Historical and genealogical account of the Clan Maclean

HISTORICAL NOTICES. 87
a landing-place, was deemed of considerable im-
portance by each party, was claimed by Sir Lach-
lan as being within the limits of his grant. This
was disputed by Sir James, and after many fruit-
less endeavours to settle the matter between
themselves, it was suggested by Sir Lachlan that
the point should be submitted to the arbitration
of mutual friends, and in the event of their deter-
mination proving unsatisfactory that it should
finally be left to the decision of the king. To
this Macdonald seemingly gave a willing consent,
and a day and place were appointed for a future
conference and for naming the arbitrators. The
5th of August 1598 was the day appointed for
this purpose, and Tra-Ghruinnaird, or Gruinnart
shore, in Isla was fixed upon as the place of
meeting.
In the meantime both parties, evidently doubt-
ful of a favourable result, and influenced more-
over by want of mutual confidence, made their
preparations rather with a view to a hostile meet-
ing than a friendly conference. Sir James Mac-
donald mustered together about fifteen hundred
of his clansmen and vassals in Isla and Kintyre,
and Sir Lachlan Maclean with about six hun-
dred followers, among whom were his two sons,
Hector Oig and Lachlan Oig, arrived at Ellain-
Niambh (or Niave island) off Gruinnart shore
on the morning of the day appointed. Here he
left the greater portion of his followers in the
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