History of the Macleods

THE MACLEODS OF LEWIS. 29 1
support of his claims. The King- and Council determined,
if possible, at once to put a stop to the movement, charged
Torquil, under the penalty of high treason, immediately to
deliver up the person of Donald Dubh, who was described
in the charge as then at Macleod's "rule and governance."
Torquil paid no attention to the Royal demands, and he
was formally denounced a rebel, and all his possessions were
forfeited to the Crown. In 1502 directions were given, in
a Commission granted to the Earl of Huntly, Lord Lovat,
and William Munro of Fowlis, to expel all "broken men"
from the Lewis, which really meant, in the disturbed state
of affairs at the time, the expulsion of the whole population
from the island. Macleod answered by at once proclaiming
Donald Dubh as Lord of the Isles. In the meantime he
prevailed upon the Highland Chiefs to join him in the
insurrection, among others being Maclean of Duart, and
Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, who, in 1504, were declared
traitors, and had their estates forfeited.
In 1505 most of the leaders of the insurrection made
submission to an expedition to the Western Isles con-
ducted by the King in person, and the confederacy of
the Island Chiefs was dissolved. Torquil Macleod, however,
with a few others, who had no hope of the Royal pardon
being extended to them, still held out, and in 1506 another
expedition to reduce them was rendered necessary. The
Lord of Lewis was solemnly forfeited in his life and
property by Parliament, and for the purpose of carrying
the sentence into execution the Earl of Huntly, in 1506,
proceeded at the head of a considerable force to the
Lewis. The Castle of Stornoway was besieged and finally
taken, and the whole island was subdued. Whether Torquil
himself was killed or effected his escape it is impossible
to say ; for no further trace of him is found. His lands
of Assynt and Coigeach were granted in life-rent to
Y Mackay of Strathnaver, who took a prominent part
in the expedition sent against him.
On the 29th of April, 1508, James VI. commanded
the Bishop of Caithness, Ranald Alansoun of Clanranald,