Matheson Collection > Macleods of Dunvegan from the time of Leod to the end of the seventeenth century

IAN (IAN BORB), SIXTH CHIEF 65
" Donald, Lord of the Isles and Earl of Ross, died in
1420. His son Alexander rebelled against James i. in
1428. The MacLeods again joined the Island Lord's army,
commanded by Ian Borb's son Tormod. In 1429 a great
battle was fought in Lochaber, the royal army being
commanded by the King in person. At a critical moment
the Clan Chattan and the Clan Cameron, who had been
in Alexander's army, went over to the King. Alexander
was completely defeated, and afterwards surrendered to
the King, who imprisoned him in Tantallon Castle.
Tormod and many MacLeods lost their lives in this disas-
trous battle.
" The MacLeods were not left long in peace. Donald
Balloch (a cousin of Alexander, who was acting as ruler
of the Isles during the latter's imprisonment) again raised
the standard of revolt against the King in 1431 . Amongst
those who joined him were the MacLeods of Harris under
MacCaskill, Ian Borb's lieutenant, and the MacLeods of
the Lewes, whose Chief commanded all the MacLeods of
both branches. The rebellion began well. Donald
Balloch's army met the royal army under the Earls of
Mar and Caithness at Inverlochy. The superior armour
and discipline of the Lowland knights proved to be
utterly unavailing against the broadswords and battle-
axes of the Islesmen. The royal army was totally de-
feated, the Earl of Caithness, with many other knights,
was slain, and the Earl of Mar made his escape with great
difficulty.
" But this success was short-lived. Donald Balloch
was betrayed to his enemies, his head sent as an accept-
able present to the King, and fresh forces sent by James
easily put down the rebellion. This force captured the
castles of Dunskaith and Camus, and overran Sleat. This
estate was restored to Alexander on his release a little
later, but was not given back by him to the MacLeods,
and it was never again possessed by them, though, as
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