Matheson Collection > Clan Donald > Volume 1

;10ri THE CLAN DONALD.
of Lewis. The public records furnish us with only
the broad outlines of tliis rebellion, and only vague
hints are given as to the conduct of the leading
spirits in the movement. The only reference to the
part played by Donald Dubh and his followers is
that to which we have already alluded, and beyond
this invasion of the district of Badenoch by the
Islanders, we have not the slightest hint as to the
manner in which they conducted the war against
the Saxon. It is evident, however, from the
repeated attacks made by the Lowland forces, and
the failure of one expedition after another, that the
Islanders gave a good account of themselves in the
fifrht. The unfortunate Donald Dubh, who had
been partly at least the cause of so much turmoil
during these years, and who had made so gallant a
fight for his rights, is again made a prisoner. One
of the charges made against Torquil Macleod in 150G
is his refusal to deliver up Donald Dubh to the
King. He, however, finally surrendered him to
Lachlan Maclean of Dowart, now on his good
behaviour, and he in turn gave up the fugitive to
the King, The King sent Donald a j^risoner to the
Castle of Edinburgh.
Torquil Macleod still held out, fearing, no doubt
with good reason, that, if he submitted, the pardon
which had been extended to the other rebels would
be witliheld from him. After being summoned to
appear before Parliament and refusing to attend, he
was again declared traitor, and liis lands were for-
feited. His lands on the mainland, consisting of the
extensive districts of Coigacli and Assynt, were
given in life-rent to Mackay of Strath naver, for his
good services and assistance in putting down the