Hew Morrison Collection > History of the feuds and conflicts among the clans in the northern parts of Scotland and in the Western Isles

24 CONFLICTS.
his lady, being poifoned, the year 1567, his
fon Alexander (being young) fucceeded unto
him, whofe ward and marriage George Earl
of Catteynefs had right to, and withal gets the
cuftody of Earl Alexander during the time of
his wardj whereat Earl Alexander his moft
tender friends (and chiefly the Murrays of
Sutherland) being grieved, they lay a plot a-
mong themfelves, to convey Earl Alexander
from the Earl of Catteynt fs ; which they ef-
fectuate, and deliver him to the Earl of Hunt-
He, with whom he (laid until his ward was
expired the year 1573, during which time the
Earl of Catteynefs kept pofTelFion of the land ;
whereupon divers troubles did enfue. The
Earl of Catteynefs removed the Murrays of
Sutherland from their pofleffions ; which, ne-
verthelefs, they endeavoured to keep. Hut-
cheon Murray with divers of his friends do
poffefs themfelves with the town of Dornogh
and the adjacent lands, being formerly pofTefTed
by them. The Earl of Catteynefs fent his
fon John, Mafter of Catteynefs, with a num-
ber of men, to remove the Murrays from Dor-
nogh Y Mackay did alfo accompany the Maf-
ter of Catteynefs in his journey. Being come to
Dornogh, they befiege the Murrays there ; who,
for the fpace of fome days ilTued furth, and
Ikirmifhed with the enemy. In end, the Maf-
ter of Catteynefs burnt the town and the ca-
thedral church, which the inhabitants could
not loni';er defend. Yet, after the town was
loft, they kept the caftle, the enemy ftill af-
faulting