Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 3

130 THE CELTIC MAGAZINE.
Moydart estate. John of tlie Isles was unwilling to appear so soon in
these broils ; or, perhaps, favoured the pretensions of the younger brother,
and refused to give any assistance to Allan, who, however, hit upon a
device as bold as it idtimately proved successful He started for Kinellan,
" being ane ile in ane loch," where Alexander resided at the time, and
presented himself personally before his old enemy, who was naturally
much surprised to receive a visit from such an enemy, and from one to
whom he had never been reconciled. Allan coolly related how he had
been oppressed by his own brother and his nearest friends, and how he
had been refused aid from those from whom he had a right to expect it. In
these desperate circumstances he thought it best to apply to his greatest
ememy, who perhaps might in return gain as faithful a friend as he had
previously been his " diligent adversary." Alexander, on hearing the
story, Avas moved by the manner in which Allan had been oppressed by
his own immediate relatives, promised him support, went in person with
a sufficient force to repossess him, and finally accomplished his purpose.
The other party at once represented to the King that Alexander Mac-
kenzie invaded their territory as a " disturber of the peace, and ane
oppressor," whereupon be was cited before His Majesty at Edinburgh,
" but here was occasion given to Allan to requite Alexander's generosity,
for Alexander having raised armies to assist him, without commission, he
found in it a transgression of the law, though just upon the matter ; so to
prevent Alexander's prejudice, he presently went to Holyrood House,
where the King was, and being of a bold temper, did truly relate how his
and Alexander's affairs stood, showing withal that he, as being the occasion
of it, was ready to suffer what law would exact rather than to expose so
generous a friend to any hazard. King James was so taken with their
reciprocal heroisms, that he not only forgave, but allowed Alexander, and
of new confirmed AUan in the lands of Moydart."*
A desperate skirmish, which took place some time previous to this, at
a place called Bealach na Broige, " betwixt the heights of Fearann DonuU.
and Lochbraon " (Dundonald and Lochbroom), was brought about by some
of Kintail's vassals, instigated by Donald Garbh ISl'Iver attempting to
seize the Earl of lioss, but the plot ha\dng been discovered, i\Iaclver was
seized by the Lord of the Isles' followers, and imprisoned in Dingwall.
He was soon released, however, by his undaunted countrymen from Ken-
lochewe, consisting of Macivei-s, ^laclennans, Macaulays, and I\Iacleays,who,
by way of reprisal, pursued and seized the Earl's second son, Alexander,
at Balnagown, and carried him along with them. His father. Earl John,
at once apprised the Lord Lovat, who was then His Majesty's Lieutenant
in the North, of the illegal seizure of his son, and he at once dispatched
northward two hundred men, who, joined by Boss's vassals, the Monroes
of Eowlis, and the DingwaUs of Kildun, pursued and overtook the west-
ern tribes at Bealach na Broige, where they were resting themselves.
A most desperate and bloody conflict ensued, aggravated and exasperated
by a keen and bitter recollection of ancient feuds and animosities. The
Kenlochewe men seem to have been almost extirpated. The race of Ding-
wall were *ctually extinguished, one hundred and forty of their men having
* The Earl of Cromartie's MS. History of the Maokenzies.