History of the Clan MacLean from its first settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the present period

36 History of the Clan MacLean.
in one line. The noise of the battle, as described by an eve-'o'itness, was
awful ; thei'e was the clanging of arms, the knights shouting their war-cry, the
fliglit of the arrows maddening the horses, the banners rising and sinking, the
ground covered with gore, the shreds of pennons, broken armor, and rich
scarfs soiled with blood and clay : and amidst the din was heanl the groans
of the wounded and dying. Step by step the Scots gained ground, and for-
tunately, in a critical moment, the camp-followers, desiring to see the battle,
appeared over the hill, and were taken by the English for Scotch re-inforce-
ments. Immediately dismay spread through the English ranks, which, the
Scots noticing, made a fearful onslaught, which broke the English army into
disjointed squadrons. The flight at once became general, and the slaughter
fearful to behold. In the thickest of the tight the Highland clans plied their
battle-axes with terrible effect. This did not escape the attention of the
watchful Bruce ; and, to show his appreciation for the great service, he assigned
to Angus and his descendants, forever, the honorable position of the right
flank of the royal army.
Malcolm, who died in the reign of King David Bruce, had three sons,
Donald, Niall, and John. Donald and Neil appear in the Exchequer Rolls
of Scotland. In an account rendered by the constable of Tarbart, on July 13,
1325, of his disbursements from April preceding, these entries occur: (1) "And
to the men who came round the ^lull with a ship belonging to Donald McGil-
hon. by four codri of cheese, value 2 shillings, 8 pence. And for watching
the same ship at Westa Tarbart for 15 days, 5 shillings. And of eight men of
John and Neil, sons of Gilhon, staying by the king's command for one month,
28 codri of cheese, value 16 shillings and 4 pence." [Exchequer Rolls, Roll
II., Vol. I., p. 57.] In an account rendered by John of Logan at Scone, 24th
August, 1329, from 17th February, 1327-8, this item occurs : (2) "And to
Neil McGillou by the king's gift one chald." [Ibid., Roll XL, p. 201.] In
account rendered by Sir Robert of Peblis, Chamberlain of Scotland, at Scone,
9th December, 1329, this entry occurs : (3) "And to Neil McGrillon in part of
payment for keeping the castle of Scraburgh,* by letter of precept of the
keeper, and his receipt, 10 pounds." [Ibid., Roll XII., p. 238.]
Donald had two sons — Maoliosa, or Malise, and John — two daughters,
Beatag, or Beatrice, and Aithbric. Neil had two sons, Diarmad and Maol-
Calum, or Malcolm.
IV. John, Fourth chief of MacLean.
John succeeded his father as chief of the clan. He was known as Ian
* Supposed to be Cairnburgh, on one of the Treshnish Isles.