedings of Alexander III. against Angus Macdonald,
Lord of Isla, ...... 20
Expedition of Haco to repress the aggressions of the Scots, 20 He establishes the authority of Norway over all the Hebrides, 20 His invasion of Scotland, his repulse, and death, . 20
Vigorous measures of Alexander III. against the Islanders, 20 Death of Magnus, the last King of Man and the Isles,^ . 20
Treaty between Alexander III. and Magnus, King of Norway, 21 TheHebrides or Western Isles ceded to Scotland by Norway, 21 Allegiance of the Islanders transferred to the King of Scotland, 21 Position of the descendants of Somerled before and after
the cession of the Isles to Scotland, ... 22
They attend the Scottish Parliament in 1284, as vassals
of Scotland, ...... 23^
At this time, there was no Lord of the whole Isles; the Lordship, as known in later times, embracing nearly all the possessions held, independently of each other, in 1284, by the MacDugalls, MacDonalds, and Mac- Ruaries, . . .... 23-
Forfeiture of the Lord of Lorn, and acquisitions of the Lords
of Isla and the North Isles, in the reign of Robert I., 24
Wise policy of King Robert, .... 25
Forfeiture of the Lord of the North Isles, . . 25
Death of King Robert, . .... 26^
And of Angus Gig, Lord of Isla, .... 26
John of Isla, son of Angus Oig, joins Edward "Ba\\io\ who confers upon him many lands.
20
!Retumof David IL from Franco, . . . ^^
X TABLE OF COKTENTS.
Page
"VVlien the Lord of Isla is forfeited, . , . 26
He is pardoned and restored, .... 27
And the Lord of the North Isles is likewise restored to
his estates, ...... 27
Origin of the Macians of Ardnamurchan, . . 26, 27
Ranald MacRuari of the North Isles is assassinated by
the Earl of Ross, ..... 27
His sister, Amie, wife of John of Isla, becomes his heir, 27
John of Isla, thus acquiring the North Isles, in addition to his former possessions, assumes the style of Lord OF THE Isles, ..... 27
The heiress of the MacDugalls carries Lorn Proper (to which
her father had been restored) to the family of Stewart, 28
Intrigues of the Cburt of England with the Lord of the
Isles, .... ... 28
Turbulence and disaffection of the Lord of the Isles, . 28
He is again reconciled to David II., ... 28
Marriages and issue of John, first Lord of the Isles, . 29
His eldest son, by his second wife, (Margaret,) daughter of King Robert II., becomes his heir, to the exclu- sion of the sons of the first marriage, . . 29, 30 State of the Isles at the death of the first Lord, . . 30 Donald, second Lord of the Isles, succeeds, . . 30 He marries Mary Leslie, afterwards Countess of Ross, in whose right he was properly first Earl of Ross of his family, . . . . . . 31, 32
His disputes with the Regent Albany — The Battle of
Harlaw, ...... 31
He is acknowledged as Lord of the Isles by all the Island- ers, and even by his brothers of the half-blood, . 31 Disputes between Godfrey and Ranald, the surviving sons
of the first marriage of John first Lord of the Isles, 31
Origin of the Clan Ian Yor of Isla and Kintyre, and of
the Macdonalds of Keppoch, ... 32
Intrigues of the Islanders with England, - . .32
Death and issue of Donald, Lord of the Isles, . . 33
Alexander, third Lord of the Isles and second Earl of
Ross, ...... 33
Is at first in great favour with King James I., . • 33
But soon rebels, ...... 34
TABLE OF CONTENTS. XI
Page
Causes of liis rebellion — Fend between the Clanranald
and Siol Gorrie, ..... 34
Murder of John Mor of Isla, .... 35
The King holds a Parliament at Inverness, . 35 Where the Lord of the Isles, and many other chiefs, are
seized, . ... . . .35
Some of whom are executed, and others imprisoned, . 35, 36
Liberation of the Lord of the Isles, . . . 36 He (after becoming Earl of Ross) assembles his vassals
and bums the town of Inverness, . . . 36
The rebellion suppressed by the activity of the King, . 37
Surrender, and humiliating submission of the Earl of Ross, 37
He is imprisoned in Tantallon Castle, . . . 37 The Royal forces in Lochaber are routed by .Donald
Ealloch of Isla, . . . . . 37, 38
And the Earl of Caithness is killed, ... 38 The King marches to Dunstaffuage, and the rebels
disperse, ...... 38
13 ut many of them are seized and executed, . . 38 A head, said to be that of Donald Balloch, sent from
Ireland to the King, . . . . 38
This, however, is only a stratagem, by which Donald
Balloch escapes the pursuit of his enemies, . . 39 Forfeiture of Alexander, Lord of Lochaber, paternal
uncle of the Earl of Ross, . . . .39
Tlie Earl of Ross pardoned and liberated, . . 39 He is appointed Justiciar of Scotland, north of the Forth,
in the reign of James II., . . . . 39
ITc punishes the Clan Chameron for their former deser- tion of him, ...... 40
The Clan Chattan contrive to escai>e his vengeance, . 40 Ho enters into a treasonable league with the Earls of
Douglas and Crawford, . . . .40
Death and issue of the Earl of Ross, . . . 40, 41 John, fourth and last Lord of the Isles, and third Earl
of Ross, succeeds, . . . . .41
His brothers, Celestine Lord of Lochalsh, and Hugh
Lord of Sleat, ..... 41
Power and ambitious projects of William, Earl of
Douglas, ...... 41, 42
xu
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Kenewed league between the £arls of Douglas, Boss, and Crawford, ......
The King marches against the Douglases in the absence of the Earl, who had gone to Borne,
The Earl of Boss rebels, and seizes the royal castles of Inverness, Urquhart, and Buthven in Badenoch, .
The Earl of Douglas returns from Borne, and is assassi- nated by the King, .....
The Douglases rise in arms, but are defeated by the Boyal troops, .....
James, Earl of Douglas, retires to the Isles,
He is well received by Boss, who sends an expedition under Donald Balloch to ravage Ayrshire, Arran, and But-e, .....
Excesses of the Islanders,
Flight of Douglas to England, and submission of Boss, .....
Boss is appointed one of the "Wardens of the Marches,
He is present at the siege of Boxburgh and at the death
of James II., ....
He and his vassals attend the first Parliament of
• James III., ..... He is induced by the Douglases to intrigue with the
King of England, .... Bemarkable treaty between Edward IV. and the Earl
of Boss, .....
The Earl of Boss rebels, and assumes regal powers, His forces are placed under the command of his bastard
son, Angus, and of Donald Balloch, He is summoned before Parliament for treason, . But the rebellion is suppressed without the government
proceeding to extremities, . The treaty with England is at length discovered. And Boss is again summoned on a charge of treason. Sentence of forfeiture is prqnounced against him. The Earls of Crawford and Athole sent against Boss, Who sues for pardon through the medium of Huntly, He is pardoned and restored to his forfeited estates, But immediately resigns to the King the Earldom of
Boss and the lands of Kintyre and Knapdale,
Pago
42
42
43
43
44 44
44 45
45 45
4a 4e
46
47,48 48
48 49
49 49 49 50 50 50 50
60
TABLE OF CONTENTS. XIU
Page
And is created a Baron Banrent and Lord of Parliament,
by the title of Lord of the Isles, ... 50
The Earldom of Boss inalienably annexed to the Crown, 50 The two bastard sons of the Lord of the Isles are made
heirs to the Lordship, . • . .51
Turbulent conduct of Angus, the elder of these, . . 51 The Islanders divided into two factions, one supporting
the Lord of the Isles, the other his son, . . 51 Angus of the Isles invades Boss and gains a victory over
the Mackenzies and others at Lagebread, . . 52 The Earls of Argyle and Athole endeavour to reconcile
him with his father, but without effect, . . 52 Battle of the Bloody Bay, in which Angus gains a naval
victory over his father's adherents, ... 53 Donald Dubh, the infant son of Angus, seized by the
Earl of Athole and imprisoned, ... 53 Angus of the Isles invades and ravages Athole, and carries
off the Earl and Countess of Athole as prisoners, . 53 In his return to the Isles, he meets with a storm, and,
under the influence of superstition, he liberates his
prisoners and performs a humiliating penance, . 54
He is assassinated at Inverness, .... 54
^Remarks on the chronology of the preceding events, . 55 Alexander of Lochalsh becomes the heir-apparent of his
uncle, the Lord of the Isles, .... 55
He invades the Earldom of Boss, . . . 55, 56
And ravages the lands of Cromarty, . . . 56
But is routed by the Mackenzies at Blairnepaik, . o6, 57
And his followers expelled from Boss, . . . 57
Excesses of the Mackenzies after their victory, . . 57
The Earl of Huntly is sent against them, . . 57 The Lord of the Isles is finally forfeited, . .58 And afterwards goes through the form of surrendering
his Lordship, . . . . . 58
He retires to the Monastery of Paisley and dies there, . 58 I^otices of the vassal tribes or clans that followed the
Lordsofthelsles, upto A.D. 1493, . . 58,59
The house of Lochalsh, ..... 59
The house of Sleat, or Clan Huistein, ... 60
The house of Isla and Kintyre, or Clan Ian Vor, . 61
XIV
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The Clan Ranaldbane of Largie, .
The house of Keppoch, or Clan Banald of Lochaber,
The Siol Gorrie (of Uist),
The Clan Banald of Moydert, Morar, Knoydert, and
Glengarry, .... The Clan Ian Abrach of Glenco, . The Clan Ian of Ardnamurchan, . The Clan Allaster of Kintyre, The Clan Gillean or Macleans, .
OfDowart,
Of Loch buy,
OfCoU, ....
Of Ardgour, The Clan Leod (comprehending) —
The Siol Torquil or Macleods of Lewis,
The Siol Tormod or Macleods of Harris, The Clan Chameron, The Clan Chattan, The Clan Neill (comprehending) —
The Macneills of Barra, .
The Macneills of Gigha, . The Clan Finnon or Mackinnons, The Clan Guarie or Macquarries of Ulva The Clan Duffie or Macfies of Colonsay, The Clan Eachem or MacEachems of Killelan, The Mackays of Ugadale in Kintyre, Notices of families temporarily connected with the Lord- ship of the Isles, but not vassals at the date of the forfeiture, 1493, . The Mackenzies of Kintaill, .... Vassals of the Lordship of Lorn —
The Macdougalls of Dunolly,
The Stewarts of Appin, .... The Earls of Argyle and the Campbells, .
63 G3 G4
G5
(}G
C7
OS
08
09
09,70
70,71
71
72-74
72
73,74
/4-/ 4
77-79
79,80
79, 80
79,80
80
81
81
81
82
82 83
83
83
84. 8 J
CHAPTEB L
AD. 1493-1513-
Introductory remarks^
86
TABLE OF CONTENTS. XV
Page
Moderation of James IV. in regard to the Lordship of
the Isles, ...... 87
He proceeds in person to the West Highlands, . . 87
Several of the vassals of the Isles make their submission, 87
He confers knighthood on Alexander of Lochalsh, and
on John of Isla, ..... 88
His promise to Alexander of Lochalsh, regarding the
free tenants of the Isles, .... 88
He again visits the Isles, and garrisons the castle of Tar-
bert, ... .... 88, 89
He makes a third visit to the Isles, and garrisons Duna-
verty in Kintyre, . ... .89
IMscontent of Sir John of Isla, .... 89
Who storms Dunaverty and hangs the Governor, . 89
Sir John and four of his sons are apprehended by Macian of Ardnamnrchan, and afterwards executed in Edin- burgh, ...... 90
The King visits the Isles a fourth time, and holds his
court at Mingarry in Ardnamurchan, . . 90
More of the vassals of the Isles make their submission, . 90, 91 Mackenzie of Kintaill, and Farquhar Mackintosh, eldest
son of the captain of the Clanchattan, are imprisoned , 9 1
Important act of Privy Council in reference to the Isles, 91
Beconciliation of five chiefs of rank in the West High- lands and Isles, ..... 92
Insurrection and defeat of Sir Alexander of Lochalsh, . 92
He is assassinated by Macian in the Isle of Oransay, . 93
Mackenzie of Kintaill and Farquhar Mackintosh escape
from Edinburgh Oastle, .... 93
Mackenzie is killed at the Torwood, and Mackintosh
again made prisoner, . . . .93
James IV. again visits the Isles, and holds his court in
Kintyre, ...... 93
He receives the homage of some of the Islanders, . 93
And suppresses the feuds of others, ... 94
Sadden change in the King's policy, ... 94
He revokes all the charters granted by him of lands in
the Isles, since 1493, .... 94
Commission to the Earl of Argyle to let the most part of
the Lordship of the Isles on lease, . . * • 94
XVi TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Pag© Various grants to Argyle, Lord Grordon, Stewart of
Appin, and Macian of Ardnamurcban, . . 94, 95
Feud between tbe Macleans and Camerons, . . 95 Legal proceedings against many of l^be old vassals of tbe
Isles, . . . . . .95
Discontent of tbe Islanders, . . ... 95
Tbey organize an insurrection in support of tbe claims of
Donald Dubb, son of Angus tbe bastard of tbe Isles, 96
Measures pursued by tbe King at tbis juncture, . 96
Macleod of Lewis is charged to deliver up Donald Dubb, 97
And is forfeited for refusing to obey, . . . 9T Commission to Huntly and otbers for letting forfeited
lands on lease, ..... 97 Efforts of tbe King to break up tbe confederacy of tbe
Islanders, ...... 97
In wbicb be is unsuccessful, .... 97
Tbe Islanders invade and ravage Badenocb, . . 98
Preparations for suppressing tbis rebellion, . . 98, 99
Tbe rebels increase in numbers, .... 99
New distribution of tbe BLigblands and Isles witb refer- ence to tbe administration of justice, . . 99, 100 Slow progress made by tbe government in reducing tbe
rebels, ..... 100,101
Submission of Maclean of Dowart and otbers of tbe rebel
cbiefs, ...... 101
Macleod of Lewis and otbers still bold out, . . 102
Tbe rebellion is at leugtb suppressed, . . . 102 Donald Dubb is again imprisoned, . . 102, 103 Consequences of tbe late rebellion, . . .103 Tbe King endeavours to promote a knowledge of tbe law
of Scotland in tbe Isles, .... 104
Great increase of power to tbe Earl of Huntly, . . 106
Gradual improvement of tbe Isles under James IV., . 106
Condition of tbe various tribes in tbe end of bis reign, . 106
Tbe bouse of Locbalsb, .... 106
Tbe Clan Huistein,
Tbe Clan Ian Vor,
Tbe Macdonalds of Keppocb,
Tbe Clan Ranald of Moydert,
Tbe Clan Ian of Ardnamurcban,
107 108
108. 109
109. 110 110
»
![
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The Clan Ian of Glenco, .
The Macleans and Clan Chameron,
The Macleods of Lewis^ •
The Mackenzies and Macleods of Easay, Popularity of James IV. with the Highlanders, Battle of Flodden, and death of James IV.,
xvii
Page 110 110,111 111 111 112 112
Curious anecdote connected with the battle of Flodden, 112, 113
CHAPTER II.
A.D. 1513-1542.
Confusion in Scotland afber the death of James IV., . 114 Insurrection of Sir Donald of Lochalsh, . . . 114
Who is supported hj Maclean of Dowart and Macleod of
Dunvegan, ...... 114,115
The Earl of Argyle sent against the insurgents, . . 115
Farther measures of the Privy Council against them, .115,116 Macian of Ardnamurchan supports the government, . 116 Strength of the insurgents, . . . .116
Some of them submit, and their example is followed by
Lochalsh, ...... 116,117
Jjochalsh projects a new insurrection, . . . 117
Apparently owing to the intrigues of English agents, .117,118 He expels Macian from Ardnamurchan, and seizes the
Castle of Mingarry, . . . . .118
His violence disgusts his followers, who desert him, . 118,119 Offers of Argyle, of the Macleans of Dowart and Lochbuy,
and of Macleod of Harris, to the Privy Council, 1 19-122 The Earl of Huntly and the Clanchattan, . . 123
Two brothers of Sir Donald of Lochalsh are executed, . 123 JMLaclean of Dowart takes the oath of allegiance, . . 123
Feud between Lochalsh and Ardnamurchan, . . 124
In which the latter and two of his sons are killed, . 125
Argyle advises the forfeiture of Lochalsh, . . 125
And takes a protest regarding it, . . .125
X>eath of Sir Donald- of Lochalsh, being the last male of
that house, ...... 126
Comparative tranquillity of the Isles, . . .126
XVUl
TABLE OP CONTENTS.
Increase of power of Argyle and the Campbells, .
Renewed disorders in the Isles, and their causes,
Dowart exposes his wife on a rock,
And is assassinated by Campbell of Calder,
James Y. escapes from the hands of Angus and the
Douglases, ......
Change of the policy of government regarding the Isles, Feud between the Macdonalds of Sleat and Macleods of
Sams, .....
Disturbances in the South Isles, . Argyle employed against the South Islanders, . A herald sent by the Privy Council to treat with Alex
ander of Isla, . ' .
The herald makes an unfavourable report. Further preparations for an expedition to the Isles, Nine of the principal Islanders treat with the King, Who resolves to proceed in person to the Isles, . And makes great preparations with that object, . AJexanderof Isla comes to Court, andis received into favour, Maclean of Dowart likewise submits. The King gives up his intention of going to the Isles, 0£fers of Argyll and Murray against the Islanders, These Earls proceed to the Isles, . General submission of the Islanders, Terms given to Alexander of Isla, The Privy Council begin to distrust Argyle, Insidious conduct of that nobleman, Accusations preferred by Alexander of Isla against him
and offers of service by that chief, . Argyle recalled and committed to prison, Alexander of Isla is sent to Ireland, at the head of a
body of men, by James V., . . . .
The King attends to the education of the son of that chief. The West Highlands and Isles continue quiet for several
years, . . . • •
Present position of the Clanhuistein of Sleat, Insurrection of Donald Gorme of Sleat, . He ravages Troutemess, and invades Kintaill, . And is killed before the Castle of Elandonan, James Y. proceeds to the Isles with a large naval force,
126,127 127
128 12a
129 12^
130,131 132 132
133 133
133,134
133,134 135 135 136 136 136
136,137 137
137,138 138 139 140
140,141 142
142 143
143 144 145 145 145,146 146,147
TABLE OF CONTENTS. xix
Page
And makes all the great chiefs prisoners, . • 147,1^8
Some of whom are liberated, on giving hostages for their
good conduct, . . • . . 148
Whilst others are detained in confinement, . 148
Royal garrisons placed in the Isles, . . .14^
TheLordshipof the Isles inalienablyannexedto theCrovn, 149 Death of James Y., and consequences of that event, . 150
CHAPTER III.
AD. 1 542-1 560.
State of parties in Scotland after the death of James Y., 151,152 Intrigues of Henry YIIL, .... 152
Singular political changes. The Earls of Arxan and
Lennox change sides, . . . .153
Consistency of the Earls of Huntly and Argyle, . . 154
Secdlid escape from prison of Donald Dubh of the Isles, . 154 The captive chiefs and hostages liberated by the English party, in order to assist Donald Dubh in embarraanng Argyle and Huntly, ..... 155,156
I>oiiald Dubh and the Islanders invade the Earldom of
Argyle, . . . . ., . 156
Ofiers made by the Eegent Arran to Donald Dubh, but
rejected, ..*... 156,157 James Macdonald of Isla, alone of the Islanders, supports
the Regent, . . . . . .157
Disturbances in the North. Feud between the Clanranald
and the Erasers, ..... 157
Origin of this feud, ..... 157,158
The Clanranald invade the lands of the Erasers and Grants, 159 Huntly, with the Erasers and Grants, mardies against
them, and invades Lochaber, . . . 159
The Clanranald and their allies retire on his approach, . 159 Huntly and the Grants retumby Glenspean and Badenoch, 1 60 liord Lovat and the Erasers return by the Great Glen, . 160 Th^ are intercepted by the Clanranald, . . .160
SiKttle of Kinloch-lochy, in which Lovat and nearly all
followers are slain, .... 161,162
TABLE OF CONTENTS,
Pftge
163
Huntly again invades Lochaber and wastes the lands of
the rebels, ......
The Earl of Lennox, with an English armament, enters
the Clyde, and commits great devastations, 164-167
He intrigues with the Islanders, . • . .167
Failing in the main object of his expedition (the capture
of Dumbarton Castle), he returns to England, Battle of Ancrum Muir, .... By the influence of Lennox, the Islanders enter into a
treasonable correspondence with England, . Proclamation of the Scottish government against Donald
Dubh and his followers. The Islanders threatened with forfeiture, Donald Dubh, now styling himself Lord of the Isles
sends commissioners to the English court, . Names of his barons and council of the Isles, Four thousand Islanders proceed to Knockfergus, And take an oath of allegiance to England, They engage to forward the views of Henry VIII., Description of these Hebridean troops, . Treaty between the commissioners of the Lord of the
Isles and Henry VIII., Preparations for an invasion of Scotland from Ireland* The absence of the Earl of Lennox causes the postpone- ment of the expedition, The Islanders return to Scotland — ^their dissensions, Lennox a second time enters the Clyde, hoping to seize
Dumbarton Castle, .... Bat is again foiled and forced to retire to Ireland, Donald Dubh of the Isles dies at Drogheda, He is sumptuously interred by Lennox, . . '
James Macdonald of Isla, changing his politics, is chosen
to succeed him, ....
But is only partially supported by the Islanders, Several of whom are reconciled to the Kegent Arran, James Macdonald enters into communication with the
Privy Council of Ireland and the Court of Eng- land, ....... 177,178
His proposals, and demand of a pension, . . .178
Henry VIII. ceases to intrigue with the Islanders, . 178,179
167
168
169
169 170
170 170 170 170 171 171
172,173 173,174
174 174
175 176 176 176
177 177 177
TABLE OF CONTENTS. XXI
Figo
Lochiel andKeppoch apprehended and executed for high
treason, *.....• 179
Most of the other western chiefs submit to the Kegent, . 179
Disputes between Argyle and James Macdonald, . 180
Settled by the mediation of the Eegent, . . . 180
Battle of Pinky, ...... 180
Many of the Islanders absent from the army, . . 181 Causes of their backwardness, . . . .181
Influence of Mary of Guise, the Queen-mother, . . 181 Who endeavours to re-introduce the policy of James V. in
regard to the Islanders, .... 181,182
The Kegent, by her advice, holds courts at Aberdeen and
Inverness, ...... 182
Proceedings against the Clanranald and Clanchameron, . 182
The Queen-mother assumes the Begency, . . 183 The Earls of Huntly and Argyle ordered to proceed against
the Clanranald and the North Islanders, . . 183
Their want of success, ..... 183
Causes of Huntly's failure, . . . .184
Inquiry into Huntly's conduct, .... 184
He is disgraced and punished by the Queen Regent, . 184 The forfeiture of the late William Macintosh, captain of the
Clanchattan, is rescinded, .... 184
Argyle sent against Macleod of Lewis, who submits, . 185 Athole prevails on John Moydertach, captain of the Clan- ranald, to surrender himself to the Kegent, . . 185 [Escape of John Moydertach, .... 185
The Queen Kegent holds justice courts at Inverness, • 186
Severity of her measures, .... 186
JTolin Moydertach flies to the remote Isles, . . 186 Progress of the Keformation, as far as regards the High- lands and Isles, ..... 186,187
The fifth Earl of Argyle becomes a great Protestant leader, 187 The Queen Kegent, to weaken Argyle, intrigues with
James Macdonald of Isla, .... 187
Bat eventually fedls of success, and Macdonald joins the
ProtestantS; . . . . . .188
Death and character of 'the Queen Kegent, . . 188
XXU TABLE OP CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV. •
A.D. 1561-1585.
Pag©
General remarks on the state of the Highlands and Isles, 189 Fend between the Macleans of Dowart and Coll, . 190
Feud between the Macleans of Dowart and the Macdonalds
of Isla and Kintyre, . . . . .191
Proceedings of the Privy Council in this feud, . . 191,192
Death of James Macdonald of Isla, in a battle in Ulster
with the O'Neills, . . • . .192
Retrospect of the History of the Clandonald in Ulster, up
to the death of James Macdonald, . 192-200
Rebellion of Shane O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, . 200
He is killed by the Clandonald in Ulster, . . 201
His successor, Torlogh Luineach 0*NeiU, kills Alexander
Oig, brother of James Macdonald, . . . 201
The Clandonald of Isla and Kintyre weakened by their
losses in Ireland, , . . . . 201
Opposition of Argyle and Murray to the marriage of Queen
Mary with Damley, ..... 201 They rebel, but are forced to fly to England, . . 201,202
Proclamation regarding the trade in cattle and other com- modities with the West Highlands and Isles, . 202 Dissensions in the Clanchameron, and murder of Donald
Dubh, captain of that tribe, .... 202,203 Argyle extends his influence over the Clandonald of the
North Isles, and the Clanleod of Harris, . . 203
Retrospect of the history of these clans, pointing out the
circumstances which favoured Argyle's projects, 203-207 Queen Mary deposed. Efiects of that event on the High- lands and Isles, . . . . . 207 Vigorous measures of the Regent Murray, . 208 He suppresses a feud between the Clanchattan and the
Macdonalds of Keppoch, .... 20S And another dispute between the Macdonalds of Sky and
the Mackenzies of Kintaill, .... 209 ( *auses of the latter feud, .... 209
Retrospect of the history of the Siol Torquil or Macleods
of Lewis, ..... .209,210
TABLE OP CONTENTS. XSJii
Pftge
Massacre of the Macleods of Hasaj, . . 211
Feud between the Mackenzies and the Macleods of Lewis, ' 212 In which the Macdonalds of Sky support the latter, . 212 Principal partisans of the contending tribes, . . 213
Begencies of the Earls of Lennox and Mar, . . 213
Begencj of the Earl of Morton, . . . .213
Farther dissensions in the Siol Torquil, . . 213,214
Quarrel between the Earls of Argyle and Athole, . 214,215
Which is suppressed by the interference of the Regent, . 215 Argyle and Athole unite against Morton, who is at length
deprived of the Regency, . . . .215
Lifluence of Captain James Stewart, afterwards Earl of
Arran, ...... 215
Complaints by Glengarry and others against the Earl of
Argyle, for oppression, . . . .216
Violent conduct of Lauchlan Mor Maclean, the young
chief of Dowart, ..... 217
He renews the feud between his family and the Mac- donalds of Isla, . . . .218
Temporary reconciliation between these tribes, . . 218
Feud between the chiefs of Glengarry and Kintail], .218,219 Renewed dissensions in the Siol Torquil, . . 219,220
History of the Clandonald in Ulster, since the death of
James Macdonald of Isla, . . . 221-227
Borley Buy Macdonald, ancestor of the Earls of An- trim,. . . . ... 221-227
Act of Council in favour of Angus Macdonald of Isla, . 227 Several great chiefs in the Isles summoned before the
Privy Council, ..... 227
Continuation of the history of the Clanchameron, . 228,229
Fall of James Stewart, Earl of Arran, . . 229
James VL assumes the Government, . . . 229
CHAPTER V.
A.D. 1585-1595.
The feud between the Macdonalds and Macleans again
breaks out, ...... 230
XXIV
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
230,232 232,233 233,235 234 235 235,236
Causes of its renewal, ....
Mutual treachery of Maclean and Macdonald, .
Progress of the feud, ....
Barbarity of the Macdonalds,
Mutual ravages of the contending clans, .
Tribes involved in this feud on either side.
Measures taken by the government for suppressing this
feud, ......
Important act of Parliament, commonly called the General
Bond, .....
Angus Macdonald of Isla is outlawed. Whilst Lauchlan Mor Maclean is received into favour. Treachery of Maclean to John Macian of Ardnamurchan Massacre of many of the Clan Ian, The Macleans invade the lands of the Clan Ian, and are
assisted by some Spanish troops. The Macleans besiege the Castle of Mingarry, but are
forced to raise the siege. The Macdonalds employ English auxiliaries, Suspension of hostilities between the Macdonalds and
Macleans, ..... The chiefs of Dowart, Isla, and Sleat, are entrapped by
the government, and thrown into prison, Lauchlan Mor Maclean and Angus Macdonald are brought
to trial, and submit themselves to the King's mercy, 241 Observations on the policy of James VI., . . 241,242
Embarrassments and cupidity of that Monarch, . . 242
Maclean and Macdonald pardoned on paying a fine to the
King, ...... 242
And on agreeing to certain conditions imposed on them, 243,244 Murder of the bonny Earl of Murray, . . . -244
And of John Campbell of Calder, . . . 245
These murders the result of one plot, . . . 245
Origin and progress of this plot, and names of the con-
236
237 237 237 238 238
239
240 240
240
240,241
spirators, . . . . .
Ardkinlass is suspected of the murder of Calder, He refuses to plot against the Earl of Argyle, . Whose life is attempted by poison, Ardkinlass has recourse to witchcraft. Partial discovery of the plot.
245-251 251 251 252 252 252
TABLE OF CONTENTS. XXV
Page
Some of the inferior agents executed, . . . 252
Ardkinlass and Macdoagall of Dunolly are thrown into |
prison, bat escape punishment, . . .252
Confessions of Ardkinlass and of Margaret Campbell, . 253 General feeling against the Chancellor Thirlestane, as
concerned in these murders, . . . 253
Farther inquiry stifled by undue influence, . . 253 Effects of the murder of the Earl of Murray and Campbell
ofCalder, ...... 254
The Macintoshes take part against Huntly, . . 25^
Who courts the Macphersons, .... 255
Feud between the Stewarts of Appin and Campbells of
Calder, ...... 255
The Island chiefs feiil to perform the conditions imposed
upon them, ...... 255
They are summoned before the Privy Council, and threat- ened with forfeiture, ..... 255
Proceedings in Parliament against them, . . 256 The Earls of Huntly, Angus, and Erroll, and the chiefs of
Do wart and Isla, forfeited by Parliament, . . 256 The forfeited Earls rise in arms, . . . . 256, 257
The Earl of Argyle sent against them, . . . 257 Battle of Belrinnes or Glenlivat and defeat of Argyle, . 257, 259
Treachery and death of Campbell of Lochnell, . . 258 Gallantbehaviourof Maclean of Do wart as one of Argyle's
officers, ...... 259
The King proceeds in person against the rebel Earls, . 259
Who are forced to disband their followers and fly abroad, 260
MacRanald of Keppoch submits to Argyle, . . 260 Macdonald of Sleat and Macleod of Harris lead some
forces to assist the rebel O'Donnell in Ulster, . 261
Tyrone offers to procure the expulsion of these auxiliaries 261
But rebels himself in the following year, . . . 261 The Scottish Privy Council forbid assistance to be given
to the Irish rebels, ..... 262
3XV1 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.
A.D. i595-i6©3.
Pago
Endeavours of the King to increase his revenue from the
Isles, ....... 263
Proclamation for an expedition to the Isles, by the King
in person, ...... 264
Effects of this proclamation on the Islanders, . . 264 Position of the Siol Torquil, .... 264,266
The King gives up his intention of going to the Isles, . 265 And orders the Commendator of Pittenweem against the
Clandonald of Isla and Kintyre, . . . 265 Further preparations for this expedition, . . 266,267
Which is delayed for several months, . . . 267 The King writes to James Macdonald of Dunluce {son of
Sorley Buy\ ...... 268
Bome of the royal forces proceed to Kintyre, . . 268
Offers by the Macdonalds of Isla to the Privy Council, . 268
The Commendator ofPittenweem holds a Court in Kintyre, 268 And receives the submission of the inhabitants of that
district, ...... 269
Feud between the Macleans of Do wart and Coll, . 269
Act of Privy Council in favour of the latter, . . 270
Renewed dissensions in the Siol Torquil, . . 270
One party of which tribe is supported by the Mackenzies, 271 Torquil Dubh Macleod of the Lewis is apprehended and
executed, ...... 271
Neill Macleod, a bastard, takes the command of the Lewis, 271,272 Feud between the Mackenzies of Gerloch and the Siol
Vic Gillichallum of Rasay, .... 272
Various plans for curbing the Clandonald of Isla, . 272 Conditions required from, and agreed to, by Angus Mac- donald of Isla, .... .272,273
Claims of James Macdonald of Dunluce, . . .273 That chief is invited to Scotland, and arrives at Edin- burgh on a visit to the King, . . . 273 His claims are rejected by the Scottish Privy Council, 274 He is knighted by James VL, who grants to him some
lands in Kintyre, ..... 274
TABLE OF CONTENTS. XXvii
Page
Maclean of Dowart and Macdonald of Isla prepare to pro- ceed to Ireland with a body of men, . . 274 Apprehensions of the Irish Privy Counci], . . 274,275 Probable views of Angus Macdonald in this measure, . 275 The projected enterprise of the Islanders is given up, . 275 Act of Parliament requiring the chiefs in the Highlands
and Isles to exhibit their charters, . . 275,276
Undue severity and real object of this Act, . . 276
Act of Parliament for erecting three new royal burghs in
the Highlands and Isles, .... 277
A Council of ten appointed to deliberate on the state of
the Highlands and Isles, .... 277
Forfeitures in consequence of the Act firstabove mentioned, 278 The Isle of Lewis and other lands granted to a company
of Lowland adventurers, .... 278
The terms of their contract with government, . . 279
The proceedings of government too precipitate, . . 279
And a strong party thus formed in the North Isles against
the adventurers, ..... 280
Sir James Macdonald sent from court to treat with his
father Angus Macdonald of Isla, . . . 280
Violent and unnatural conduct of Sir James, . . 281,282
The King proposes to make an expedition in person to
Kintyre, . . . . . . 282
Preparations for this expedition, .... 282
The King again declines to go to the Isles, and names
the Duke of Lennox in his place, . . . 283
Probable causes of the King's backwardness, . . 283
The expedition seems to have totally failed, . . 283
Renewal of the feud between the Macdonalds and Mac- leans, . . . . . ' .284,285
Battle of Lochgruinart in Isla between Sir James Mac- donald {son of Angus) and Sir Lauchlan Mor Mac- lean, ....... 285
Defeat and death of Maclean, .... 285
His son and successor invades and ravages Isla, encounter- ing and defeating the Macdonalds, . . . 285 Lauchlan Mor Maclean seems to have been the aggres- sor in this feud, ..... 286
Commission of Lieutenandry over the whole Isles and
XXVlll
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Pa«e
Highlands of Invemess-sbire granted to Lennox and
Huntly, ...... 286
Heal objection of tbis commission to assist the Lewis ad- venturers, ...... 287
But it seems to have produced little effect, . . 287 Offers of Sir James Macdonald regarding Kintyre and
Isla, ....... 288
They are approved of by the Privy Council, . . 288
But lead to no satisfactory result, . . . 288 This failure the result of the intrigues of Argyle and
Calder, ...... 289
Progress of the Lowland adventurers in the Lewis, . 290
They are opposed by the natives, . . . 2';^1 With whom at length they make an agreement, . . 291,292
Confessions of one of the Lewismen, . . . 292 Mackenzie of Kintaill is apprehended in consequence, and
committed to prison, . . . , .292
But escapes without a trial, through his influence with
the Chancellor, ..... 292
The Kinga third time projectsgoing to the Isles in person, 292
And makes great preparations accordingly, . . 293
But a third time abandons liis intention, . . . 293
Lennox made Lieutenant over the South Isles, . . 293 And Huntly over the North Isles, . . . 293,294 Instructions to the Lieutenants and powers conferred
upon them, ...... 294
These commissions produce no effect, . . . 294 Feud between the Macdonalds and Macleods in Sky, . 295,296 The Privy Council interfere, . . . .290
And a* reconciliation is afterwards effected between the
chiefs of Sleat and Harris, . . . .297
Progress of the adventurers of the Lewis, . . 297
They quarrel with Neill Macleod, . . . 297
Who defeats a party of them, . . . . 298
Tormod Macleod assumes the command of the island, . 298 And, encouraged by the Mackenzies, attacks the colonists,
and forces them to capitulate, . . . 298
Terms of the capitulation, .... 299
The colonists, after evacuating the Lewis, make prepara- tions to return, ..... 299
'•.
~^^ rjr .' ^^:ii.-_-^ ^ ^£-"^1^^
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
XXIX
Page
299
But are forced to delay the recovery ofthe island for a time, Kenewal of the feud between Glengarry and the Macken-
zieSy . . . . . . . 300
Mutual ravages of these clans, .... 300,303
The eldest son of Glengarry is drowned in the Kyles of
Sky, ....... 301
The Bald of Kilchrist and barbarity of the Glengarry men, 302 These disputes are at length amicably settled, . . 303
James VI. ascends the throne of Great Britain, . . 303
His preparations for that event cause him to neglect the
Highlands and Isles, ....
Immediate consequences of this neglect, . The expedition to the Lewis again delayed,
303 . 303,304 304
CHAPTER VI I.
A.D. 1603 -i6io.
Apprehension and imprisonment of Sir James Macdonald, Argyle presents him before the Privy Council, . He is committed to the Castle of Blackness, But, attempting to escape, is removed to Edinburgh Castle, Hector Maclean of Dowart promises to deliver up the
Castle of Dowart, ..... Lord Scone commissioned to proceed to Kintyre, to receive
the submission of the Islanders, Many of the chiefs summoned to meet him there, They are threatened with forfeiture if they disobey. Proclamations for supporting Lord Scone in the execution
of his commission, .... Offers made by Angus Macdonald of Isla, at Glasgow, Lord Scone holds a court in Kintyre, * . His proceedings in that district, . Further proceedings of the colonists of the Lewis, Tormod Macleod yields to the terms proposed by them, . But, on his going to court, the colonists become jealous
of him, . . . . . .
And procure his imprisonment inTEdinbiirgh Castle, The colonists are still annoyed by Neill Macleod,
305 306 306 306
306
306 306,307 307 • 306 307 308 308 309 309
310 310 310
XXX TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page
Lord Scone reports his proceedings, . . . 310
The result is unfavourable to Angus Macdonald, . 310
Argyle seeks a grant of Kintyre, and confers with Lord
Scone on tlie subject, .... 310,311
Sir James Macdonald again attempts to escape, and is
again frustrated, . . . . .311
Angus Macdonald's hostage escapes from Dumbarton
Castle, ...... 311
Kintyre and Jura granted to the Earl of Argyle, . 311
The Macdonalds of Kintyre and Isla rise in arms and
threaten Galloway and Carrick, . . . 312
Argyle is appointed Justiciar and Lieutenant over the
South Isles, . . . . . .312
Limitations of his commission, . . . .312
The Castle of Dunyveg in Isla holds out against him, . 313 It is proposed to employ the Marquis of Huntly against
the North Isles, except Sky and Lewis, . . 313
Discussions between the King, the Privy Council, and
Huntly, on this subject, . . . .313
The extirpation of the North Islanders seriously pro- posed by the King, . . . . .314
And agreed to by Huntly, .... 314
Bent offered by Huntly for the Isles proposed to be
gi'anted to him, ..... 314
His offers submitted to the King, . . . 314
The proceedings of the Presbyterians against Huntly cause his commission against the North Isles to be suspended, ...... 315
The Lewis adventurers weary of their undertaking, . 315 And forsake the Island, ..... 316
The Lord of Kintaill secretly procures a grant of the
Lewis, ...... 316
But is forced to resign it, on a complaint by the adven- turers, ...... 316
The Lewis, by consent of the adventurers, granted anew
to three individuals only, .... 316
Petitions of Sir James Macdonald to the Privy
Council, ...... 316
He attempts to open a correspondence with the King and
the Duke of Lennox, .... 317
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
XXXI
pftg» He joins Lord Maxwell in an attempt to escape from
Edinburgh Castle, . . . . .317
Maxwell escapes, but Sir James, after getting out of the
Castle, is retaken, . . . . .317
Instructions issued for his trial, . . . .317
He is examined by the Privy Council, . . . 317
His trial is postponed in the meantime, . . . 318
Great preparations for a new expedition to the Isles, . 318 .Commission to Lord Ochiltree and the Bishop of the Isles,
to confer with Macdonald of Isla and Maclean of
Dowart, ...... 318
Instructions to these Commissioners, . . . 319 Angus Macdonald charged to deliver up the Castle of
Dunyveg, . . . . . .319
Further preparations for the expedition to the Isles, . 319,320
The Bishop of the Isles sent to consult with the King, . 320
Lord Ochiltree appointed Lieutenant over the Isles, . 321
Counsellors appointed to assist him, . . . 321
The King's instructions as to Sir James Macdonald, . 321
liord Ochiltree proceeds to the Isles, . . . 322
And is joined by forces from Ireland, . • . 322
Proceedings of the Royal forces, .... 332
Ochiltree holds a court at Aros in Mull, . . . 322 Where the principal Islanders meet him and make their
submission, ...... 323
He entraps and carries off most of these chiefs with him, 324
They are confined in Dumbarton, Blackness, and Stirling, 324
Ochiltree reports his proceedings to the Privy Council, . 324
Humble petitions of the imprisoned Chiefs, . . 325
Commissioners appointed fortheimprovement of the Isles, . 325
Instructions from the King to these Commissioners, . 325 These measures the commencement of a real improvement
in the Isles, ...... 326
The Commissioners communicate with the different Chiefs, 326
And report the result of their deliberations to the King, 326 Sir James Macdonald is brought to trial and condemned
to death, ..... .326,327
But the execution of the sentence is suspended, . . 328
Probable causes of this apparent lenity, . . . 328
The King directs a survey of the Isles to be made, . 329
XXXii TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Pa«e
The Commissioners for the Isles modify the King's plan, 329 Directions given to the Bishoj) and the chiefs in conse- quence, . . . . . . 329
The Bishop holds a court at Icolmkill, . . . 330
Which is attended by all the island chiefs, . . 330 Who unanimously pass and bind themselves to observe
nine important statutes, . . , . . 330,333
Details of the Statutes of Icolmkill, . . . 333 Effects of these Statutes on the descendants of those who
enacted them, ..... 333
Report made by the Bishop to the Privy Council/ . , 333
He is deputed to present the Report to the King, . 334 Measures taken by the Privy Council in consequence of
this report, ...... 334
A proclamation interfering with the trade of the Isles
is annulled, . . . ... . 334
Sir George Hay and Sir James Spens prepare for a new
colonization of the Lewis, .... 334,335 But, owing to the intrigues of Mackenzie of Kintaill,
are unsuccessful, . . . . .335
And forced to quit the Island, .... 335
They sell the Lewis to Kintaill, .... 335 Who, having thus acquired a legal title to that island,
speedily reduces it to obedience, . . . 336 Fate of the survivors of the Siol Torquil, . 336-338 The representation of this tribe devolves on Macleod of
Rasay, ...... 338
CHAPTER VIII.
A.D. 1610-1615.
The King approves of the Statutes of Icolmkill^ . 339
Proceedings of the Privy Council in consequence^ . 339
The Bishop of the Isles is appointed Steward and Justice
of all the Hebrides, . . . . . 340
And Constable of the Castle of Dunyveg, . . 340
Temporary tranquillity of the West BEighlands and Isles, 340,341 J
The Siol Torquil and the Mackenzies, . . .341 a
TABLE OF CfONTENTS.
ZXXIU
Pago
341 342
342-345 345 345 345 34G
346,347 347
347
347 348
The Clanebameron and Clanranald of Lochaber,
iHssensions in the Clanchameron,
Origin and progress of these dissensions,
Lochiel chastises his refractory clansmen,
Lochiel and his followers proclaimed rebels.
And a commission given to Huntly against them.
Dissensions in the Clanneill of Barra,
Origin of these dissensions, and their suppression,
Death of Angus Macdonald of Isla,
Isia granted in lease to Sir Ranald MacSorlej Buy,
He endeavours to introduce some Irish customs into
XoXm, • • • • • •
But is prohibited by the Privy CouncU, .
The difference between the Irish and Hebridean customs
at that time, caused by the greater progress of the
feudal system in the Hebrides, The piincipal Islanders continue in their obedience, Fears of an insurrection of the Macleans, regarding the
lands of Morvem, ..... The Castle of Dunyveg is taken from the Bishop's
garrison by the Macdonalds, And placed in the hands of Angus Oig Macdonald, Who professes his readiness to restore it to the Bishop, Petition and offers of Sir James Macdonald to the Privy
Council, ......
He is suspected of being privy to the seizure of Dunyveg, His papers are examined, but rather prove the reverse, 350, 351 Angus Oig ordered to deliver up the Castle, . . 351
And a commission given to the Bishop against him, in
case he should refuse, ....
Angus Oig refuses to deliver up Dunyveg, The !Rbhop again visits Isla, carrying with him a con- ditional pardon for the Macdonalds, "Who, however, not only retain the Castle, but make the
Bishop and his followers prisoners, . The Bishop is compelled to treat with Angus Oig, 352, 353
And to give hostages for performance of his part of the
treaty, ••••••
The Bisht^ is set at liberty, and writes the Council
regarding the late events, ....
3
348 348
348
349
349 349
350 350
351 351
351
352
353
353
XXXIV
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Pago Reasons for supposing that Angus Oig and Lis followers
were secretly incited by Avgyle, . . 354, 355
GThe Privy Council prepare to recover Dunyveg by
force, ......
Commission to Campbell of Calder against the Macdonalds
oflsla, ......
It is proposed to grant Isla to Calder,
Discontent of the Macdonalds, ....
Opinion of the Bishop as to this project, .
New offers made by Sir James Macdonald,
Preparations for suppressing the rebels of Isla, .
Instructions to Calder regarding this service.
The Earl of Dunfermline, Chancellor, intrigues for relief
of the Bishop's hostages, .... His emissary, Graham, by deceiving the Macdonalds,
procures the liberation of the hostages. And, at the same time, encourages Angus Gig to hold out, On the approach of the royal forces, Graham leaves the
Macdonalds to their fate, Isla is granted to Campbell of Calder, Dunyveg is summoned by the Irish division of the royal
forces, .....
But Angus Gig refuses to surrender, pleading the Chan
cellor's instructions as received from Graham, Junction of the Irish and Scottish forces, Dunyveg is besieged in form, And, after a short siege, Angus Gig submits uncondition
ftllv
But Coll MacGillespick and some of the garrison escape, Many of the rebels are condemned and executed, Angus Gig and others reserved for examination by the
Privy Council, .... 364, 365
Investigation into Graham's proceedings, . . 365
Feeling against Argyle and the Chancellor regarding this
anair, ... . • •
The investigation is smothered, .... The Chancellor was really implicated, No credit given to the statements of Graham, . Coll MacGillespick and others of the Clandonald become
pirates, ......
355
355 356 356 356 357 358 358
359
359 360
361 361
362
362, 363 • 363 363
364 364 364
365 365 366 366
366
-—.-'*
TABLE OF CONTENTS. XXXV
Page
Sir James Macdonald at length effects his escape from
Edinburgh Castle, .... 366, 367
367
•367,368
368
368
His reasons for this step,
Details of his flight and of the pursuit,
He reaches the Isles in safety,
And is joined by Coll MacGillespick,
"Whose followers receive Sir James with enthusiasm, 368, 369
Sir James sails in the direction of Tsia, . . . 369
Measures of the Privy Council in this emergency, 369, 370
Instructions for defending the west coast against Sir
James and his adherents, .... 371 Sir James Macdonald arrives in the Isle of Colonsay, . 372 He proceeds thence to Isla, and recovers the Castle of
Dunyveg from Calder's Garrison, . . . 372
He dismisses his prisoners uninjured, . . . 373
Numbers of his adherents at this time, . . . 373
Argyle is summoned from Court iu ord(!r to act as Lieu- tenant against the rebels, . . . .373 Further preparations by the Privy Council, . 373, 374 Auchinbreck appointed Lieutenant in the meantime, . 374 Trial and execution of Angus Gig Macdonald and his
followers, . . . . . .374
General sympathy for their fate, .... 374
Sir James addresses letters to many of the nobility
explaining his conduct, . . . 374, 375
His character, and implacable hostility to the Campbells, 375 His letters, being intercepted, come into the hands of
tlie Privy Council, . . . •. . 375
Who decline to hold any communication with him, . 375 Sir James fortifies the Island of Lochgormo, . . 376
He attempts to seize Macneill of Taynish, . . 376
He is joined by the men of Colonsay and Jura, . . 376
The men of Argyle and Lorn refuse to march against
him, unless under a Royal Lieutenant, . . 376
The Kintyro men prepare to join Sir James, . . 377
Various reports in circulation, .... 377 Further preparations by the Privy Council, . . 377
Instructions from the King to the Earl of Argyle as .
Lieutenant, ..... 377,378
Sit James Macdonald proce3ds to Kintyre, . . 378
XXXVi TABLE OP CONTENTS.
, Page- He sends the fiery cross through that district, and is
joined by many of the inhabitants, . . . 379 Auchinbreck, -with a few troops, watches Sir James'
motions, ...... 379'
Report by Auchinbreck to the Privy Council, and jnea-
sures taken in consequence, .... 379
Auchinbreck confines the rebels to Kintyre, . . 380- Secretary Binning writes in severe terms to Aigyle for
his delay, ...... 380^
Argyle has an interview with Binning, . . . 380
And then confers with the Privy Council, . . 381 Arrangements made by the Council with Argyle, 381, 382
Argyle assembles his forces at Duntroon, . . 382 After reconnoitering the position of the rebels, Argyle
divides his troops into two divisions, . 382, 383
Intended to invade Kintyre both from the west and east, 383
Movements of the rebels, .... 383
Success of Argyle's tactics — Flight of the rebels, . 384
They are pursued by the royal forces, . . . 384
And attempt to rally in Isla, .... 385 Being closely pressed, they are forced to disperse, 385, 386
And Sir James, with a few followers, escapes to Ireland, 386 Buny veg and the Fort of Lochgorme are surrendered by
Coll MacGillespick, ..... 386^
Who receives a conditional pardon from Argyle, . 386 Argyle executes nineteen of the principal inhabitants of
Isla, . . . . ■ . . . 387 He then returns to Kintyre, and executes many of the
rebels in that district, .... 387 He endeavours to ascertain the movements of Sir James,
and the others who had escaped,- . . 387, 388
The Council dissatisfied at the escape of so many of the
principal rebels, ..... 388-
Argyle reports his proceedings to the Privy Council, . 389" By whom they are generally approved of, . 389, 390
TABLE OF CONTENTS. XXXVU
CHAPTER IX.
A.D. 1615-1625.
Page Proceedings of the Privy Council against Macranald of
Keppoch and bis son, .... 391 And for the suppression of some of the other rebels \^ho
still infested the Isles, .... 392 Oommission to the Marquis of Huntly against Keppoch, 392 Several of the Island chiefs make their annual appear- ance before the Privy Council, . . . 392 Conditions imposed upon them, by their own consent, 393-396 The exaction of calps abolished, .... 397 Keppoch and Lochiel continue outlaws, . . .397 State of affairs between Lochiel and Macintosh, . 397, 398 Lochiel is forced to reconcile himself with Huntly, . 398 And obtains the support of the latter against Macintosh, 398 Keppoch and his second son escape to Spain, and join
Sir James Macdonald, .... 398 Argyle's second son, James, made Lord Kintyre, . 399 Argyle becomes a Catholic, and, under pretence of bene- fiting his health, goes abroad, . . . 399 And enters into correspondence with Sir James Macdonald
and Keppoch in Spain, .... 399 He is summoned before the Scottish Privy Council,
under pain of treason, .... 400 Arrangements made by the Privy Council for the good
rule of the Earldom of Argyle, . . . 400 Argyle, failing to appear, is declared a traitor, . . 401 He enters into the military service of Spain, and dis- tinguishes himself, ..... 401 The fee of the Earldom having previously been conveyed
to his eldest son. Lord Lorn, . . . ' 401
Sir James Macdonald and Keppoch recalled from Spain, 401 They receive pensions from the King, and pardons for
all their offences, ..... 401
The Privy Council object to their being pardoned, . 401 Without sufficient security being found for their future
good conduct, ..... 402
XXXVlll TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Sir James Macdouald dies in London, . . . 402
Keppoch visits Scotland, and, having satisfied the Council,
is restored to his estate, .... 402
Commissions to Lord Gordon against Lochiel, and
Keppoch's eldest son, .... 402
These commissions are not vigorously acted on, . . 403
Macintosh obtains a commission against Lochiel, . 403
The death of Macintosh opens a door for an amicable arrangement between the Clan Chameron and Clan Chattan, ...... 403
Lochiel freed from his outlawry, . . . . 404
Additional enactments, by consent of the chiefs, for the
civilisation of the Isles, . . . 404, 405
Insurrection of the Clan lau of Ardnamurchan, . . 405
Ketrospect of the history of this tribe, showing the
causes of their insurrection, . . . 405-409
The Clan Ian rise in arms, and betake themselves to
piracy, ...... 410
Measures of Government for suppressing this insurrection, 410 Lord Lorn and other chiefs are employed against the
Clan Ian, ...... 410
The insurrection is suppressed, and Lord Lorn reports
his proceedings to the Privy Council, . . 411
By whom his conduct is approved of, . . .411
Ardnamurchan and Sunart granted to Mr. Donald
Campbell, . . . . . .411
Who is afterwards created a Baronet, . . . 411
Fate of the survivors of the Clan Ian, . . . 411
Concluding notices of the different families treated of in
this work, ..... 412-427
The house of Lochalsh, . . . .412
The house of Sleat, .... 412
The Clan Ian Vor (comprehending) —
The iVIacdonalds of Colonsay, . . . 413
The Earls of Antrim, . . . .414
The Macdonalds of Sanda, . . .414
The Macdonalds of Largie, . . . 414
The Clan Banald of Lochaber or Macdonalds of
Keppoch, ..... 415
Tlie Clan Ranald of Garmoran (comprehending) — 416-418
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
XXXIX
Page 416
416 417
The Clan Ranald of Moydert, .
The Clan Ranald of Knoydei-t, .
The Clan Ranald of Morar,
The Clan Ranald of Glengarry, and the prin cipal cadets of these families, The Clan Ian of Glenco, . The Clan Ian of Ardnamurchan, . The Clan Allister of Kintyre, The Clan Gillean (comprehending) —
The Macleans of Dowart,
The Macleans of Lochbuy,
The Macleans of Coll, .
The Macleans of Ardgour,
And their principal cadets, The Siol Torquil or Macleods of Lewis and their cadets, .....
The Siol Tormod or Macleods of Harris and their
principal cadets, . . . 420, 421
The Clan Chameron, . . . 421,422
The Clan Chattan, . . . .422
The Clan Neill of Barra, .... 423 The Clan Neill of Gigha, . . . 423, 424
Cadets of the family of Gigha, . . . 424
The Mackinnons, Macqnarries, and Maceacherns, 424 The Mackays in Kintyre, .... 425 The Mackenzies, ..... 425 The Macdougalls, . . . . 425, 426
The Stewai'ts of Appin, . . . .426
The Campbells, .... 426,427
Conclusion, ...... 427
417, 418 418 418 418
419, 420 419 419 419 419 420
420
-^ t.
PKEFACE TO FIRST EDITION.
It may naturally be asked by those who read only the title-page of the present work, why it should have been limited to the history of a portion merely of what are commonly called the Highlands of Scotland, as well as to a particular period of that history. I shall endea- vour to explain in a few words the reasons which have induced me thus to limit my subject.
Various causes contributed, in former times, to divide the Scottish Highlands into two sections, between which there existed a well-defined line of demarcation. The West Highlands and Isles formed one of these sections: the Central Highlands, and all those districts in which the waters flowed to the East, formed the other. The great mountain-ridge, called, of old, Drumalban, from which the waters flowed to either coast of Scotland, was the least of the^c causes of distinction. The numerical superiority of the Dalriads on the west, and of the PicU on the east side of Drumalban, and the frequent wars between these nations; the conquest, and occupation for nearly four hundred years, of the Hebrides, by the warlike Scandinavians; and, lastly, the union of
11 PREFACE.
the Isles and a great part of the adjacent coast, during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, under the sway of one powerful family, while the eastern clans had no similar community of interest, and owned no similar controlling power: — these were the chief causes of the distinction which, in later times, was found to exist between the Western and Eastern Highlanders. The history of the latter cannot properly be blended with that of the former ; and, if introduced into the same work, would only serve to distract the attention of the reader. A perusal of the following pages will show that, during a great portion of the period I have endeavoured to illustrate, the Western Clans had a common object which frequently united them in hostility to the government. In this way, the measures employed at first for their coercion, and afterwards for their advancement in civili- sation, came naturally to be separate from those directed to the subjugation (if I may use the phrase) and im- provement of the Eastern tribes. In the public records of Scotland, with scarcely an exception, the distinction I have pointed out is acknowledged either directly or indirectly. So much for the reasons which induced me to select, for the subject of the present work, the history of the West Highlands and Isles.
Having chosen this subject, I very soon perceived that the history of this portion of the Scottish High- lands might advantageously be divided into three por- tions. The first portion might embrace its early history, and the rise and fall of the great Lordship of the Isles ;
PREFACE. lU
the second might trace the immediate effects of the forfeiture of that Lordship, and bring the history down to the time when, by the exertions of James VL, the Western Highlandei-s, from being frequently in rebel- lion against the royal autliority, had begun to be dis- tinguished for their loyalty; and the third might record their exertions in support of the house of Stewart, increasing in energ}' in proportion as the hopes of that unfortunate family became more desperate.
The great power and resomxes of the old Kings of the Isles, and of the more modern Lords of the Isles, have forced the history of the first of the periods above mentioned on the attention of many of our historians. Moreover, the national records, hitherto discovered, referring to this period, are comparatively scanty, and offer few materials for adding to what has already been written on this branch of the subject. Again, the numerous historical works which have appeared on the great civil war, and on all the later struggles of the house of Stewart, have made us tolerably familiar with the conduct and relative position of the leading High- land clans during the third period.
These considerations alone would have influenced me in choosing for my subject the history of the second period — ^that, namely, from a.d. 1493 to a.d. 1625, which was as nearly as possible a perfect blank j but when I discovered that our national records and other sources of authentic information were full of interesting and important matter bearing upon this portion of the
IV PilEFACE.
history of the West Highlands and Isles, I no longer hesitated.
It is now six years since, desirous of procuring infor- mation from every quarter, I announced to the public the task I had imposed upon myself, and stated the leading objects of the present work. I am bound to acknowledge that I have received, in consequence, from many private sources, information which, but for that announcement, I never might have heard of, and of which it will be perceived that I have made considerable use.
To the late Right Honourable Lord Macdonald; to the late Sir John Campbell of Ardnamurchan, Bart.; to the late Sir William Macleod Bannatyne, and the late ' John Norman Macleod of ilacleod; to the Right Hon- ourable Lord Macdonald; Sir John Campbell of Ardna- murchan, Bart. ; Sir Donald Campbell of DunstaiTnage, Bart.; Murdoch Maclaine of Lochbuy, Esq.; Hugh Maclean of Coll, Esq.; Alexander Maclean of Ard- gour, Esq. ; Captain Slacdougall of Macdougall, R.N. ; Dugald Campbell of Craignish, Esq.; Major Oimpbell of Melfort; Alexander Campbell of Ardchattan, Esq.; Lieut.-Colonel Macniel of Barra; Captain Stewart, Ardshiel; and John Stewart of Fasnacloich, Esq.; I am indebted for being permitted to examine their ancient family papers, from which I have derived much curious information.
Cosmo Innes, Esq., gave me access to the valuable charter chest of Kilravock, from an inspection of which I added greatly to the information I had previously col-
PBEFACE.
lected. Captain Alexander Macncill^ younger, of Cefen- say, allowed me to peruse some of tbe ancient ehftrteFs and papers of the Gigha femily, which have lively come into his possession.
The kte Sir William Macleod Bannatyne; Sir G-corge S. Mackenzie of Coul, Bart. ; Colonel Sir Evan J. M. Macgregor of Macgregor, Bart.; George Macpherson Grant, Esq., of Ballindalloch and Invereshie; Jehu Gregorson of Ardtornish, Esq.; Colin Campbell, Esq.,. Jura; Lauchlan Mackinnon of Letterfeam, Esq. ; the Eev. Dr. Norman Macleod, Glasgow; the Rev. Angus Maclaine, Ardnamurchan; the Eev. Alexander Mac- kenzie Downie; Charles Cameron, Esq., barrister-at-law; Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, Clunes; Captain DonaH Ca- meron, Stone; CoUn Macrae, Esq., Nairn Grove; John Macdonnel, Esq., Keppoch; Angus Macdonnell, Esq., Inch; Donald Macrae, Esq., Aughtertyre, IQntaiD; Dr. Mackinnon, Kyle, Sky; Dr. Maclean, Isle of Rum; Di::. Maceachern, Arasaig; Mr. Lauchlan Maclean, Glasgow; and Mr. Hugh Macdonald, Dervaig, Mull — have assisted me either by submitting to my inspection copies of various fnmily histories, which have been of much service, by pointing out various useful sources of information, or by communicating authentic traditions; and I have everywhere found a disposition to forward ns mroch as possible the inquiries in which I have been engaged;
The use I have made of the pubKc records wiH readily 1)6 perceived; and, in this department, my researches have been facilitated by the kindness of the leanred
VI PREFACE.
Deputy Clerk Register, Mr. Thomas Thomson, and of Mr. Alexander Macdonald, who have pointed out to me many curious original documents.
To the Curators of the Advocates' Library, I, in common with many others engaged in historical pur- suits, feel much indebted for the ready access aflforded to the valuable MS. collections of the Faculty of Ad- vocates.
Frequent communications with my friends, Mr. Alex- ander Sinclair, Mr. Cosmo Innes, and Mr. William F. Skene, have assisted me to clear up several points hitherto doubtful; and Mr. Robert Pitcairn, editor of that curious work, the Criminal Trials, has enabled me to add considerably to my collections. I am likewise under great obligations to Mr. David Laing, the active secretary of the Bannatyne Club.
I did not neglect to examine the Scottish MSS. in the British Museum, in which I received much assist- ance from Mr. Joseph Stevenson. Mr. Tytler commu- nicated to me some valuable documents (since publish- ed) connected with the history of the Isles, from the State Paper Office, London. Lastly, such information as I required from the Irish records nnd historical MSS. was communicated to me most readily by Mr. John D' Alton, barrister-at-law, Dublin, from his own valuable historical and genealogical collections.
In order the better to arrange the information thus collected, and to make myself acquainted with such traditions as were not alluded to in the family histories,
PREFACE. vil
or, if alluded to, were without dates or otherwise defec- tive, I made frequent visits to the West Highlands and Isles; and succeeded in satisfying myself on many doubtful points. In these journeys I conversed with every individual supposed to be well informed that I had the good fortune to meet; and the information thus gained proved of essential service afterwards, when I came to prepare the following pages for press.
Such have been the sources of my information. Of the use I have made of it, it does not become me to speak; but I may at least say, that I have striven to be impartial. The necessity for minute research implied in a work like the present, has a tendency to prevent the author from drawing those general conclusions which are so desirable in all historical works, and which may occur more readily to those who peruse the result of his labours without any previous knowledge of the subject. This defect sccras to be almost inseparable from the pursuits of the antiquary, who, in fact, gene- rally acts as a pioneer to the historian. I shall be satis- fied, therefore, if this work prove of service to a future writer on the History of the Highlands, and assist him in forming those general views which give to history its chief value.
It was my intention to have added a dissertation on the manners, customs, and laws of the Highlanders, in which I had made considerable progress. Want of space, however, has forced me to postpone, but by no means to abandon my design. When I resume it, I
VUl PREFACE.
hope to be able to bring forward from my collections^ which are increasing every day, many new illustrations of these subjects.
The Introduction of the present Work embraces what I have called the first historical period of the West Highlands and Isles. Such an Introduction seemed indispensable; and, while it is necessarily brief, I have [j
taken the opportunity of correcting some of the more glaring errors of former writers.
Edinburgh, 10 Ainslie Place, AprU, 1836.
• ^
TNTEODUCTION.
The object of the present work is to trace the history of the territories once owned by the great Lords of the Isles, from the time of the downfall of that princely race, in the reign of James lY. of Scotland, nntil the acces- sion of Charles I. to the throne of Great Britain. But, for the better understanding of the subject, it appears absolutely necessary to give a brief sketch, fird^ of the early history of these territories; and, secondly yO{ the rise, progress, and fall of the potent family of the Isles.
To enter into any speculation regarding the early inhabitants of the country, would, in a work of this na- ture, be superfluous, and inconsistent with the necessary brevity of an Introduction. The facts bearing on the subject are, unfortunately, few in number. From the Koman authors, who afford the earliest accurate informa- tion regarding the tribes of North Britain, it appears ^ D. ^^% during the two centuries after the inva- ^^y^ sion of Agricola, A.D. 80, Scotland was in- habited by two nations only — the Caledonu, and the McBotae. Of these, the Caledonii alone inhabited the Highlands; and, indeed, all modem Scotland north of the Friths of Forth and Clyde. After the third century,
the names of Caledonii and Mseatae disappear, and we
4
2 PICTS — ^DALRIADS.
find the Romans terming their northern opponents Pidi and Attacotti. Historians seem now to have agreed that the Picts were, in fact, -the Caledonians Tinder a new name ; that they were a Celtic race ; and that, until the sixth century, they continued to be the sole nation north of the Friths — being divided into two great branches — the Dicaledonea inhabiting the more mountainous and more rugged districts, north and west of the Grampian range, and the Vecturiones inhabit- ing the more level districts between the Grampians and the German Ocean. Thus the former corresponded to the Highlanders of the present day, whilst the latter possessed the Lowlands, from the plains of Moray on the north to Fife and Stratheam on the south. In the
beginning of the sixth century, a new people ^^' was addedto the inhabitants of Scotland, north of Forth and Clyde — for, at that period, the Irish Scots, frequently called the Dalriads, effected a settlement in the western districts of jthe Highlands. At this time, the country south of the Friths was occupied by the Strathclyde Britons; but the subsequent conquest of Northumberland and the Lothians, by the Angles, be- fore the close of the sixth century, added that nation to the inhabitants of the south of Scotland. During the sixths seventh, and eighth centuries, the history of Scotland pr^ents nothing but a succession of conflicts between these four nations, which produced but little permanent change in their relative situations. In the
ninth century, however, a revolution took place,
^' ihe nature of which it is almost impossible
to determine, from the unfortunate sil^ofcce dT all the
older sutiiorities^ whilst the &ble6 of the lat^ histo*
riaiffi are quite unworthy of credit. But it is eertain^
SCOTTISH CONQUEST. 3
that the result of this revolutiou was the nominal union of most of the tribes under Kenneth MacAlpin, a King of the Scottish or Dalriadic race, and the conse- quent spread of the name of Scotland over the whole country. However this important event might affect the population of the rich and fertile Lowlands, it seems perfectly clear, that the Dicaledones^ or Picts, who formed the bulk of the Highland population in these early times, were secured from any sweeping change, by the rugged nature of the country they inhabited. In these Dicaledones, therefore, we see the ancestors of the great mass of the modern Highlanders, excepting those of Argyleshire ; among whom, in all probability, the Dalriadic blood predominated. The name of Alhatmhy which, as far back as we can trace, is the proper appellation of the Scottish Highlanders, seems to prove their descent from that tribe which gave to Britain its earliest name of Albiouy and which may, therefore, be considered as the first tribe that set foot in this island.
The earliest inhabitants of the Western Isles or Ebudes (corruptly Hebrides), were probably a portion -of the Albanich, Caledonians, or Picts. In some of the southern islands, particularly Isla, this race must have been displaced or overrun by the Dalriads on their first settlement; so that, at the date of the Scottish Conquest, the Ides, like the adjacent mainland, were divided between the Picts and Scots. The change produced in the original population of the Western Isles, by the influx of the Scots — ^a cognate Celtic race — was, how- ever, trifling, compared with that which followed the first settlements of the Scandinavians in the Mes, towards the end of the ninth century.
4 CONQUEST OF THE ISLES
From the chronicles both' of England and Ireland, it appears that these northern pirates commenced their ravages in the British Isles a hundred years before this time, and many of them were thus well acquainted with the Western Isles prior to their effecting a permanent settlement in them. An important revolution in Norway led to. this settlement. About the year 880, the celebrated Harald Harfager established himself as the first King of all Norway, after bringing into subjection a number of the petty kings of that country. Many of the most violent of Harald s oppo- nents sought to escape his vengeance, by leaving their native land, and establishing themselves in the Scottish Isles, from the numerous harbours of which they after- wards issued in piratical fashion, to infest the coasts of Norway. King Harald was not of a nature to allow such insults to pass unpunished. He pursued the pirates to their insular fastnesses, and not only subdued them, but added the Isles to the crown of Norwa3\ In the following year, the Vikingr of the Isles revolted and renewed their piratical expeditions; but were speedily reduced to obedience by Ketil, a Nor- wegian of rank, despatched by Harald to the Isles for that purpose. Ketil, however, having ingratiated himself with the principal Islanders, soon declared himself King of the Isles, independent of Norway, and held this rank for the rest of his life. According to the Norse Sagas, all the race of Ketil were either dead, or had left the Isles, about the year 900; and, for nearly forty years after this date, the history of the Isles is very obscure.
Aulaf MacSitric, son of the Danish King of North- umberland, and called by the historians, *^ Rex pluri-
15Y THE SCANDINAVIANS. ' 5
marum inmlartm^^ foucht at the ffreat battle of Brunanburg; and, on his death, he seems to have been succeeded by Maccus MacArailt Mac- Sitric, probably his nephew, who was contemporary with, and is said to have been brought under subjection by Edgar, the greatest of the Anglo-Saxon Kings. Gofra MacArailt, King of the Isles, died, according to the Irish annalists, in 989 ; and, in the following
A, ID QQO
year, the Hebrides were conquered by Sigurd,
the second of that name. Earl of Orkney, who placed as
his deputy, or Jarl, over them, an individual named Gilli.
Sigurd seems to have lost his Hebridean conquests after
a time, as we read of a Itagnal MacGofra, King of the
Isles, who died A.D. 1004. On his death,
however, Sigurd had resumed possession of
the Isles, which he held at the time of the celebrated
battle of Clunatarf, in Ireland, in which he
"• ' was killed. Twenty years later, the Hebrides
'*' were conquered by Earl Thorfin, the son of
Sigurd, from which we may infer that, in the interval,
they had been independent. Thorfin possessed the Isles
till his death, after which they seem to have
formed part of the dominions of Diarmed
MacMaelnambo, a potent Irish prince, who died A.D.
1072.
The next King of the Isles that we can trace, is God- red, the son of Sitric (supposed to have beeu one of the Irish Ostmen), who reigned in the Isle of Man. To him succeeded his son, Fingal, who, after a des- perate struggle, was dispossessed of his kingdom by Cir. A. D. another Godred, the son of Harald the '^77. Black. This Godred, surnamed Crovan, or the White Handed, is the undoubted ancestor of that
6 GODRED CROVAN — MAGNUS BAREFOOT.
dynasty of Kings of Man and the Isles which termi- nated by the death of Magnus, the son of Olave, A.D. 1265. Godred Crovan was first known as a leader of the Norwegians under Harald Hardrada^ King of Norway, at the battle of Stainford Bridge, where the latter was defeated and slain by Harald, King of England. Escaping from England, Godred seems to have fled to the Isles, where he gradually formed a party, strong enough to enable him to expel Fingal from the Isle of Man. But his conquests were not confined to the Isles ; he likewise subjugated Dublin (which had for nearly two centuries been the seat of a principality, formed by the Scandinavian Vikingr) and a great part of Leinster. He was, besides, verj^ successful in war against the Scots, whose King, at this time, was Malcolm IIL, commonly called Malcolm Canmor. For a length of time the claims of Norway to the dominion of the Isles had been neglected ; but they were now revived, and triumphantly re-established by King Magnus Bare- foot, who, aib the head of an imposing force, subjugated the Isles, and, expelling Godred Crovan, placed on the throne his own son, Sigurd. Godred died two years afterwards, in the island of Isla, leaving three sons, Lagman, Harald, and Olave. On . the death of Magnus Barefoot, who fell in
A. D lie?
an expedition against Ulster, Sigurd, becom- ing King of Norway, returned to his native dominions, when the Islanders, apparently with Sigurd's consent, took for their King, Lagman, the eldest son of Godred Crovan. This Prince, after a reign of seven years, the most important event of which was an unsuccessful rebellion against him by his brother Harald, abdicated
ULOMAN — OLAYE THE BED. 7
his throne^ and^ assuming the cross, went on a pil- grimage to Jerusalem^ where he died. On this^ the nobility of the Isles applied to Murchard O'Brien^ Eang of Ireland, to send them a Prince of his own blood to act as Eegent during the minority of Olave, the surviving son of Godred Crovan. In compliance with this request, the Irish King sent to the Isles a certain Donald MacTade, who ruled for two years, but made himself so obnoxious by his tyr- anny and oppression, that the insular chie& rose against him with one accord, and forced him to fly
A. D. III*?.
to Ireland, whence he never returned. Olave, son of Godred Crovan, soon afterwards ascended the throne, which he filled for forty years. His reign was peaceful; but he conducted himself so as to preserve his kingdom from aggression. This Olave is, by the Norse writers, surnamed Bitting or Klining, from his diminutive stature ; whilst, in the Highland traditions, he is called Olave the Red. He was the father of Godred the Black, who succeeded him; and one of his daughters, Ragnhildis, was married to Somerled, Prince or Lord of Argyle, from which marriage sprung the dynasty so well known in Scottish history as the Lords of the Isles.
From whatever race, whether Pictish or Scottish, the inhabitants of the Isles in the reign of Kenneth MacAlpin were derived, it is clear that the settlements and wars of the Scandinavians in the Hebrides, from the time of Harald Harfager to that of Olave the Ked, a period of upwards of two centuries, must have produced a very considerable change in the population. Ab in all cases of conquest, this change must have been most perceptible in the higher ranks, owing to the natural
8 MIXTURE OF NOBSE AND
tendency of invaders to secure their new possessions, where practicable, by matrimonial alliances with the natives. That, in the Hebrides, a mixture of the Celtic and Scandinavian blood was thus effected at an early period, seems highly probable, and by no means inconsistent with the ultimate prevalence of the Celtic language in the mixed race, as all history sufficiently demonstrates. These remarks regarding the population of the Isles, apply equally to that of the adjacent main- land districts, which, being so accessible by numerous arms of the sea, could hardly be expected to preserve the blood of their inhabitants unmixed. The extent to which this mixture was carried is a more difficult ques- tion, and one which must be left, in a great measure, to conjecture ; but, on the whole, the Celtic race appears to have predominated. It is of more importance to know which of the Scandinavian tribes it was that infused the greatest portion of northern blood into the population of the Isles. The Irish annalists divide the piratical bands, which, in the ninth and following cen- turies, infested Ireland, into two great tribes, styled by these writers, FiongaU^ or white foreigners, and Duhh- ffail, or black foreigners. These are believed to repre^- sent, the former the Norwegians, the latter the Danes ; and the distinction in the names given to them, is supposed to have arisen from a diversity either in their clothing or in the sails of their vessels. These tribes had generally separate leaders; but they were occa- sionally united under one king; and^ although both bent, first on ravaging the Irish shores, and afterwards on seizing portions of the Irish territories, they fre- quently turned their arms against each other. The Gaelic title of Etffh FhiongalU or King of the Fion-
CELTIC BLOOD IN THE ISLES. 9
gall, SO frequently applied to the Lords of the Isles, seems to prove that Olave the Red, from whom they were descended in the female line, was so styled, and that, consequently, his subjects in the Isles, in so far as they were not Celtic, were Fiongall or Norwegians. It has been remarked by one writer, whose opinion is entitled to weight,^ that the names of places in the exterior Hebrides, or the Long Island, derived from the Scandinavian tongue, resemble the names of places in Orkney, Shetland, and Caithness. On the other Land, the corresponding names in the interior Hebrides are in a different dialect, resembling that of which the traces are to be found in the topography of Sutherland; and appear to have been imposed at a later period than the first-mentioned names. The probability is, however, that the diiference alluded to is not greater than might be expected in the language of two branches of the same race, after a certain interval ; and that the Scan- dinavian population of the Hebrides was, therefore, derived from two successive Norwegian colonies. This view is further confirmed by the fact that the Hebrides, although long subject to Norway, do not appear to have ever formed part of the possessions of the Danes.
Having thus traced, as briefly as possible, the origin of the inhabitants of the Western Highlands and Isles, as we find them early in the twelfth century, it remains, in the second place, to trace the rise, progress, and fall of the great fiimily of de Insulis, or Macdonald, Lords of the Isles.
The origin of Somerled of Argyle, the undoubted founder of this noble race, is involved in considerable
* Chalmers' Caledonia, VoL I., p. 266.
10 SOMERLED OF ARGTI.E.
obscurity. Of his father, Gillebrede, and his grand- father, Qilladomnan, we know little but the names. According to the seannachies or genealogists, both Irish and Highland, Gilladomnan was the sixth in descent from a certain Godfrey MacPergus, who is called, in an Irish Chronicle, Toshach of the Isles, and who lived in the reign of Kenneth MacAlpin. There is a tradition that this Godfrey, or one of his race, was expelled from the Isles by the Danes,^ which, if cor- rect, may apply to the conquest of Harald Harfager, who, in all probability, dispossessed many of the native chiefs. But the Celtic genealogists do not stop short with Godfrey MacFergus. Through a long line of ancestors, they trace the descent of that chief from the celebrated Irish King, Conn Chead Chath^ or Conn of the Hundred Battles. Such is the account of Somer- led's origin, given by those who maintain his Scoto-Irish descent. Others have asserted that he was undoubtedly a Scandinavian by descent in the male line. His name is certainly a Norse one; 2 but then, on .the other hand, the names of his father and grandfather are purely Cel- tic; whilst the intermarriages that must have taken place between the two races in the Isles and adjacent coasts, make it impossible to found any argument on the Chris- tian name alone. Somerled is mentioned more than once in the Norse Sagas, but never in such a way as to enable us to affirm, with certainty, what the opinion of the Scan- dinavian writers was as to his origin. He appears to have
^ MS. History of the Macdonalds, by Hugli ^lacdonald, a Seaimachie of the end of the 17th century.
2 The Norse Somerled, and the Gaelic Somhairle, are both rendered into the English, Samuel
HIS ORIGIN. 11
been known to thera as Sumarlidi HauUdvy^ and the impression produced by the passages in which he is mentioned, is rather against his being considered a Norseman. It is possible, however, as he was certainly descended from a noted individual of the name of God- frey, that his ancestor may have been that Gofra Mac- Arailt, King of the Isles, who died in 989. But, on the whole, the uniformity of the Highland and Irish tradi- tions, which can be traced back at least four hundred years, 2 leads to the conclusion that the account first given of the origin of Somerled is correct.
It is from tradition alone, as it appears in some of the genealogical histories of the Macdonalds, that any par- ticulars of the early life of Somerled can be gathered ; and it is obvious, that information derived from a source so liable to error, must be received with very great cau- tion. We are told that Gillibrede, the father of Somer- led, was expelled from his possessions, and that, with his son, he was forced to conceal himself, for a time, in a cave in the district of Morvern, whence he is known in tradition as Gillibrede na^n Uaimhy or Gillibrede of the Cave. From certain circumstances, obscurely hinted at, it would seem that Gillibrede, after the death of Malcolm Canmor, had, with the other Celtic inhabitants of Scot- land, supported Donald Bane, the brother of Malcolm, in his claim to the Scottish throne, to the exclusion of Ed-
* Haulldr, in its strict sense, implies, that the person who bore the epithet was a cultivator of the soil, and not of noble birth. Bat it was ▼ery commonly applied as a nickname to kings and nobles, so that no inference as to the rank or status of Somerled can be drawn from the use of the word in the present instance.
* Genealogical MS. (in Gaelic) of the 16fch century, printed in Collectanea de Kebus Albanicis, YoL I., p. 60.
i
12 RISE AND MARRIAGE OF SOMERLED.
gar, Malcolm's son. Consequently, on the final triumph of the Anglo-Saxon party, Gillibrede would naturally be exposed to their vengeance in exact proportion to his power, and to the assistance he had given to the other party. Of this chief we hear no more; nor are we informed of the extent of his possessions, or where they lay, but they are believed to have been on the mainland of Argyle. Somerled, when young, was, through an accident, which is minutely detailed by tradition, drawn from his obscurity, and placed at the head of the men of Morvern, collected at the time to resist a band of Norse pirates, who threatened to ravage the district. Qn this occasion ISomerled, by his courage and skiU, defeated these fierce marauders; and, soon after, fol- lowing up this success, recovered his paternal inheritance, and made himself master of so large a portion of Argyle, that he thenceforth assumed the title of Lord or Regulus of Argyle, and became one of the most powerful chiefs in Scotland. There is every reason to believe that, by his talent and bravery, he had now raised himself to a higher rank than his father, or any of his immediate predecessors held. It appears by no means improbable, too, that Somerled, aware of his own power and resources, contemplated the conquest of a portion, at least, of the Isles, to which he may have laid claim through his remote ancestor, Godfrey. On these, or similar grounds, Olave the Red, King of Man and the Isles, was natu- rally desirous to disarm the enmity, and to secure the support of the powerful Lord of Argyle, whose marriage Cir. A.D. ^^^^ Ragnhildis, the daughter of Olave — the 1 140. fl^jj authentic event in the life of Somerled — seems to have answered this purpose. Of this marriage, which is lamented by the author of " The Chronicle of
4 i
TYRANNY OF GODRBD THE BLACK. 13
Man/' as the cause of the ruin of the whole kingdom of the Isles, the issue was three sons — ^Dugall, Reginald, and Angas.i
Olave the Red, after a peaceful reign of forty years, was murdered in the Isle of Man, by his nephews, the sons of Harald, who had been brought up in Dublin, and had made a claim to half the kingdom of the Isles. Godred the Black, who was in Norway at the time of his father's death, returned to the Isles without delay, and being received with joy by the Islanders as their King, apprehended and exe- cuted the murderers. Early in his reign, he was invited by the Ostmen of Dublin to rule over them, and was thus led into wars in Ireland, in which he was success- ful; but, on his return to Man, thinking that no one could resist his power, he conducted himself so tyranni- cally, that he speedily alienated the affections of many of the insukr nobility; — one of the most powerful of these, Thorfin, the son of Ottar, addressed himself to Somerled, and demanded from him his son, Dugall, then a child, the nephew of Godred, whom he proposed to make Eling of the Isles. The ambitious Lord of Argyle readily entered into the views of Thorfin, who, with his partisans, carrying Dugall through all the Isles, except apparently Man itself, forced the inhabitants to acknowledge him as their king, and took hostages from them for their obedience. One of the chief islanders, Paul by name, escaping secretly, fled to the court of Godred, and made him aware of what had just taken place. Roused by the emergency, the king collected
1 I follow here the Orkneyinga Saga, p. 883, which is very explicit, and is a better authority than the Chronicle of Man. The latter adds a fourth son, Olave.
14 WARS BETWEEN SOMEBLED
a lar^e fleet, with which he proceeded against the rebels, who, under the guidance of Somerled, with a fleet of eighty galleys, did not decline the encounter. After a bloody but indecisive action, a treaty * "^ * was entered into, by which Godred ceded to the sons of Somerled what were afterwards called, in Scottish geography, the South Isles, retaining for him- self the North Isles and Man. The point of Ardna- murchan formed the division between the North and South Isles, so that, by this treaty, Bute, Arran, Isla, Jura, Mull, and several smaller islands, as well as the district of Kintyre (which, singularly enough, has always been reckoned among the South Isles) ,^ although nominally ceded to the sons of Somerled, were, in reality, added to the possessions of that warlike chief, who naturally acted as guardian for his children during their minority. From this time, says the chronicler, may be dated the ruin of the Kingdom of the Isles. The allegiance of all the Isles to Norway seems still to have been preserved.
Two years after this treaty, Somerled invaded Man
with a fleet of fifty-three ships, and laid the
whole island waste, after routing Godred in
battle. Whether this invasion was in consequence of
1 The origin of this was a stratagem of Magnus Barefoot. After that prince had invaded and conquered ihe Isles, he made an agreement with Malcolm Canmor, by which the latter was to leave Magnus and his successors in peaceable possession of all the Isles which could be circumnavigated. The King of Norway had himself drawn across the narrow isthmus between fiantyre and Enapdale, in a galley, by which he added the former district to the Isles. This anecdote has been doubted by some, but it appears in Magnus Beifaet's Saga, a contemporary work ; and it is certain that, as late as the commencement of the seventeenth century, Ein^rre was classed by the Scottish government as one of the South Isles.
AND QODBED THE BLICE. 15
any infiringement of the treaty by Godred, or whether it arose from the insatiable ambition of Somerled, is uncertain; but the power of Godred was so much broken, that he was compelled to visit Norway to seek assistance against his rival ; nor did he return to the Isles till after Somerled's death, from which it may be inferred that the latter had succeeded in extending his sway over the whole Isles.
Malcolm IV. was now King of Scotiand. To this prince, Somerled had early made himself ob- noxious, by espousing the cause of his nephews, the sons of Wymund or Malcolm MacHeth, a claimant of the earldom of Murray, whom it suited the Scottish government for the time to detain in prison as an im- postor, but whose claim now seems, on minute inquiry, to have been well founded.^ Owing to the additional power which he acquired from the late events in the Isles, Somerled was enabled, on one occasion, to bring his contest with the Scottish King to a close by a treaty, which was considered so important as to form an epoch from which royal charters were dated.^ From some cause, which our historians do not suflBciently explain, this ambitious lord was, ere long, induced again to declare war against Malcolm, and, assembling a numer- ous army from Argyle, Ireland, and the Isles, he sailed up the Clyde with one hundred and sixty galleys, and landed his forces near Renfrew, threatening, as some of the chroniclers inform us, to make a conquest of the whole of Scotland. Here, according
^ On the first app^rance of Malcolm MacHeth, Somerled gave him hifl sister in marriage, which shows the opinion he entertained of Ihe JQStiee of Malcohn^s claims.
* Sir James Daliymple's CoUections, p. 425.
16 DEATH OF SOMEBLED.
to the usual accounts^ Somerled was slain, with one of his sons,i and his great armament dispersed, with much loss, by a very inferior force of the Scots. But, from the well-known character of this celebrated chief, there seems great reason to believe that tradition is correct, when it states that he was assassinated in his tent by an individual in whom he placed confidence, and that his troops, thus deprived of their leader, returned in haste to the Isles. In their retreat, they, probably, suflfered much from the Scots, who, if not privy to the assassination, must have soon learned the disaster that had befallen the invaders. From the same traditionary source we learn that the King of Scotland sent a boat, with the corpse of Somerled, to Icolmkill, at his own charge; but modern inquiries rather lead to the con- clusion that he was interred at the Church of Sadale, in Kintyre, where Reginald, his son, afterwards founded a monastery. Somerled, according to tradition, was "a well-tempered man, in body shapely, of a fair piercing eye, of middle stature, and of quick discern- ment." 2
Besides the three sons of his marriage with the daughter of Olave the Red, Somerled had other sons, who seemed to have shared with their brothers, according to the then prevalent custom of gavel-kind, the main- land possessions held by the Lord of Argyll; whilst the sons, descended of the House of Man, divided amongst them, in addition, the South Isles, as ceded .by Godred in 1156. The Isle of Man, and any other conquests made by Somerled in the Isles, from 1158 to his death
1 The Bon^s name was Oillecolane (Gillecalliim or Malcolm).— Hailes' Annals, ad annum 1164. 9 Hugh Macdonald's MS.
1
I
THE SONS OF SOMERLED. 17
ia 1164, did not remaia with his fitmily, but fell again under the authority of Godred the Blacky their proper ruler, with whose descendants they remained till the final cession of the Isles to Scotland, a century later. In the division of the South Isles, Mull, Coll, Tiree, and Jura, seem to have fallen to the share of Dugall ; Isla and Kintyre to that of Reginald; and Bute (which, from its position, was peculiarly exposed to the aggres- sions of the Scots) to Angus. Arran was, perhaps, divided between the two latter, and may have been the cause of the deadly quarrel which, we know, existed between them ; for, in 1192, the Chronicle of Man mentions a battle between Reginald and Angus, in which the latter obtained the victory. Eighteen years later, we learn, on the same authority, that Angus was killed, with his three sons, by the men of Skye ; after which^ it is probable, that Argyle and the South Isles were exclusively divided between Dugall and Reginald, the latter of whom bestowed Bute and part of Kintyre upon his son Roderick, or Ruari^ who became the founder, of a distinct family, which afterwards became very powerful in the Isles. Both Dugall and Reginald were called IGngs of the Isles at the same time that Reginald, the son of Godred the Black, was styled King of Man and the Isles; and, in the next genera- tion, we find, in a Norse chronicle, mention of three Kings of the Isles, of the race of Somerled, existing at one time.^ It is evident, therefore, that the word king, as used by the Norwegians and their vasssils in the Isles, was not confined, as in Scotland,. to one supreme
^ Anecdotes of Olave the Black, edited by Johnston. This chronicle informs ns thst the Sadureyan ^tii^, of the family of Someried, were yery untrue to King Haco.
5
■
[
IS THEIR DESCENDANTS.
ruler, but that it bad with tbem an additional meaning, corresponding eitber to prince of tbe blood-royal or to magnate. Many seannacbies or genealogists, in later times, being ignorant of, or baving overlooked tbis dis- tinction, bave, by means of the expression King of tbe Isles, been led to represent those whom they style tbe direct heirs or successors of Somerled, through bis son Reginald, and who alone, according to tbem, bore the royal title, as holding a rank very diflferent from that which they actually held.
It would occupy too much space here to enter mi- nutely into tbe history of the immediate descendants of Somerled prior to the great expedition of Haco, King of Norway ; — sufl&ce it to say, that from Eling Dugall sprung tbe great House of ArgyU and Lorn^ patro- nymically Macdugall,^ which, at the time of Haco's expedition, was represented by Dugall's grandson, Ewin, commonly called King Ewin, and sometimes, erroneously. King John, From King Reginald, on the other band, sprang two great families, that of Isla^
_ »
descended from his son Donald, and therefore patro- nymically styled Macdonald; and that of ButCy de- scended from bis son Ruari, already mentioned, and therefore patronymically styled Macruari.* At the date of Haco's expedition, we find that the family of Isla was represented by Angus, tbe son of Donald (tbe Angus Mor of tbe Seannacbies); that of Bute by Ruari himself and his sons, Allan and Dugall. It appears that most, if not all of tbe descendants of So-
1 This family used generally the territorial samame of << de Ergadia,^^ or ** of Argylc."
* Both the Macdonalds and Macrnaries used the territorial somames of ^* de Yla,'* or *< of Isla," and " de Insulisj'' or " of the Isles."
THE SCOTS ACQUIRE BUTE. 19
merled, had, for a century after his death, a divided allegiance, holding part of their lands, those in the Isles, from the King of Norway; their mainland domains being, at the same time, held of the King of Scotland. The latter, whose power was now gradually increasing, could not be expected long to allow the Isles to remain dependent on Norway, without making an effort to conquer thetn. The first footing obtained by the Scots in the Isles was, apparently, soon after the death of Somerled, when the Steward of Scotland seized the Isle of Bute. That Island seems after this to have changed masters several times, and, alone with Kin- tyre, to have been a subject of dispute between the Scots and Norwegians, whilst, in the course of these quarrels^ the family of the Steward strengthened their claims, by marriage, in the following manner. We have seen that Angus MacSomcrled (who is supposed to have been Lord of Bute), and his three sons, were killed in 1210 ; nor does it appear that Angus had any other male issue. James, one of these sons, left a daughter and heiress, Jane, afterwards married to Alexander, the son and heir of Walter, the High Steward of Scotland, who, in her right, claimed the Isle of Bute, and, perhaps, Arran also.^ This claim was naturally resisted by Ruari, the son of Reginald, till the dispute was settled for a time by his expulsion,
1 la the traditions of the Stewarts, this lady's grandfather is called Angas Mac/2an€, which, as I conceive, is an error for Angas M&cSorUe — ^the latter being the way in which MacSomerled (spelt MacSomhairle) is pronounced in Gaelic. That there was, about this time, a matrimonial alliance between the house of Stewart and that of Isla, is probable from a dispensation in 1342, for the marriage of two individuals of these families, as being within the forbidden degrees. Andrew Stewart's " Hist of the Stewarts," p. 483.
20 EXPEDITION OF HACO.
and the seizure of Bute and Arran by the Scots.- Their success here encouraged the latter to further encroachments, and it is well known that Alexander n. died on the coast of Argyleshire, while leading an expedition against the Isles. Although this event suspended for a time the projects of the Scots, they were by no means forgotten, but, on the contrary, were resumed in the course of a few years. Early in the reign of Alexander IIL, Angus, the son of Donald, and Lord of Isla, was closely pursued by that King, because he would not consent to become a vassal of Scotland for the lands ho held of Norway, The complaints of Ruari of Bute, and the other Islanders, to the Norwegian court, of the aggres- sions of the Scots, led to Haco's celebrated expedition, in which, without difficulty, he made himself master of such of the Isles as had been conquered bv
A. D. 1263. *
the Scots, and restored Bute to Ruari, who had long been in Norway, seeking assistance from him^ and had accompanied him on this expedition. These triumphs were, however, of short duration. The Norwegians, not content with re-establishing their au- thority in the Isles, proceeded to ravage the neighbour- ing districts of Scotland, and, while thus occupied, at a late season of the year, suflfered severely from storms, which, joined to a check they received at Largs, in an attempt to make a descent on Ayrshire, caused them to retire to the Orkneys, where Haco soon after died. Alexander JU. immediately took advantage of this circumstance, and resumed his projects against the Isles with such success, that, on the death of Magnus, King of Man (a descendant of God- red the Black), Magnus of Norway, the successor of
CESSION OF THE ISI.ES TO SCOTLAND. 21
HacOy was induced to cede all the Western Isles to Scotknd. One of the articles of the important treaty by which this cession was made, provided that a certain annual sum should be paid by Scotland to Norway, in consideration of the latter yielding up all claim to the Isles. Another declared that such of the subjects of Norway as were inclined to quit the Hebrides, should have full liberty to do so, with all their eflfects, whilst those who preferred remaining, were to become sub- jects of Scotland, To this latter class, the King of Norway, in fulfilment of his part of the treaty, addressed a mandate, enjoining them henceforth to serve and obey the King of Scotland, as their liege lord ; and it was further arranged, that none of the Islanders were to be punished for their former adherence to the Norwegians.^
1 The preceding portion of this introductory sketch has been draiini np with great pains, from the best authorities to which I have had an opportunity of referring; and much has been done to rectify the chronology. Want of space has prevented my quoting these authorities more minutely. 1 may here mention, generally, the authorities I allude to: — Caledonia, Vol. I., and the Roman authors there referred to; the early Scottish Chronicles, printed in the Appendix to Innes^s Critical Essay, and elsewhere ; the early Irish Chronicles, or Annals, printed in the Scriptores Rerum Hiber- nicarum; the Scriptores Rerum Danicarum; the Orkney inga Saga; Magnus Berfaet's Saga; Chronicle of Man; Anecdotes of Olave the Black; Expedition of King Haco in 1263; Rymer's Foedera Angliae; the Saxon Chronicle; Collectanea de Rebus Albanicis; Dr. Macpherson's Dissertations ; Mr. Dillon's Observations on the Norse Accoxmt of Haco's Expedition, in the Archacologia Scotiea, Vol. LL ; Lord Hailes* (Sir David Dalrymple's) Annals ; Duncan Stewart's History of the Stewarts, &c., &c. I must here acknow- ledge the valuable assistance which I have received from my colleague And friend, William F. Skene, Esq., not only in the researches inrhich were rendered neccBsaiy by my undertaking the present
22 THE ISLANDERS BECOME
During tliese transactions, the position of the descend- ants of Somerled was rather singular. Ewin of Lorn, who, in 1249, had refused to join the Scots, attached himself, in 1263, to Alexander III. ; but, at the same time, honourably resigned into the hands of Haco all that he held of the crown of Norway. On the other hand, Angus of Isla, who had previously been made to give hostages to Alexander, was, on the arrival of Haco in the Isles, forced to join the Norwegians in person. Ruari of Bute and his sons were devoted partisans of Haco. The treaty of cession seems to have been acted on, in a liberal manner, by the Scottish king. Ewin of Lorn was, of course, restored to the lands he had for- merly held of Norway, and further rewarded for his services. Angus of Isla, having determined to remain in the Isles, became, according to the treaty, a vassal of Scotland for his lands there, and was allowed to retain, under a single king, all that he had formerly held under two. Lastly, the sons of Ruari, although forced to resign Bute, had lands assigned to them (on their agreeing to remain subjects of Scotland) in that portion of the Isles which had belonged to the King of Man. Hence this family came to be styed Macruaries of the North Isles; and, on the death of Dugall, called Rex nebuduniy one of the brothers,^ Allan,
A. D. 1268. . , •* 1 • "I • J f
the survivor, united, m his person, the posses- sions of both, to which afterwards he appears to have added the Lordship of Garmoran, on the mainland. The Isles of Skye and Lewis were conferred upon the
work, but in all (Lc historical inquiries which I haye had occasion to make for several years past.
^ Langebeck, Scriptores Rerum Danicarum, vol. HI., p. 109.
SUBJECTS OF SCOTLAND. 23
Earl of Ross/ no part of these islands, or of Man, Arran, and Bute, being granted by Alexander III. to the descendants of Somerled. Of these descendants, there were, in 1285, three great noblemen, all holding extensive possessions in the Isles, as well as on the mainland, who attended in that Scottish
A. D. 1284.
Parliament by which the crown was settled on the Maiden of Norway. Their names were, Alexander de Ergadia of Lorn (son of Ewin of Lorn), Angus, the son of Donald, and Allan, the son of Ruari.^ From the nature of the treaty in 1266, it is obvious that these individuals were vassals of the King of Scotland for all their possessions, and not merely for what they held on the mainland, as some have supposed. It is further clear, that, at this time, none of the three bore the title of Lord of the Isles, or could have been properly so considered; and it is equally certain, that the first individual whom we find assuming the style of Lord of the Isles, in its modern signification, possessed all those Isles, and very nearly all those mainland estates, which, in 12&5, were divided among three powerful noblemen of the same blood. But of this hereafter. From the preceding remarks, it will readily be perceived that the boasted independence of the modern Lords of the Isles is without historical foundation. Prior to 1260, the Isles were subject to Norway; at that date, the treaty of cession transferred them to Scotland; and, ever since, they have remained subject to the latter crown, notwithstanding successive rebellions, instigated in every case by the government of England, in order to embarrass the Scots.
^ Robertson's Index to Missing Scottish Charters, p. 124, No. 26. 2 Rymer's Fcedera, U. 266.
24 THE INTERREGNUM; AND THE
In the series of stru^les for Scottish independence, which marked the close of the thirteenth and the open- ing of the fourteenth centuries, the Lords of Lorn, who were closely connected by marriage with the Comyn and Balliol party, naturally array^ themselves iu opposition to the claims of Bruce. On the other hand, the houses of Isla and of the North Isles supported, with all their power, the apparently desperate fortunes of King Robert I.;^ and thus, when he came to be firmly seated on the throne, had earned the ppratitude of that Prince, in the same proportion as the family of Lorn, by the inyeteracy of their hostility, had provoked his resentment. On the forfeiture of Alexander, Lord of Lorn, and his son and heir John, their extensive territories were granted by Brnce to various of his supporters; and, amongst others, to Angus Oig, a.e.. Junior, of Isla, and to Koderick or Buari MacAlan, the bastard brother and leader of the vassals of Christina, the daughter and heiress of Alan MacRuari of the North Isles.^ The Isles of Mull (the possession of which had, for some time past, been disputed betwixt the Lords of Isla and Lorn), Jura, Coll, and Tiree, with the districts of Duror and Glenco, fell, in this way, to the share of Angus Oig. Lorn Proper, or the greatest part of it, was bestowed on Roderick MacAlan, to whom his sister Christina gave, at the same time, a large por- tion of her inheritance in Garmoran and the North Isles.^ The Lordship of Lochaber, forfeited by one of the powerful family of Comyn, seems to have been divided between Angus Oig and Roderick. The former
1 Barbour's Bruce; Fordun a Goodal, H, p. 234. Angus of Isla joined the party of Bruce as early as 1286 ; Tytler's Scotland, I. 65. » Robertson's Index, p. 2, No. 61, 62, 64 ; p. 26, Na 23. ^ Charter in Haddington's MS. Collections, Adv. Library.
REIGN OF ROBERT BRUCE. 25
likewise obtained, in this reign, the lands of Morvem^ and Ardnamurchan, which seem previously to have been in the hands of the crown. But while Bruce thus re- warded his faithful adherents, he was too sensible of the weakness of Scotland on the side of the Isles, not to take precautionary measures against the possible defec- tion of any of the great families on that coast, who might with ease admit an English force into the heart of the kingdom. He procured from Angus Oig, who was now, apparently, the principal crown vassal in Kintyre, the resignation of his lands in that district, which were immediately bestowed upon Robert, the son and heir of Walter the High Steward, and the Princess Marjory Bruce.^ At the same time, the fortifications of the Castle of Tarbert, between Kintyre and Knapdale, the most important position on the coast of Argyleshire, were greatly enlarged and strengthened, and the custody of this commanding post was committed to a royal garrison.^ Following out the same policy in other places, the keeping of the Castle of DunstafFnage, the principal messuage of Lorn, was given by Bruce, not to Roderick MacAlan, the '^ High Chief of Lorn," but to an individual of the name of Campbell, who was placed there as a royal constable.*
Towards the end of Bruce's reign, Roderick MacAlan,
of Lorn and the North Isles, was forfeited of
all his possessions, for engaging in some of
the plots wiiich, at that period, occupied the attention
^ The district now called Morvem was, in former times, it would appear, known as Keualban, or the promontory of iVlban or Scotland. » Robertson's Index, p. 26, No. 32.
* High Treasurer's Accounts, temp. Rob. L
* Robertson's Index, p. 14.
26 JOHN OF ISLA.
and called forth the energies of that celebrated King.^ On this occasion, it is probable that Angus Oig, whose loyalty never wavered, received further additions to his already extensive possessions; and before King Robert's death, the house of Isla was already the most powerful in Argylc and the Isles. Angus Oig and his munificent patron died about the same time ; but John of Isla, the son and heir of the former, was far from exhibiting the same devoted loyalty to the House of Bruce which had characterised his father.
When the star of Edward Balliol was in the ascen- dant, John of the Isles was induced to join that party, owing, in some measure, to his prospect of losing many of the lands granted to his father by Robert Bruce, even if he should remain neuter in the struggle which was going on. To secure so important an adherent, Balliol, besides granting to him nearly the whole of the territories which Angus Oig had possessed at his death, gave, in addition, the lands of Kintyre and Knapdalc, and the Isles of Skye and Lewis, which the expected forfeiture of the High Steward and his rela- tions, and of the Earl of Ross, was to place at the disposal of the pseudo-King.^ On the return of David II. from France, after the final discomfiture * of Balliol and his supporters, John of the Isles was naturally exposed to the hostility of the Stew- ard and the other nobles of the Scottish party, by whose advice he seems to have been forfeited, when many of his lands' were granted to one of his relations, Angus Mac- Ian, progenitor of the house of Ardnamurchan.' This
1 Robertson's Index, p. 28.
» Rymer's Foedera, IV., 711.
' Ch. in Haddington's Collections, Adv. Library.
FIKST LORD OF THE LSLES. 27
grant did not, however, take effect ; and such was the resistance offered by John and his kinsman, Reginald or Ranald, son of Roderick MacAlan (who had been restored, in all probability, by Balliol, to the lands for- feited by his father), and so anxious was David at the time to bring the whole force of his kingdom together in his intended wars with England, that he at length pardoned both these powerful chiefs, and confirmed to them the following possessions : — To John, he gave the Isles of Isla, Gigha, Jura, Scarba, Colonsay, Mull, Coll, Tiree, and Lewis, and the districts of Morvern, Lochaber, Duror, and Glenco ; to Ranald, the Isles of Uist, Barra, Egg, and Rum, and the Lord- ship of Garmoran, being the original possessions of his family in the north.^ By this arrangement, Kintyre, Knapdale, and Skye, reverted to their former owners, and Lorn remained in the hands of the Crown, whilst it is probable that Ardnamurchan was given as a compen- sation to Angus Maclan.
Soon after this time, Ranald MacRuari
A. D 1^4.6
was killed at Perth, in a quarrel between him and the Earl of Ross, from whom he held the lands of Kintail. As he left no issue, his sister, Amie, the wife of John of Isla, becamte, in terms of the above-men- tioned grant from David II., his heir; and her husband, uniting her possessions to his own, assumed henceforth the style of Dominua Inmlaruniy or Lord of the Isles.^
^ Robertson's Index, p. 100. The Lordship of Garmoran (also called Garbhchrioch) comprehends the districts of Mojdert, Arasaig, Morar, and Knoydert
' The first recorded instance of this style being used by John of Isla is in an indenture with the Lord of Lorn, 1354. — ^Appendix to ^^Hailes' Annals of Scotland,*' 2nd edition. This indenture, a very remarkable deed, does not appear either in the first or third edition of these annals.
\
28 JOHN, LORD OF THE ISLESL
Thus was formed the modern Lordship of the Isles^ comprehending the territories of the Macdonalds of Isla, and the Macruaries of the North Isles, and a great part of those of the Macdugalls of Lorn; and although the representative of the latter family was nominally restored to the estates of his ancestors on the occasion of his marriage with a niece of the King,^ yet he was obliged to leave the Lor(J of the Isles in possession of such portion of the Lorn estates as had beea granted to the latter by David in 1344. The daughter and heiress of John de Ergadia, or Macdugall, the restored Lord of Lorn, carried Lorn Proper to her husband, Robert Stewart, founder of the Rosyth family, by whom the Lordship was sold to his brother, John Stewart of Inner- meath, ancestor of the Stewarts, Lords of Lorn.^
After the reconciliation of David 11. and John of Isla in IS34, we can trace various attempts, on the part of the English government, to withdraw the latter from his allegiance, all of which seem to have failed.^ In the later years of David's reign, the Lord of the Isles was again in rebellion; nor was he reduced to obedience without much diflSculty. The records of the period, however, show that his turbulence at this time was not the result of English intrigue, but connected with a general resistance, on the part of the Highlanders, to some of the fiscal measures of the Scottish government.* The second reconciliation of the Lord of the Isles with David II. took place in 1369, a year before the death of that King; and, from this time till his death, in the reign of Robert II., he conducted himself as a loyal and obedient
^ Bobertson's Imdex, p. 30.
' Inventory of ArgyJe Writs, title Lorn.
9 Rymer's Foedera, V., 530, 849. Rotoli Scotia, L, 677.
* Ancient Book of Record, quoted by Mr. Tytler, VoL IL, p. 169.
HIS MABRUGES. 29
subject. Having thus given a brief sketch of the public history of John, first Lord of the Isles, under the reigns of David H and Robert II., it now becomes necessary to allude to his private history during the same period. He married, as we have mentioned, Amie Macruari, heiress of that family ; ^ and his sons by this marriage were John, Godfrey, and Ranald. The eldest of these sons was dead before 1369, leaving issue, Angus, who did not long survive. Of the others we shall afterwards have occasion more particularly to speak. Notwith- standing that he had, in right of Amie his wife, succeeded to such extensive possessions, the Lord of the Isles divorced that lady,* and married, secondly, the Lady Margaret, daughter to Robert, High Steward of Scot- land. Of this marriage there were likewise three sons — viz., Donald, John, and Alexander. We cannot fix precisely the date of this second marriage ; but it must have taken place in the reign of David II., as Donald, the eldest son, was named as a hostage by his fether in 1369. It is probable that the Lord of the Isles, and his father-in-law, the Steward, had come to a secret understanding before the marriage, on which they afterwards acted, when, at the death of David, the Steward ascended the throne by the title of * '^ ^ Robert II. Certain it is, that, after that event, the destination of the Lordship of the Isles was altered, so as to cause it to descend to the grandchildren of the
^ The dispensation for this marriage was dated in 1837 ; Andrew Stewart's History of the Stewarts, p. 446.
* It seems clear, from the nnvarying tradition of the country, that the Lady Amie had given no grounds for this divorce. She dwelt on her own estates till her death ; and is said to have built the Castles of Elantenm in Moydert, and Borve in Benbecula.
30 DONALD, SECOND LORD OF THE ISLES,
King.i Aware that his right to Garmoran and the North Isles was annulled by the divorce of his first wife, the Lord of the Isles, disregarding her claims, and trusting to his influence with the King, his father-in-law, procured a royal charter of the lands in question, in which her name was not even mentioned. Godfrey, the eldest son of the Lord of the Isles, by his first wife, resisted these unjust proceedings — maintaining his mother's prior claims, and his own as her heir; but Ranald, his younger brother, being more pliant, was rewarded by a grant of the North Isles, Garmoran, and many other lands,
A. D 1373. 7 7 J 7
* to hold of John, Lord of the Isles, and his
heirs.^ Such was the state of afiBiirs in the Lordship of
the Isles at the death of the first Lord. He
A T)» I '^80. *
died at his own castle of Ardtomish, in Mor- vern, and was buried in lona, with great splendour, by the ecclesiastics of the Isles, ^ whose attachment he had obtained by liberal grants to the Church, and who evinced their gratitude, by bestowing on him the appel- lation, which tradition has handed down to our days, of " the good John of Isla." *
Donald, the eldest son of the second marriage, became, on his father's death, second Lord of the Isles, and in that capacity was, most undoubtedly, feudal superior and actual chief of his brothers, whether of the full or of the half blood. He married Mary Leslie,
1 This appears from various charters in the public records, soon after the accession of Bobert IL
« Reg. of Great Seal, Rot. HI., No. 18.
^ Macvurich's MS. in Gaelic, commonly, but erroneouslj, called the Red Book of Cknranald.
* See Dean Monro's Genealogies, written in the sixteenth cen- tury.
CLAIMS THE EARLDOM OF ROSS. 31
who afterwards became Countess of Koss, and his con- test with the Regent Duke of Albany, regarding, that Earldom, in the course of which the battle ' ' ' ''^ ' of Harlaw was fought, is too well known to require repetition here. It is only necessary to remark, that the whole array of the Lordship of the Isles 'followed him on that occasion, and that he was not weakened by any opposition, on the part of his elder brothers or their descendants, which certainly might have been looked for. Ranald, the youngest, but most favoured son of the first marriage of the good John, was, as the seannachies tell us, '^ old in the govern- ment of the Isles at his father's death." After that event, he acted as tutor or guardian to his younger brother, Donald, Lord of the Isles, to whom, on his attaining majority, he delivered over the Lordship, in presence of the vassals, *^ contrary to the opinion of the men of the Isles," ^ who, doubtless, considered God- frey as their proper Lord. On the death of Ranald, who did not long survive his. father, his children, then young, were dispossessed by their uncle Godfrey, who assumed the style of Lord of Uist (which, with Gar- moran, he actually possessed), but never questioned the claims of Donald to the Lordship of the Isles.^ If the opinion 6f the Islanders was, at first, really in favour of Godfrey, the liberality of Donald seems soon to have reconcile^ them to the rule of the latter; at least, there is no trace, after this time, of any opposi- tion among them to Donald, or his descendants. As
^ Macvorich'a MS.
* Charter- by Godfridos de Insula, Dominns de Uist, to the monastery of Inchoffray, in 1888; dated, '^apnd castnim nostnim de Elantyrim : *' Chartulary of Inchafiray.
32 HIS BROTHERS.
the claim of " Donald of Harlaw,'' to the Earldom of Ross, iu right of his wife, was, after his death, virtually admitted by King James I, and as Donald himself was actually in possession of that Earldom, and acknow- ledged by the vassals in 1411, he may, without impro- priety, be called the first Earl of Ross of his family. To his brothers of the full blood, he gave ample terri- tories, as his vassals; and each of them became the founder of a powerful family. The eldest, John Mor, or John the Tanister, as he was called, was the proge- nitor of a numerous tribe, called the Clandonald of the South, or the Clan Ian Mhor of Isla and Kintyre, where their hereditary possessions lay. Alexander, or Allaster Carrach, the youngest of the brothers, was styled Lord of Lochaber ; and from him descended the Macdonalds of Keppoch, or, as they are sometimes styled, the Clanranald of Lochaber. After the death of John, Lord of the Isles, we discover various indica- tions that the intrigues of the English court with the Scottish Islanders had been resumed; and it is not altogether improbable, that it was a suspicion of these treasonable practices which caused the Regent, Robert of Albany, to oppose the pretensions of Donald, Lord of the Isles, to the Earldom of Ross.^ But, although English emissaries were, on various occasions, des- patched, not only to the Lord of the Isles himself^ but to his brothers, Godfrey and John — and two of the brothers even appear to have visited the English court — we cannot, at this distance of time, ascertain how £ur these intrigues were carried. Donald, second Lord of
1 Ryxner'a Foedera, VUL, 146, 418, 527. RotuH Scotia, H., 94, 155.
ALEXANDER, EARL OF ROSS. 33
the Isles, had issue, by the heiress of Boss, Alexauder, Cir. A. D. ^^ successor, and Angus, afterwards Bishop 1420. ^ tjj^ Isles; and, dying in Isla, he was interred at lona with the usual ceremonies.^
The history of Alexander, third Lord of the Isles, and second Earl of Ross, of his line, is given, with tolerable accuracy, by the writers of the period ; as his high rank, and his relationship to the sovereign, give him a prominent place in the annals of the reign of James I. The policy of this King was, in every respect, opposed to that of the family of Albany ; and, conse- quently, when the Earldom of Ross, which had been procured by Duke Robert for his son, John, Earl of Buchan, fell to the crown, by the death of that nobleman,^ King James at once restored it to the heiress of line, the mother of the Lord of the Isles. In the following year, Alexander, Lord of the Isles, and Master of the Earldom of Ross,
A. D. 142^.
.'sat upon the jury which condemned to death Murdoch, Duke of Albany, his sons, and the aged Earl of Lennox;' but he did not long retain the favour which, at this time, he seems to have enjoyed. To understand, however, the position in which the Lord of the Isles was placed when we first find him at variance with the King, it is necessary to turn, for a while, to the history of some of the branches of the family of the Isles.
^ Macvurich's MS.
' John Stewart, Earl of Bachan and Ross, was killed at the battle of Vemeuil in France, in 1424.
» Bower's Continuation of Fordun's Scotichronicon ; Edit. Uearae, IV., p. 1271. The historian styles him loosely Earl of Boss, in 1426 ; bat, from a charter granted by him two years later, we find that hia proper style, at this time, was " Magister Comitatus Rossiae.'* — Reg. of Great Seal, XUI., 188.
6
34 SIOL GORBIE AND CLANRANALD.
It has been mentioned that Godfrey, Lord of Uist, on the death of his younger brother, Ranald, asserted successfully his claim to the North Isles and Garmoran, from which he had been unjustly excluded by his father. Both Godfrey and Ranald left male issue, who must naturally have been opposed to each other, like their fathers; but the meagre notices which we possess of the domestic feuds in the Highlands and Isles at this period, do not enable us to trace the progress of these dissensions. We may readily conceive, however, that, where so rich a prize was in dispute, much blood would be shed, and many atrocities committed. The issue of Godfrey, or the Siol Gorrie, as they were called, must, for a time, have acquired a superiority over the Clanranald — so the descendants of Ranald were styled ; at least, under the year 1427, we find mention made, by a contemporary historian, of Alexander MacGorrie of Garmoran, described as a leader of two thousand men.^ But, in addition to the causes of disturbance arising from the rival claims of two families so closely connected with the Lord of the Isles, there were other circumstances which tended to involve that nobleman in feuds which his disposition led him to settle by the sword, rather than by an appeal to the laws. A certain John Macarthur, of the family of Campbell, and a leader of note in the Highlands, seems to have revived about this time a claim which one of his ancestors had acquired to a portion of Gurmoran and the North
I He is generally called hy our lustoriaos, " MacRnari," which sor- name be seems to have assumed from his father's maternal ancestors ; or, which is most probable, **MacRorie,^ as it is frequentlj written, may be an error for '* MacGorrie.*' Hugh Macdonald states distinctlj in his MS. that Gome had a son, AUaster.
PARLIAMENT AT INVERNESS. 35
Isles;! and it is not difficult to conjecture what recep- tion such pretensions would meet with from the Lord of the Isles and his warlike vassals. The event, how- ever, that seems to have had most effect in throwing the Highlands and Isles into confusion, was the murder of John, Lord of Isla and Kintyre, uncle to the Lord of the Isles, by an individual called James Campbell. The latter is said to have received a commission from the King to apprehend John of Isla; but it is added, that he exceeded his powers in putting that chief to death.2 When we consider the lawless state in which even the more accessible parts of Scotland were found by King James, owing to the weakness and incapacity of the Regent Murdoch, Duke of Albany, we can easily conceive how the circumstances above alluded to should have raised disturbances in the Highlands and Isles, which it might require all the energy of the King to suppress.
Determined to restore order, and to enforce the laws, James held a Parliament at Inver- ness, to which the Lord of the Isles, who is described as the principal disturber of the public peace, and the other great Highland chiefs, were summoned. On their arrival at Inverness, they were, to the number of forty, seized by a stratagem of the King, and committed to separate piisons. Some, whose crimes were most noto- rious, were immediately brought to trial, condemned, xind executed; and of this number were Alexander
1 Charter by Christina, daughter of Alan (MacBoari) to Arthur, son of Sir Arthur Campbell, knight, early in the fourteenth century, of the lands of Moydert, Ssc. This charter is quoted for the witoessee* BameB in a MS. History of the Macnaughtons in the Adfocates* library.
< Hugh Macdonald*8 MS.
36 SEVERITY OF JAMES I.
MacGorrie of Garmoran, and John Macarthur. At the same time, James Campbell was hanged for the murder of John of Isla, as if to show the impartiality of the Sovereign. Others, whose guilt was not at first so apparent, were detained in prison for some time, and then executed; but the greater number, and among them the Lord of the Isles, were liberated without more severe punishment than was implied in their imprisonment for various periods, according to the mag- nitude of their offences.^ The Lord of the Isles, by his conduct after his liberation, showed that he felt deeply the indignity he had suffered. The death of his mother^ had now made him Earl of Ross; and soon after his return from prison, he summoned together his vassals, both of Ross and the Isles; wasted
A ^ TAJ2Q
the Crown lands near Inverness, at the head of a force of ten thousand men; and then burned the town of Inverness to the ground. No sooner had information of this inroad reached the King, than, with his characteristic promptitude, he prepared to vindicate his insulted authority. Leading in person some troops
* Bower a Hearne, IV., pp. 1283-4. Chronicle of the Earls of Ross, printed in the Miscellanea Scotica. Among the other chiefs mentioned, are, ^^Mak Afakan^^^ that is, MacMahon or Mathe^son of Lochalsh, leader of one thousand men ; and a certain " Kenneth MoirCy^ whom I conjectare to have been the chief, for the time, of the Mac- kenzies, although omitted in the IViS. histories of that family, probably from his leaving no issue.
« In 1429, the Countess of Hoss, being charged with encouraging her son in his violent proceedings, was arrested and confined at Inch- colm, in the Frith of Forth, where she is said to have remained fourteen months a prisoner. Bower a Ilcame, IV., p. 1226. This is hardly reconcilable with a charter, dated 24th October, 1429, in which her son styles himself Earl instead of Master of Hoss. Sutherland additional case, cap. v., p. 30.
REBELLION AND HUMILIATION OF ROSS. 37
hastily collected, he succeeded, by forced marches, in coming up with the rebels, who were then in Lochaber, at a time when he was least expected. On the appear- ance of the royal banner, the Clanchattan and Clan- chameron, two potent tribes that supported the Earl of Ross, went over to the King, who, following up his advantage, attacked and routed the rebels, pursuing them so hotly that their leader was glad to sue for peace. James, however, sternly refused to enter into a negotiation with his rebellious subject, on any other footing than that of an unconditional surrender ; and returned to his capital, after giving strict orders to his officers, that every effort should be made to apprehend the fugitive Earl. The latter, at length, driven to despair by the activity of his pursuers, adopted the resolution of throwing himself on the mercy of his Sovereign. Upon the eve of a solemn festival, this haughty nobleman presented himself before the King, who, and the Queen and Court, were assembled in the church of Holyrood. He was clothed only in his shirt and drawers ; he held his naked sword by the point in his hand, and, with a countenance and manner in which destitution and misery were strongly exhibited, he fell upon his knees, and, surrendering his sword, implored the royal clemency. His life was spared, but he was committed to close ward in the Castle of Tan- tallon, under the charge of William Earl of Angus.^
While the Earl of Ross was still in prison,
the Royal forces which, under the Earls of Mar
and Caithness, occupied Lochaber, in order to overawe the
clans of the west, were surprised and routed by a body of
the latter, under a leader named Donald Balloch. This
I Bower a Ilearnc, IV., p. 1286. Chronicle of the Earls of Ross.
38 BENEWED REBELLION IN THE ISLES.
chief was the cousin-german of the Earl of Ross ; being the son of that John of Isla who, as formerly men- tioned, was murdered by James Campbell. The news of the battle of Inverlochy, in which the Earl of Caithness, and many of the royal troops, were killed, and the Earl of Mar was severely wounded, was re- ceived with great indignation by the King, who imme- diately prepared to punish the aggressors. Having procured from his Parliament a land tax, to defray the expenses of the expedition, he soon made his appear- ance at the Royal Castle of Dunstaffnage, in Lorn, with the avowed intention of proceeding to the Isles, to inflict exemplary punishment on Donald Balloch and his followers. That chief, after ravaging the lands of the Clanchattan and Clanchameron, had quitted Lochaber, and, on the approach of the King, fled to Ireland.^ The other leaders of the insurgents, dread- ing the determined character of James, came to meet him at Dunstafl^nage, eager to make their submission, and to throw the whole blame of the insurrection upon Donald Balloch, whose power, as they affirmed, they had not dared to resist. By their means, a number of the most noted robbers in the West Highlands and Isles were seized and led to immediate execution ; and the peace of that part of the country secured 'for some time to come, by thfi activity and determination of the King.2 On the return of James to Edinburgh, a head, said to be that of Donald Bal- loch, was sent to him by Hugh Buy O'Neill, an Irish
1 It may be noticed here that Donald Balloch inherited, through luB mother, Margery Bisset, the territory of the Glens in Antrim.
» Tytler*8 Scotland, III. 277-9. Buchanan, b. X., c. 83-36 ; Chronicle^ of the Earls of Ross. Hugh Macdonald's MS.
BOSS PABDONED AND RESTORED. 90
chief of Ukter; and it was generally believed at the Scottish Court that the ringleader of the late insurrec- . lion was now no more. But, as Donald Balloch certainly survived King James many years, it is obvious that the sending of the head to Edinburgh was a stratagem devised by the crafty Islander, in order to check further pursuit. It is only necessary to mention further, in connection with this brief rebellion, that Alexander of Lochaber, uncle of the Earl of Eoss, seems to have been deprived of his lands for assisting Donald Balloch; and that Boss, as superior of the lands, was compelled by the King to bestow them upon the captain of the Clanchattan, Malcolm Macintosh.
As Boss^ after a captivity of about two years in the Castle of Tantallon, received in this year a free pardon in Parliament for all his crimes,^ it is probable that he was not considered in any way answerable for the insurrection of Donald Balloch and its conse- quences. From this time, to the death of James I., he seems to have continued loyal, duly appreciating, as we may suppose, the lenity shown to him by a prince celebrated for the unbending rigour of his government. In the minority of James II., the Earl of Ross held the important office of Justiciar of Scotland, north of the Forth ; * an office which he probably obtained from Archibald, Earl of Douglas and Duke of Touraine, Lieutenant-General of the kingdom. In what manner Boss exercised this office is uncertain ; but it was, perhaps, under colour of it that he wreaked
1 Bower a Heame, IV., p. 1288.
3 Charters in the Ch. Chest of Innes, A.D. 1438; the Ch. Chest of Urquhart of Cromarty, 1489; and the Chartulary of Aberdeen, 1442.
40 ROSS JOINS WITH DOUGLAS AND CRAWFOBD.
his vengeance on the chief of the Clanchameron, who had deserted him in 1427. The hitter, in order to save his life, was now forced to fly to Ireland, where he remained for many years, whilst his forfeited lands were hestowed, by the Earl of Ross, upon John Garve Maclean, founder of the family of Coll.^ The Clan- chattan were more fortunate in making their peace with their offended superior, and most unaccountably suc- ceeded in retaining the lands formerly possessed by Alexander of Lochaber, from. Angus his son. The Earl of Ross being the most powerful nobleman in the north of Scotland, was necessarily in frequent communi- cation with the Earl of Douglas and the other leading nobles of the realm, and thus became involved in their intrigues. His loyalty to the son of James I. yielded to the temptations held out to him; and, in 1445, he . entered into a secret and treasonable league with the Earls of Douglas and Crawford.* The details of this instrument have not been preserved; but there is little doubt that the confederate nobles had agreed, as the first step in their designs, to the dethronement of James n. But, before any overt acts of treason were com- mitted in consequence of this conspiracy, the Earl of Ross died at his castle of Dingwall.^ Bj*- ^^' his countess, Elizabeth, daughter of Alex- ander Seton, Lord of Gordon and Huntly, Alexander, Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles, had issue, John his successor. He had likewise two other legitimate
^ MS. Histories of the families of Lochiel and ColL Hugh Mac- donald's MS.
* 7th March, 1446, Sir James Balfour's Annals, I. 173-
* He was buried at the Chanoniy of Ross, 8th May 1449. Chronicle of the Earls of Ross.
HIS ISSUE. 41
sons (but whether by the same mother or not is uncer- tain), Celestine, Lord of Lochalche, and Hugh, Lord of Sleat; of whom, and their descendants, we shall afterwards have occasion to speak.^
When John, Earl of Ross, succeeded to '^^" the titles and estates of his femily, King James IL was actively employed in weakening the power and usurped authority of William, eighth Earl of Douglas, many of whose adherents, and, particularly, the Livingstons, with which family the young Earl of Ross was connected by marriage,^ were seized and executed, for various treasonable acts committed by
1 1 call these sons legitimate, notwithstanding that Celestine is called "filius nattiralis^^ by Earl Alexander (Ch. in Ch. Chest of Macintosh, 1447), and "frater cai-nalis*^ by Earl John (Reg. of Great Seal, VI., 116, 1463); and that Hugh is likewise called "fratcr carnalis^^ by Earl John (Ch. in Westfield Writs, in the possession of Alex. Danbar, Esq., of Scrabster, 1470). They are, however, both called "frater," without any qualification, by Earl John (Reg^ of Great Seal, VI. 116; XIII. 186). The history of Celestine and Hugh and their descendants, &s given in the present work, sufficiently 8how» that they were considered legitimate, and that, consequently, the words ^' naturalis '^ and ^^camalis," taken by themselves, and -without the adjunct ^^ bastardus^^^ do not necessarily imply bastardy. It is probable that they were used to designate the issue of those handfast or left- handed marriages, which appear to have been so common in the Highlands and Isles. Both naturalis £^nd carnaUs are occasionally applied to individuals known to be legitimate in the strictest sense of the word. A contract of friendship between the Dunbars and Macintoshes, dated in 1492, contains this clause — '^ The said Alexander Dirnbar of Westfield, and Duncan Macintosh, Captain of the Clancliattan, sail obserf and keip kyndes and brethirheid to uthers as camale hrethit-e suld do, for all the dayis of thair lyffis." — (Collectanea de Rebus Albanicis, L 83). In this instance, carnal can bave no meaning but one equivalent to german,
' » Chronicle of the Reign of James 11., commonly called the Auchin- leck Chronicle, pp. 42-44.
42 CONDITION OF DOUGLAS AND HIS PARTT.
them. It was found expedient to deal more mildly with the Earl of Douglas, the head of the party, on account of his great power and vassalage ; but the King, without absolutely depriving this nobleman of the high ofiSce of Lieutenant-General of the kingdom — a measure which might, at this moment, have excited an extreme commotion — silently withdrew from him his countenance and employment; surrounding himself, at the same time, by the ablest and most energetic counsel- lors of the opposite party, whom he promoted to the chief offices in the State. Douglas, sensible that his dominion was on the wane, determined to leave the country for a
season, and repair to Rome, on a visit to the ' Pope. But, although he went abroad with
the apparent intention of remaining several years, he left powerful friends at home, whose motions he directed, and by whose assistance he entertained the hope of once more possessing himself of the supreme power in the State; and there seems the strongest probability that he now secretly renewed that treasonable corre- spondence with the families of Ross and Crawford, which has been already mentioned.^
Douglas' return, however, was hastened
by disturbances at home, arising out of the insolence and tyranny of his brother, Douglas of Bal- vany, to whom he had delegated his authority; which compelled the King to conduct in person an armed expedition into the lands of the delinquent. On this occasion the King made himself master of Lochmaben Castle, and razed to the ground that of Douglas, which had long been the centre of insubordination* The Earl,
1 Tytler's Scotland, IV., pp. 70-86.
r
JOHN, EARL OF ROSS, REBELS. 43
farmed at the news of this expedition, set out forth- with on his return home. In the meantime his friends and confederates were not idle in Scotland; and the Earl of Ross, in particular, broke out into open rebel- lion, and seized the Royal castles of Inverness, TJrqu- hart, and Ruthven in Badenoch/ This last place was immediately demolished; Urquhart was committed to the custody of Sir James Livingston, fiither-in-law to the Earl of Ross, who, on the first news of the rebellion of the latter, had escaped from Court to the Highlands; whilst Inverness Castle was supplied with military stores and strongly garrisoned. The King, it may be supposed, was too much occupied in securing himself against the great power and ambition of the Douglas party in the southern counties, now rendered more confident by the return of their chief from abroad, to be able to take prompt measures against the Earl of Ross; at least, none such are recorded in the chronicles which have come down to us. But there can be no doubt that James contemplated proceeding to the north, to chastise the rebels there; for it was upon the refusal of Douglas to renounce the league offensive and defensive, into which he had entered with the Earls of Ross and Crawford, that the monarch, in a sudden fit of passion, assassinated, with his own hand, that nobleman, whose inordinate ambition was considered the chief cause of all these commotions. William, Earl of Douglas, being thus cut off in the height of his power, was suc-
^ It appears, from a contemporary chronicle, that Ross had some private grieyances to urge him into rebellion. Among other things, he complained that the King, who caused him to marry Sir James Liyingston's daughter, had promised him, with that lady, a grant of lands, which promise had not been kept. Auchinleck Chronicle, p. 44.
44? THE ISLANDERS INVADE AYRSHIRE.
ceeded by James, ninth Earl, his brother, who, after repeated rebellions, was finally encountered and defeated by the Earl of Angus, leader of the King's ' ' '^ ' troops, at Arkinholme in. Annandale. In this battle, Archibald, Earl of Moray, and Hugh, Earl of Ormond, brothers to the Earl of Douglas, were slain; whilst the Earl himself, with his only remaining brother. Sir John Douglas of Balvany, made his escape into the West Highlands. Here he was received by the Earl of Ross, who still remained faithful to his engagements, having, it would appear, hitherto escaped, by reason of the remoteness and inaccessibility of his territories, the ven- geance which had fallen so heavily on his confederates, Douglas q,nd Crawford. Ross immediately collected a fleet of one hundred galleys, with a force of five thousand men on board, and despatched this expedition, under the command of his kinsman, Donald Balloch of Isla, to attack the coast of Ayrshire, with the intention, proba- bly, of encouraging the Douglas party again to draw to- gether, should such a course appear expedient. Owing to the able measures of defence adopted by the King, this enterprise met with little success. Donald com- menced hostilities at Innerkip in Ayrshire ; but being unable to effect any object of importance, he proceeded to ravage the Cumrays and the Isle of Arran. Not above twenty persons, men, women, and children, were slain by the Islanders, although plunder to a consider- able amount — including five or six hundred horses, ten thousand oxen and kine, and more than a thousand sheep and goats — was carried off. The Castle of Bro- dick in Arran was stormed and levelled with the ground; whilst one hundred bolls of meal, one hundred marks,^
^ CatUe intended for winter consumptioD.
THE REBELLION SUPPRESSED. 45
and one hundred marks of silver, were exacted as tribute from the Isle of Bute.^ The expedition was concluded by an attack upon Lauder, Bishop of Argyle or Lismore, a prelate who had made himself obnoxious by affixing his seal to the instrument of forfeiture of the Douglases; and who was now attacked by the fierce Admiral of the Isles, and, after the slaughter of the greater part of his attendants, forced to take refuge in a sanctuary, which seems scarcely to have protected him from the fury of his enemies.2
The Earl of Douglas returned to England after the failure of the expedition under Donald Balloch; and Boss, finding himself alone in*rebellion, became alarmed for the consequences, and, by a submissive message, entreated the forgiveness of the King; offering, as far as it was still left to him, to repair the wrongs he had inflicted. James at first refused to listen to the application; but, after a time, consented to extend to the humbled chief a period of probation, within which, if he should evince the reality of his repent- ance by some notable exploit, he was to be absolved firom all the consequences of his rebellion, and reinstated in the Royal favour^ The Earl of Ross was, in 1457, one of the Wardens of the Marches,* an office of great trust and importance, but obviously intended to weaken his influence in the Highlands and Isles, by forcing him firequently to resideat adistance from theseat of his power;
1 It would seem that the Castle of Rothsaj was also besieged. Acts of Parliament, 11. 109.
« Tytler's Scotland, IV., pp. 86-127 ; Auchinleck Chronicle, pp. 44, 61, 65 ; Acts of Parliament, II. 190. • « lyUer's Scotland, IV., p. 156.
* Bymer's Foedera, XI., p. 397.
46 THIED REBELLION OF ROSS.
and as he was, at the same time, one of the nobles who guaranteed a truce with England,^ it would seem that he had lost no time in effecting a reconciliation with the King. Previous to the siege of Roxburgh, at which James II. was unfortunately killed, the Earl
A. D. 1460.
of Ross joined the Royal army with a body of three thousand of his vassals, well armed, in their pecu- liar fashion. In order to prove his fidelity and loyalty, he offered, in case of an invasion of England, to precede the rest of the army, whilst in the enemy's country, by a thousand paces distance, so as to receive the first shock of the English. Ross was well received, and ordered to remain near the King's person; but, as there was at this time no invasion of England, the courage and devotion of himself and his troops were not put to the test pro- posed.^
Soon after the unfortunate death of James
IL, and the capture of Roxburgh Castle, a Parliament met at Edinburgh, which was attended by, amongst others, the Earl of Ross, and all the Island chiefs.^ Of this Parliament, however, no records now exist. Apparently, Ross perceived that the new govern- ment was not strong enough to command his obedience, and thought this a favourable opportunity to pursue his schemes of personal aggrandisement, and for that pur- pose to renew his confederacy with the banished Doug- lases. This once powerful family now looked chiefly to the English King for their restoration to rank and power; and, therefore, used all their influence to draw the Earl
» Kymer's Foedera, XI., p. 897. 2 Tytler's Scotland, IV., p. 176 ; Buchanan, b. XL s Tjrtler's Scotland, IV., p. 186 ; Auchinleck Cbromcle, p. 69 February 1461, new style.
HIS TREATY WITH EDWARD IV. 47
of Ross into a league with Edward IV.^ On the 19th of October, Ross, by the advice of his principal vassals and kinsmen, assembled in council at his castle of Ardtornish, granted a commission, in the style of an independent prince, to his trusty and well-beloved cousins, Ranald of the Isles, and Duncan, Archdean of the Isles, to confer with the deputies of the English King.^ The Commissioners met at Westminster; and, after a negotiation, concluded a treaty, which embraced some extraordinary conditions. The basis of it was nothing less than the contemplated conquest of Scotland by the vassals of Ross and the auxiliaries to be furnished by Edward, with such assistance as the Earl of Douglas might be able to give. The Earl of Ross, Donald Balloch, and John, the son and heir of Donald, agreed, upon the payment to each of a stipulated sura of money, to become for ever the sworn vassals of England, along with all their retainers, and to assist Edward in his wars in Ireland as well as elsewhere. In the event of the entire sub- jugation of Scotland by the Earls of Ross and Douglas, the whole of the kingdom to the north of the Forth was to be divided equally between the two Earls and Donald Balloch; whilst Douglas was to be restored to the possession of those estates between the Forth and the Borders of England from which he was now excluded ; and, upon such partition and restoration being carried
^ The King of EDgland despatched the banished Earl of Douglas, and his brother, Sir John Douglaa of Balvany, to meet the Earl of Boss or his ambassadors, by a writ dated 22nd Jmie, 1461. Botuli Scoti«, n., p. 402. Tytler's Scotland, IV., p. 192.
3 The English deputies were, Lawrence, Bishop of Durham, the Earl of Worcester, the Prior of St. John's, Lord Wenlock, and Mr. Bobert Stillington, Keeper of the Privy Seal.
48 nOSS ASSUMES KOYAL POWERS,
into efifect, the salaries payable to Ross and his asso- ciates as the wages of their defection, were to cease. The stipulated salaries were, to the Earl, £200 sterling annually in time of war, and one hundred merks in time of peace ; to Donald Balloch, £40, and to John, his son, £20 in time of war, and, in time of peace, half these sums respectively. This remarkable treaty is dated at London, on the 13th of February, 1462.^
While the negotiations which ended in the above treaty were still pending, the Earl of Ross raised the standard of rebellion. He assembled a large force, which was placed under the command of Angus, his bastard son,^ assisted by the experience of the veteran Donald Balloch. Having made themselves masters of the Castle of Inverness, these leaders proceeded to issue proclamations, in the name of the Earl of Ross, to all the inhabitants of the sheriffdoms and burghs of Inver- ness and Nairn, couched in such a manner as to show that Ross, overrating the effects of his contemplated lengue with England, already assumed the powers of a king in the north. The sheriffdom of Inverness at this time comprehended not only the modern county of Inverness, but likewise those of Ross and Caithness f and it was, therefore, over the inhabitants of four of the
1 Tytler'B Scotland, IV., p. 194. Rotuli Scotisc, IL, p. 407- 1^61, old style.
3 This is distinctly mentioned in the Snmmons of Forfeitnre against the Earl of Ross, in 1475. Acts of the Parliament of Scotland, IT., p. 108. It does not appear, although generally asserted by our historians, that Ross took the field on this occasion in person ; and, indeed, the contrary may be inferred from the fact that his son acted as his lieutenant, with the highest powers of that office.— Acta of Pari., ut supra.
> Reg. of Great Seal, XV. No. 63-
HE IS PEOSECUTED FOR TREASON. 49
modem shires of Scoiiand that the Earl of Ross sought to exercise royal authority. His proclamations com- manded them to obey his bastard son^ as his lieutenant, under the pain of death, which the latter was fully authorised to inflict upon the refractory; to pay to him all the taxes usually paid to the Crown * and to refuse obedience to the oflScers of King James.^ How this extraordinary rebellion was suppressed is uncertain. We know that Ross was summoned before Parliament for treason; and that, on his failing to appear, the pro- cess of forfeiture against him was suspended for a time. There is reason, also, to believe, that an army was actually in readiness to march against him; although^ eventually, this course was rendered unnecessary, by submission on the part of Ross, or by some other measures, which, as yet, we have not been able to trace. It is certain, however, that the Earl did not, at this time, receive an unconditional pardon, although allowed to retain undis- turbed possession of all his vast estates for about fifteen years after this period. .
At length the treaty concluded between A. D. 1475. E^^ard IV. and the Earl of Ross, in 1462, came to light, when it was determined at once- by the Scottish Government to proceed against Ross as an avowed traitor and rebel. Accordii^ly, that noble- man was summoned, at his Castle of DingwaU, to appear before the Parliament to be held in Edinburgh in December, in order to answer to various charges of treason.^ Commission was given to Colin, Earl of
1 Auchinleck Chronicle, p. 60.
« Acts of Parliament, 11. 108. All his acts of rebellion, both in 1455 and 1461, were charged against him, as well as the league with Sogland.
50 BOSS RESIGNS THE EAELDOH OF ROSS.
Argyle, to prosecute a decree of forfeiture against him ;^ and^ on the appointed day, sentence was pronounced, Ross having fitiled to appear.^ Nor was this an idle ceremony. As soon as the weather permitted, a for- midable armament, comprehending both a fleet and a land force, was prepared to carry the sentence of Par- liament into effect, and placed under the command of the Earls of Crawford and Athole. The extent of these preparations, and the persuasion of his friends, induced Ross to sue for pardon, through the medium of the Earl of Huntly. The Queen and the States of Parlia- ment were likewise prevailed upon to intercede for the repentdnt noble, who appeared in person at Edinburgh, and, with much humility, and many expressions of con- trition, surrendered himself to the Royal mercy. The King, with wonderful moderation, consented to pardon the offender ; and, in the Parliament held at ' ^^ ' Edinburgh on the 1st of July, John of Isla was restored to his forfeited estates of the Earldom of Ross and Lordship of the Isles. He then came for- ward, and made a voluntary resignation to the Crown of the Earldom of Ross, the lands of Kintyre and Knapdale, and aU the castles, &c., thereto belonging ; and, in return for this concession, was created, by the King, a Baron Banrent and Peer of Parliament, by the title of Lord of the Isles. The Earldom of Ross was now inalienably annexed to the Crown, and a great blow was thus struck at the power and grandeur of a family which had so repeatedly disturbed the tranquil- Uty of Scotland.8
^ Aigyle Writs.
^ Acts of Parliament, uhi supra,
* Chronicle of the Earls of Boss. Ferrerins (the continaator
DISCONTENT OF THE ISLANDERS. 51
By the favour of the King, the succession to the new title and the estates connected with it, was secured in favour of Angus and John, the bastard sons of the Lord of the Isles ; i and Angus, the elder of them, was soon afterwards married to a daughter of the Earl of Argyle. This Angus was early accustomed to rebellion, having acted as lieutenant to his father in the great insurrection of 1461. Neither the favour now shown to him by the King, nor his alliance with the Earl of Argyle, were sufficient to keep the natural violence of his temper within bounds ; and circumstances soon enabled him to establish an ascendancy over his father. The sacrifices made by the latter in 1476, when he gave up the Earldom of Ross and the lands of Kintyre and Knapdale, were very unpopular among the thiefe de- scended of the family of the Isles, who further alleged that he had impaired his estate by improvident grants of land to the Macleans, Macleods, Macneills, and other tribes. Thus^ the vassals of the Lordship of the Isles came to be divided into two factions — one com- prehending the clans last mentioned, who adhered to the old lord — the other consisting of the various branches of the Clandonald, who made common , cause with the turbulent heir of the Lordship.* In these circumstances
of Boece's History), p. 393 ; Acts of Parliament, IT. p. 113 ; Tytler's Scotland, IV., p. 246.
1 Acts of Parliament, II. 190, 15th July, 1476. John, the younger of the two sons, was dead before 16th December, 1478. Reg- of Great Seal, Vin. 120.
2 Hugh Macdonald's MS. The proceedings of the Islanders in refCTence to Kintyre and Knapdale, caused the Lord of the Isles to be summoned again, on a charge of treason, in April, 1478 ; but he seems soon to have satisfied the Government of his innocence, and, at the same time, to have procured the pardon of his son. Acts of
52 ANGUS, THE HEIK OF THE ISLES, REBELS.
Angus not only behaved with great violence to his fkther, but he involved himself in various feuds, parti- cularly withjthe Mackenzies. It appears that Kenneth After Mackenzie of Kintaill had repudiated his first A. D. 148a ^ifg^ Lady Margaret of the Isles, sister to Angus; and the latter, supported no doubt by his kins- men, determined to make his quarrel with Mackenzie a cover for attempting to regain possession of the Earl- dom of Ross, or a portion of it.^ He invaded Ross, accordingly, with a body of his Island vassals; and, encountering the Mackenzies and their supporters at a place called Lagebread, he defeated them with con- siderable loss. The Earl of Athole is said, by tradition, to have commanded the troops opposed to Angus of the Isles on this occasion. After this event Angus became so bold, and the insurrection appeared so for- midable, that the government is said to have employed the Earls of Crawford, Huntly, Argyle, and Athole, to reduce him to obedience. He seems to have been expelled from Ross, and thence to have gone back to the Isles, where the Earls of Argyle and Athole pro- cured an interview between him and his fistther, the old Lord, thinking thereby to bring about a reconciliation. In this they were disappointed; and the breach was, ere long, further widened, by the result of a sea-fight between the contending factions in the Isles, in which the adherents of John were routed with great loss by Angus and his followers. This conflict was fought in a bay in the Isle of Mull, near Tobermory, and is still
Parliament, IL 115, 119. Reg. of Great Seal, Vm. 120. The son, howeyer, did not long continue in obedience.
^ MS. Histories ol the Mackenzies.
DONALD DUBH, SON OF ANGXTS. — ^RAID OF ATHOLE. 5S
known in tradition as the battle of the Bloody Bay.^ Some time after this event, the Earl of Athole, who still remained in the west, crossed over privately to Isla, and carried oflf the infant son of Angus, called Donald Dubh, or the Black, whom he delivered into the hands of Argyle. The Islanders always maintained that this boy was the son of the young Lord of the Isles and of his wife, Argyle's daughter f but the legitimacy of the child was afterwards denied by the government, when, as we shall see, the Islanders brought him for- ward as heir to the Lordship. In the meantime, Donald Dubh was considered as a captive of great con- sequence, and was carefully guarded by Argyle in the Castle of Inchconnell in Lochow. The rage of Angus knew no bounds when he discovered by whom his child had been carried oif. He summoned his adherents together, and sailing to the neighbourhood of Inver- lochy, there left his galleys, whilst, with a body of chosen warriors, he made a swift and secret march into the district of Athole, which he ravaged with fire and sword. His appearance was so unlocked for, that the inhabitants were unable to make effectual resistance to the Islesmen. The Earl of Athole alnd his Countess took refuge in the Chapel of St. Bride, to which sanc- tuary many of the country people likewise fled for refuge with their most valuable efiects. The sanctuary, how- ever, was violated by the vindictive Islander, who returned to Lochaber, his followers loaded with plunder, and leading with him, as prisoners, the Earl and Countess
^ Hugh Macdonald's MS; MS. Histories of the Macleods and Macleans ; Martin's Western Isles.
^ Macvnrich's MS., &c., &c.
54 ASSASSINATION OF ANGUS.
of Athole.^ In the voyage from Lochaber to Isla, many of his war galleys were sunk, and much of his sacrilegious plunder lost, in a dreadful storm which he encountered. Such was the effect this circumstance produced upon the superstitious feelings of the turbu- lent heir of the Isles, that he soon liberated his prisoners, without even procuring, in, return, the release of his son, which seems to have been originally his chief object in the expedition J and he, moreover, performed an igno- minious penance in the chapel which he had so latel}'' desecrated.^ His career was now drawing to a close. Happening to be at Inverness soon afterwards, on his Before ^^^7? ^ tradition bears, to attack his old enemy, A. D. 1490. Mackenzie, he was assassinated by an Irish harper.^ Thus fell Angus, the son and heir of John, last Lord of the Isles. With all his violence, which appears to have verged upon insanity, he was a favour- ite with those of his own name, who, perhaps, flattered themselves that he was destined to regain all that had been lost by his father. The chronology of this por- tion of the history of the Isles is so very deficient, and
^ Hugh Macdonald's MS. ; Fcrrerius, p. 383 ; Bishop Lesley's History of Scoaand, edit. 1830, p. 84 ; Tytier, IV., p. 195-G. The " Raid " of Atbole has hitherto been, owing to an error of Ferrerius, dated in 1461, in place of about twenty years later. It has likewise been erroneously ascribed to John, Earl of Ross. Neither the Auchinleck Chronicle (a contemporary MS., embracing the year 1461), nor the summons of treason against the Earl of Ross in 1475, make any allusion to this remarkable occurrence, which must, there- fore, have happened after the latter date. The Ilighland traditions uniformly ascribe it to Angus, and not to his father, in which they are undoubtedly correct
2 Ferrerius, Lesley, and Tytier, nhi supra,
' Hugh Macdonald*8 and Macvorich's MS.
ALEXANDER OF LOCHALSH. 55
the materials for supplying this deficiency are so scanty, that the author has not yet been able to assign a precise date to any of the events above narrated, from the quarrels of Angus with his father to his death at Inverness. The order in which they occurred has been adopted, after careful consideration of all the documents and traditions which bear upon this part of the history ; and it would appear that, whilst all these events happened after the year 1480, the latest of them (the death of Angus) must have occurred several years before 1490.
The aged Lord of the Isles now resumed possession of his estates, from which he had been for some time ex- cluded by the unnatural violence of his eldest son, Angus; and as John, his remaining son, had died without issue, the rank of heir to the Lordship was now held by his nephew, Alexander of Lochalsh, son of his brother, Celestine. Some accounts say, that Lochalsh merely acted as guardian for the child Donald Dubh, who still remained a captive in Inchconnel; but this is hardly reconcilable with known facts. ^ He, apparently with the consent and approbation of his uncle, who seems now to have retired from active life, placed himself at the head of the vassals of the Isles, and, with their assistance, endeavoured, as it is said, to recover pos- session of the Earldom of Koss. As the districts of Lochalsh, Lochcarron, and Lochbroom, which Alexander inherited from his father, and which he now held as
1 I allade particularly to a charter dated in 1492, and granted by- John, Lord of the Isles, and Alexander de Insulisy Lord of Lochalsh^ to John Maclean of Lochbuy, of the office of Bailliary of the south half of the Isle of Tiree; an office which formed no part of the patrimony of the house of Lochalsh. Lochbuy Ch. Chest.
66 THE ISLA17DEBS INVADE BOSS.
a Crown fie^ laj ib the Eaxldom of Koss^ his influence there was greater than that of Angus of the Isles had been* Yet the only Crown vassal of the Earldom who joined him, was Hugh Rose, younger of Ealravock, whose father, at this time, was Keeper, under the Earl of Huntly, of the Castle of Ardmanach in Ross.^ In the year 1491, a large body of Western Highlanders, composed of the Clanranald of Garmoran, the Qan- ranald of Lochaber, and the Clanchameron, under Alexander of Lochalsh, advanced from Lochaber into Badenoch, where they were joined by the Clanchattan. The latter tribe, which possessed lands both under the Lord of the Isles and the Earl of Huntly, was led by Farquhar Macintosh, the son and heir of the captain of the Clanchattan. From Badenoch the confederates marched to Inverness, where Farquhar Macintosh stormed and took the Royal Castle, in which he established a garrison; and where the forces of the Highlanders were probably increased by the arrival of the young Baron of Kilravock and his followers. Proceeding to the north-east, the fertile lands belonging to Sir Alexander Urquhart, the Sheriflf of Cromarty, were plun- dered, and a vast booty carried off by the Islanders and their associates.^ It is probable that, at this time, Loch- alsh had divided his force into two parts, one being sent home with the booty already acquired, whilst with the other he proceeded to Strathconnan, for the purpose of ravaging the lands of the Mackenzies. The latter clan, under their chief, Kenneth, having assembled their forces, surprised and routed the invaders, who had en- camped near the river Connan, at a place called Park,
* Writs in Ch. Chest of Kilravock, ad tempos.
^ Kilravock Writs and Acts of Lords of Council, ad tempos.
MmWaaMiqpa
BATTLE OF BLAIRNEPARK. 57
whence tlie conflict has receiyed the name of Blaime- park. Alexander of Lochalsh was wounded^ and^ as some say, taken prisoner in this battle, and his followers were expelled from Boss. ^ The victors then proceeded to ravage the lands of Ardmanach, and those belonging to William Munro of Foulis — the former, because the young Baron of Kilravock, whose father was governor of that district, had assisted the other party ; the latter, probably because Munro, who joined neither party, was suspected of secretly favouring Lochalsh. So many ex- cesses were committed at this time by the Mackenzies, that the Earl of Huntly, Lieutenant of the North, was compelled (notwithstanding their services in repel- ling the invasion of the Macdonalds) to act against them as rebels and oppressors of the lieges. 2 Mean- while, the origin of these commotions did not escape the investigation of the government; and the result was, the final forfeiture of the Lordship of the Isles, and its annexation to the Crown.
It does not appear, from the documents which we possess, how far the Lord of the Isles was himself impli- cated in the rebellious proceedings of his nephew.^ It may be that his inability to keep the wild tribes of the West Highlands and Isles in proper subjection was his chief crime; and that the object of the government, in proceeding to his forfeiture, was, by breaking up the confederacy of the Islanders, to strengthen indirectly the
* MS. Histories of Mackenzies; Sir Robert Gordon's History of the family of Sutherland, p. 77; Hugh Macdonald's and Mac- vurich's MS.
2 Kilravock Writs and Acts of Lords of Council, ad tempus.
3 In 1481, the King of England appointed Commissioners to treat with " the Earl of Ross and Donald Gorme."— Feeders, XH. 14a
58 FORFEITURE OF THE LORD OF THE ISLES.
Royal authority ia these remote districts. The tenor of all the proceedings of James IV., connected with the final forfeiture of the Lordship of the Isles, leads to this conclusion. These proceedings will be considered at more length in their proper place. At present, we have only to record the fact, that, in the Parliament which sat in the month of Ma^'-, 1493, John, fourth
A. D 140''
^* and last Lord of the Isles, was forfeited and deprived of his title and estates.^ In the month of January following, he appeared in presence of the King, and went through the form of making a voluntary sur- render of his Lordship ; ^ after which he appears to have remained for some time in the Bang's household, in the receipt of a pension.^ Finally, this aged nobleman retired to the Monastery of Paisley, a foundation which owed much to the pious liberality of himself and his ancestors.* Here he died, about the year 1498 ; and was interred, at his own request, in the tomb- of his royal ancestor, Bang Robert 11.^
Having thus traced the history of the great Lords of the Isles from their origin to the final forfeiture of their estates, it will be proper, before concluding this intro- ductory sketch, to notice briefly the vassal tribes that followed the banner of this powerful family. These may be divided into two classes. The first compre- hends those clans which boasted a male descent from
1 The records of this Parliament are very defective, nor is the Act of Forfeiture preserved ; but some charters, granted soon afterwards, show that the forfeiture must have taken place at this time.
' Acts of Lords of Council
> High Treasurer's Accounts, cul annum 1495.
* Chartulary of Paisley, pp. 126-6-7-8, 147, 156.
s Hugh Macdonald's MS.
- ■ ^
CLANS IN THE ISLES. — ^BIACDONALDS OF LOCHALSH. 59
the family itself; the second includes the clans of other surnames. Most of the tribes alluded to became, by the policy of James IV., after the final forfeiture of their ancient line of Lords, independent of any superior but the Crown. It therefore becomes important, with refer- ence to the object of the present work, to trace the extent of the possessions of each clan, as well as its position, both geographically and politically, with respect to the others.
In the first class are included, the house of Lochalsh, the house of Sleat, the Clan Ian Vor of Isla and Kin- tyre, the Clan Ranald of Lochaber, the Siol Gorrie, the Clan Ranald of Qarmoran, the Clan Ian Abrach of Glenco, the Clan Ian of Ardnamurchan, and the Clan Allaster of Kintyre.
I. The House of Lochalsh.
Celestine, or, as he is called in tradition, Gillespick, of the Isles, second son of Alexander, Lord of the Isles and Earl of Ross, was the first of this family. He died in 1473, ^ and was succeeded by his only son, Alexander, whose insurrection, in 1491, led, as we have seen, to the forfeiture of the Lordship of the Isles. Besides the lands of Lochalsh, Lochcarron, and Loch- broom, in Ross, and those of Fernacostrie, Creichmor, and others, in Sutherland, which they held of the Earl of Ross prior to 1476, and of the Crown afterwards, these chiefs were superiors, under the Lord of the Isles, of the lands of Lochiel in Lochaber.^ In a charter of the year 1492, Alexander of Lochalsh styles himself likewise Lord of Lochiel. He was thus closely
* Macvurich^s MS.
« Tieg. of Great Seal, VL 116 ; XIH. 203.
69 MACDONALDS OF SLEAT.
connected with the Clanchameron, to whose captain, Ewin Alanson, heritable keeper of his Castle of Strone in Lochcarron, he gave one of his sisters in marriage. ^ By his mother, Fynvola, daughter of Lauchlan Bronach Maclean of Dowart, the Lord of Lochalsh was also nearly allied to the numerous and warlike Clan Gillean.
n. The House of Sleat.
This family, whose representative. Lord Macdonald, is now the undoubted heir-male of John, last Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles, sprang from Hugh, third son of Alexander, Earl of Ross. In addition to Sleat in Sky, which he occupied, and from which he took his style, Hugh was nominal proprietor, under his brother, Earl John, of lands in Uist, Benbecula, and Garmoran,^ in the possession of which he was opposed by his rela- tions, the Clanranald of Garmoran.^ His first wife was Fynvola, daughter of Alexander Macian of Ardna- murchan, by whom he had John, his heir, who died without issue. By his second wife, a lady of the Clan Gun, he had a son, Donald — called Gallach, from being fostered by his mother's relations in Caithness — who afterwards became the heir of the family,* and from whom the present Lord Macdonald is descended. Hugh of Sleat had several other sons, legitimate and illegitimate, whom we shall have occasion afterwards to notice. He appears to have survived the last forfeiture
1 Hugh Macdonald's MS.
2 Reg. of Great Seal, Xni. 185, 336, 837 ; XIV. 141.
* Hugh Macdonald's MS.
* Ibid. In 1460, Hugh of Sleat, with William Macleod of Harris, and "the yoiuig gentlemen of the Isles," ravaged the Oritneys. Macvurich's and Hugh Macdonald*s MS. I have nowhere else seen
MACDONALDS OF ISUL AND KINTYEE. 61
of liis brother, the Lord of the Isles, and to have pro- cured a confirmation from the Crown of the lands which he previously held under his brother. The descendants of Hugh, who increased very rapidly in the sixteenth century, were known as the Clan Huistein, or children of Hugh, and sometimes as the Clandonald north. Their appellation of Clan- donald arose probably from this circumstance, that six successive chiefs of this clan, after John, the son of Hugh, bore the name of Donald; and the addition northy indicating their residence in Sky and North Uist, was adopted to distinguish them from the Clan Ian Vor of Isla and Kintyre, who were also called Clandonald. Since the extinction of the direct line of the family of the Isles in the middle of the sixteenth century, Macdonald of Sleat has always been styled in Gfaelic, " MacDhonuill na'n Eilean,'' or, " Macdonald of the Isles/'i
m. The Clan Ian Vor.
The founder of this powerful branch of the family of the Isles was John Mor, second son of "the good John of Isla," and of Lady Margaret Stewart, daughter of King Robert II. John Mor received, firom his brother, Donald, Lord of the Isles, large grants of land in Isla and Kintyre ; and he afterwards Cir. A.D. increased his possessions, by his marriage 1400. ^y^ Marjory Bisset, heiress of the district of the Glens in the county of Antrim.^ The footing
any notice of this expedition, -whicli seems to baye been one of considerable importance.
* President Forbes' Memorial, 1745.
3 Hugh Macdonald's and MacTurich's MS..
62 MACDONALDS OF ISLA AND KINTYRE.
which he thus obtained in Ulster was, in later times, improved by his successors. On the death of John, who, as above related, was murdered before 1427, by a certain James Campbell, he was succeeded by his eldest son, Donald, surnamed Bailock This is the chief who defeated the Earls of Mar and Caithness at Inverlochy; and who, having, by a stratagem, escaped the vengeance of King James L, took afterwards so prominent a part in the rebellions of John, Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles. His celebrity as a warrior, and the high rank he held, have led several historians into the error of calling him Donald, Lord of the Isles, a title which he never claimed. Donald Balloch, who had attained, before 1475, the rank of knighthood,^ survived the events of that and the following year. It is prpbable ' ^^ * that, at this time, his lands in Kintyre — being part of those resigned to the Crown — were either retained in the King's hands, or bestowed upon a new vassal, unconnected with the family of the Isles. To Sir Donald succeeded his son, John, who did not long survive, and was succeeded by his son, another John, surnamed Cathanach^ or warlike, ^ who was at the head of the Clan Ian Vor, when the Lordship of the Isles was finally forfeited by James IV. At this time the undisputed possessions of John Cathanach in Scotland, comprehended a great part pf Isla, and some of the neighbouring Isles; and he also maintained a claim of superiority over the remote district of Sunart^ the origin of which has not been traced.^ It is pro-
1 Writ in Charter Chest of Cassilis, dated 8th October, U75. a Hugh Macdonald^s and Macrurich's MS. ' Acts of Lords of Council, A.D. 1496.
MACDONALDS OF LARQIE. 63
bable, too^ that he and his clan possessed^ by force^ and without legal title, a portion of Kintyre. The matri- monial alliances of John Mor and his successors, down to John Cathanach, were all contracted in Ulster ; but, among those Scots who, during the fifteenth century, married daughters of the family, we find Roderick Mac- Alan of Moydert, chief of the Clanranald, Macdougall of Lorn, and Bannatyne of Kaimes. In addition to these notices of the Clan Ian Vor, it may be mentioned that, from Eanald Bane, a younger brother of Donald Ballodh, sprang a race called the Clanranaldbane of Largie in Kintyre — whose chieftain, or ceantiffh, in 1493, was Donald MacRanald Bane. This tribe, together with the Macall^ters, Maceacherns, and Mackays, in Kintyre, and the MacneiUs of Gigha, became followers of the Clan Ian Vor, after the forfei- ture of the Lord of the Isles. The Clan Ian Vor was known also as Clandonald, from its celebrated chief, Donald Balloch ; whilst, to distinguish it from the race of Hugh of Sleat, the appellation Clandonald south was employed. The chiefs were usually styled Lords of Dunyveg (a castle in Isla) and the Glens. ^
IV. The Clankanald op Lochaber.
Alexander de Insulis, commonly called Allaster Car- rach, third son of John, Ldrd of the Isles, and Lady Margaret Stewart, was the first of this family. In an authentic deed of the year 1398, he is styled ^^ Magni- ficus vir et potens, Alexander de Insulis dominus de
^ John Mor himself is so styled in a writ of tho year 1400 ; Rotuli Scotiie, n. 155. He is frequently mentioned as an ally of the English, Aom 1889 to 1396; Fcedera, Vn. 626, 639, 657, 716, 777, 824.
64 MAC3D0NALDS OF KEPPOCH.
Lochaber/'i He was forfeited for joining the insiurreo- tion of the Islanders, under Donald Balloch, in 1431 f and his lands, or a great part of them^ were bestowed upon the Macintoshes, from whom his successors were never able to wrest the feudal possession. They con- tinued, however, to dwell in that part of Lochaber called the* Braes, sometimes as tenants of Macintosh, some- times by force, and without any legal right whatever. From Allaster MacAngus, the grandson of AUaster Carrach, this tribe received the appellation of Sliochd Allaster Vic Angus ;^ and from Ranald, the grandson of the second Allaster, it was afterwards named the Clanranald of LocTiaber* — an appellation which, in the course of the sixteenth century, nearly superseded the former. The chief, at the date of the forfeiture of the Lord of the Isles, was Donald, the elder brother of Allaster MacAngus. The later chiefs of this family were known as the Macranalds of Garragach and Keppoch. Their Gaelic title was "Mac Mhic Eao- nuill," ie.y Mao Vic Eanald, or the son of Ranald's son.^
V. The Siol Gorrie.
Of this tribe, whose ancestor was Godfrey, eldest son of John, Lord of the Isles, and Amie, the heiress of the Macruaries of Garmoran, little remains to be said.
1 Chartulary of Moray, a record in which this chief is frequently mentioned.
=» Hngli Macdonald's MS.
3 Supplication, £win Cameron of Lochiel to the Committee of Estates, 1650.
* Acts of Parliament, m. 467.
» President Forbes' Memorial, 1745.
THE SIOL GORKIE — ^THE CLANRANALD. 65
We have seeu that Godfrey, under the style of Lord of Uist, dates a charter at his Castle of Elantirrim, in 1388;^ and that, in 1427, his eldest son, Alexander or Allaster MacGorrie of Garmoran, was executed at In- verness by James I.^ The latter had a son likewise named Allaster, who died in 1460, and who receives, from the seannachie that records his death, the title of Lord of North Uist.^ From this time, although there were several descendants of Godfrey still in existence, the tribe fell into decay; the lands of Uist and Gar- moran being granted by John, Earl of Ross, to his brother, Hugh of Sleat, who, notwithstanding his charter, was kept out of possession by the Clanranald,
VI. The Clanranald op Garmoran, comprehending the families of Moydert, Morar, Ejioydert, and Glengarry.
The history of Ranald, younger son of John, Lord of the Islei?, and of the heiress of Macruari, has been already noticed, and need not here be repeated.* His descendants came, in time, to form the most numerous tribe of the Clandonald. During the whole of the fifteenth century, they seem to have been engaged in feuds regarding the lands which they occupied — first with the Siol Gorrie, and, after the decay of that tribe, with Hugh of Sleat, from whose successor they suc- ceeded in acquiring a legal title to the disputed lands.^ Allan MacRuari, great-grandson of Ranald, and chief of the Clanranald, was one of the principal supporter^ of Angus, the young Lord of the Isles, at the battle of
1 Cbartulary of Incbaffray. « Supra, p. 36.
» Macvurich's MS. * Supra, p. 29 to 31.
» Reg. of Great Seal, XIIL 336, 387 ; XIV. 337.
8
66 THE CLAN IAN OF GLENCO.
the Bloody Bay;i and he likewise followed Alexander of Lochalsh. in his invasion of Ross and Cromarty, in 1491, receiving a large share of the booty taken upon that occasion.^ The Clanranald, being very prolific, were connected, by marriage, with almost every family of note in the Isles and adjacent Highlands. Contem- porary with Allan MacRuari, were John Macranald of Glengarry, Allan Macranald of Knoydert, and Angus Macranald of Morar; being, next to himself, the leading men in the tribe. The possessions of the Clanranald seem, at this time, to have comprehended nearly the whole of Uist and Benbecula, the Lordship of Garmo- ran, and the north-west part of Lochaber; in addition to which, the district of Sunart was claimed by Allan MacRuari, as a tenant under John Cathanach, of Isla.^ The style usually borne by the chief of this clan was Macranald of Moydert, captain of the Clanranald; and, in Gaelic, ^*Mac Mhic Ailein,'' e>., Mac Vic Allan, or the son of Allan's son. Glengarry had the Gaelic style of " Mac Mhic Alasdair," ix,^ Mac Vic Allaster, or the son of Alexander's son ; and Knoydert bore that of "Mac Ailein Mhic Ailein," z.^., Mac Allan Vic Allan, or, the son of Allan the son of Allan.
VII. The Clan Ian Abrach of Glenoo.
The founder of this tribe was John, sumamed Fraoch^ natural son of Angus Og of Isla, and brother of John, first Lord of the Isles.* His mother is said to have been a daughter of Dougall MacHenry, then the lead-
^ Hugh Macdonald's MS.
* Acts of Lords of Council, A.D. 1494, et sequeu.
» Ibid, A. D. 1495. * Macvurich's MS.
THE CLAN IAN OF ARDNAMURCHAN. 67
ing man in Glenco/ where John Fraoch afterwards settled as a vassal, under his brother, the Lord of the Isles, and where his descendants yet remain. The early history of this family is very obscure. One of them, probably from being fostered in Lochaber, acquired the surname of Abrach, which he transmitted to his posterity, who were known as the Clan Ian Abrach.^ At the date of the last forfeiture of the Lord of the Isles, the head of this sept was an indivi- dual styled, in the records, " John of the Isles, alias Abrochson." ^
VIII. The Clan Ian op Ardnamttrchan.
The ancestor of this ancient branch of the Clan- donald was John, sumamed Sprangaichy or the Bold, younger son of Angus Mor of Isla. Angus the son of this John appears to have acquired Ardnamurchan in the reign of David 11. In 1495 his descendant and representative, John Macian of Ardnamurchan, dis- puted the possession of the adjacent district of Sunart, with Allan Macruari of Moydert, who claimed it as tenant of John Cathanach of Isla. This John Macian likewise possessed some lands in Isla, Jura, and MuU. The chiefs of this family seem always to have held a high rank among the vassals of the Isles, prior to the forfeiture, and to have been connected, by mar- riage, with all the leading families.*
' Hugh Macdonald's MS.
2 Acte of Parliament, A.D. 1587 and 1594.
3 Acts of Lords of CounciL
^ These particulars regarding the Macians of Ardnamurchan have been coUected from the following sources : — Genealogical MS. of the fifteenth century, printed in Collectanea de Bebus Albanicis, Vol. L ; Dean Monro's Genealogies ; Ch. in Haddington's Collections,
, 1
lI
68 THE CLAN ALLASTER.
IX. The Clan Allaster of Kintyre.
The Clan Allaster derived its descent from Alex- ander, or Allaster, son of Donald of Isla, the grandson of Somerled.^ The possessions of this tribe appear to have been, from the first, in Kintyre, and were never very extensive. Its chieftain, in 1493, appears to have been John Dubh Macallaster; for, upwards of twenty years later, we find mention of Angus Macallaster of the Loupe, who is called " John Dubh's son." ^ After thp forfeiture of the Lordship of the Isles, this family attached itself, for about a century, to the more power- ful Clan Ian Vor. Next to that of Loupe, the mbst important branch of the Macallasters, was the family of Tarbert, the head of which was Constable of the Castle of Tarbert on Loch Tyne side.
The second class of the vassals of the Isles includes those clans not descended from the family in the male line, and bearing different surnames. Of these the most important are, the Clan Gillean, or Macleans, the Clan Leod, the Clan Chameron, the Clan Chattan, the Clan .Neill, the Mackinnons, Macquarries, Macfies of Colonsay, Maceacherns of Killelan; and Mackays, of Ugadale.
I. The Clan Gillean. At the date of the forfeiture of the Lordship of the
cir. 1342; Acts of Lords of Council, 1495 ; Reg. of Great Seal, XIII. 123 ;' XIV. 807.
^ Collectanea de Hebos Albanicis, I. 59.
3 Heg. of the Privy Seal, A.D. 1515. A certain Charles Macallaster is mentioned as Stewart of Kintyre, A.D. 1481. Beg. of Great Seal, X. 9.
THE MACLEANS OF DOWART. 69
Isles, this great clan was divided into four branches, independent of each other; by which is meant that each held of the Lord of the Isles, and that no one of them was feudal superior of the others.
The first and most important branch, on account of the extent of its possessions, was that of Do wart. Lauchlan Maclean, sumamed Lubanach, the founder of the house of Dowart, married, in 1366, Margaret, daughter of the first marriage to John, first Lord of the Isles.^ From John, and his successor, Donald, as Lords of the Isles, Lauchlan, and his son. Hector, received extensive possessions, both in the Isles and on the mainland.2 The same Hector was a principal leader, under Donald of the Isles, at Harlaw, and lost his life in that battle. His great-grandson, another Hector, commanded the fleet of the Lord of the Isles at the battle of the Bloody Bay, where he was taken prisoner by the Clandonald.^ He was the leader of his tribe at the time of the forfeiture in 1493, when his possessions appear to have comprehended a great part of the Isles of Mull and Tiree, with detached lands in the Isles of Isla, Jura, Scarba, &c., and in the districts of Morvem, Lochaber, and Knapdale. He was, moreover, heritable keeper of the following castles: — Dowart, in Mull; Carneburg, in the Treshinish Isles, off the north-west coast of Mull ; Dunconnell, in Scarba ; Dunkerd, in the Garveloch Isles, near Scarba ; and Isleborg, the locality of which is uncertain. Maclean of Dowart has generally been considered as the chief of all the Macleans.
The second branch of the Macleans, in point of im- portance, was that of Lochbuy, sprung from Hector
1 Dispells, quoted in A. Stewart's History of the Stewarts, p. 447. 3 Reg. of Great Seal, Xm. 800. s Hugh Macdonald's MS.
70 THE MACLEANS OF LOCHBUT.
Eeganach^ brother of Lauchlan Lubanach. Hector •was fiither of Murchard, whose great-grandson, John Maclean of Lochbuy, was at the head of this sept in 1493. The nominal possessions of the family at that date comprehended lands in Mull, Tiree, Jura, Scarba, and Morvern, with the lands of Lochiel in Lochaber, and those of Duror and Glenco in Lom.^ The lands of Lochiel, originally possessed by the Clanchameron, had been granted, on the forfeiture of the chief of that clan, by Alexander, Earl of Ross, to John Maclean of Coll J and were afterwards, for some reason which does not appear, conferred by John, Earl of Eoss, upon Maclean of Lochbuy.^ All the three families kept up their claims to the lands in question j but the Clan- chameron were successful in retaining the prize ; and the Macleans, although they appealed to the sword, had little benefit from their charters to Lochiel. It is uncertain whether the Lord of Lochbuy was more suc- cessful in enforcing his claims to Duror and Qlenco ; but, with these exceptions, he seems to have possessed the lands above-mentioned, free from interruption, up to the time of which we write. The house of Lochbuy has always maintained that, of the two brothers, Lauch- lan Lubanach and Hector Reganach, the latter was the senior ; but this is a point on which there is no certain evidence.
The third branch of the Macleans was that