History of the Frasers of Lovat

138 HISTORY OF THE FRASERS.
The following version of the affair, based on Sir Robert
Gordon's Earldom of Sutherland, Mackenzie family MSS.,
and the records of the Privy Council, is given in Mac-
kenzie's History of the Mackenzies — John MacGillechallum,
a brother of the Laird of Raasay, annoyed the people of
Torridon, which place at that time belonged to the Baynes
of Tulloch. He alleged that Tulloch, in whose house he
was fostered, had promised him these lands as a gift of
fosterage ; but Tulloch, whether he had made a previous
promise to MacGillechallum or not, left the lands of
Torridon to his own second son, Alexander Mor Mac
Dhonnchaidh Mhic Alastair, alias Bayne. He afterwards
obtained a decree against MacGhillechallum for interfering
with his lands and molesting the people, and on a Candle-
mas market, with a large following of armed men, made
up of most of the Baynes, and a considerable number of
Munros, he came to the market stance, at that time held
at Logie. John MacGillechallum, ignorant of Tulloch
"getting the laws against him," and in no fear of his life
or liberty, came to the market as usual, and while standing
buying some article at a chapman's stall, Alastair Mor and
his followers came up behind him unperceived, and, without
any warning, struck him on the head with a two-edged
sword, instantly killing him. A gentleman of the Clann
Mhurchaidh Riabhaich Mackenzies, Ian Mac Mhurchaidh
Mhic Uilleam, a very active and prompt man, was at the
time standing beside him, and he asked who dared to have
spilt Mackenzie blood in that dastardly manner. He had no
sooner said the words than he was run through the body
by one of the swords of the enemy ; and thus, without an
opportunity of drawing their weapons, fell two of the best
swordsmen in the North of Scotland. The alarm and the
news of their death immediately spread through the market.
"Tulloch Ard," the war cry of the Mackenzies, was instantly
raised ; whereupon the Baynes and the Munros took to
their heels — the Munros eastward to the Ferry of Fowlis,
and the Baynes northward to the hills, both followed by a
band of the infuriated Mackenzies, who slaughtered every