Ossian Collection > History of the Highlands and of the Highland clans > Volume 1

FEUD BETWEEN THE CLANDONALD AND THE MACLl'.ANS. 227
royal favour had sucli an influence upon tlio Clan-Chattan, the Clan-
Kenzie, the Giants, Foibeses, Lcshts, and the other hostile clans and
tribes, chat tliey at once submitted themselves to the marquis.
The warlike operations in the north seem, for a time, to have drawn
otf the attention of the clans from their own feuds ; but in the year fit-
teen hundred and ninety-seven, a tumult occurred at Loggiewreid in
Ross, which had almost put that province and the adjoining country into
a flame. The quarrel began between John JNIac-Gille-Calum, brother of
Gille-Calum, laird of Rasay, and Alexander Bane, brother of Duncan
Bane of Tulloch, in Ross. The Monroes took the side of the Banes, aiid
the Mackenzies aided Julm Mac-Gille-Calum. In this tumult John Mac-
Gille-Calum and Joh.i Mac-Murthow-Mac-William, a gentleman of the
Claa-Kenzie, and three persons of that surname, were killed on the one
side, and on the other side were slain John Monroe of Culcraigie, his
brother Houchcon Monroe, and John Monroe Robertson. This occurs
rence renewed the ancient animosity between the Clan-Kenzie and the
Monroes, and both parties began to assemble their friends for the pur-
pose of attacking one another ; but their differences were, in some mea-
sure, happily reconciled by the mediation of mutual friends.
In tlie following year the ambition and avarice of Sir Lauchlan Mac-
lean, of whom notice has been already taken, brought him to an un-
timely end, having been slain in Islay by Sir James Macdonald, his
nephew, eldest son of Angus Macdonald of Kintyre. Sir Lauchlan
had long had an eye upon the possessions of the Clanronakl in Islay; but
having failed in extoiting a conveyance thereof from Angus Macdonald
in the way before alluded to, he endeavoured by his credit at court and
by bribery or other means, to obtain a grant from the crown, in fifteen
hundred and ninety-iive, of these lands. At this period Angus INIac-
douald had become infirm from age, and his son. Sir James Mac-
donald, was too young to make any effectual resibtauce to the newly
acquired claims of his covetous uncle. After obtaining the gift. Sir
Lauchlan collected his people and friends and invaded Islay, for the pur-
pose of taking possession of the lands wliich belonged to the Clandonald.
Sir James Macdonald, on hearing of his uncle's landing, collected his
friends and landed in Islay to dispossess Sir Lauchlan of the property.
To prevent the effusion of blood, some mutual friends of the parties
interposed, and endeavoured to bring about an adjustment of their
differences. They prevailed upon Sir James to agree to resign the half of
the island to his uncle during the life of the latter, provided he would
acknowledge that he held the same for personal service to the Clan-
donald in the same manner as Maclean's progenitors had always held
the Ilhinns of Islay; and he moreover offered to submit the question to
any impartial friends Maclean might choose, under this reasonable condi-
tion, that in case they should not agree, his Majesty should decide. But
Maclean, contrary to the advice of his best friends, would listen to no
proposals short of an absolute surrender of the whole of the island. Sir