SCOTTISH GAEDENS 



lands of both earls with fine impartiality. Adam 

 made over certain lands* in Strathullie, now known as 

 Helmsdale, to the Earl of Caithness, in consideration 

 for assistance to be given against the Mackays. 

 Caithness took possession of the lands, and straight- 

 way joined forces with the Mackays, who, during 

 Sutherland's absence in Edinburgh, made a destruc- 

 tive raid upon the lands of Dunrobin. The countess 

 was at home, however, and sent out her natural 

 brother, Alexander Sutherland, who overtook the 

 Mackays at Torran-dubh, near Rogart, and inflicted 

 upon them a bloody defeat. "This," wrote Gordon 

 of Straloch, "was the greatest conflict that hitherto 

 hes been foughtin between the inhabitants of these 

 countreyes, or within the diocy of Catteynes, to our 

 knowledge/' 



Alexander might have lived prosperous and 

 popular after this, but his victory over the Mackays 

 turned his head. He made alliance with the heredi- 

 tary enemies of his house, marrying the sister of the 

 very chieftain whom he had overthrown at Torran- 

 dubh, and laid claim to the earldom of Sutherland, 

 alleging that he was no bastard, but had been born 

 in wedlock. He had a considerable following in the 

 Sutherland clan, and, assisted by the Mackays, seized 

 Dunrobin Castle when the Earl was again absent. 

 The earl returned, however, raised his clan, recaptured 

 the castle in which Alexander had left a garrison, and, 

 in a subsequent raid by Alexander, took that gentle- 

 man, struck off his head and stuck it on a pole on 



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