EARLS OF ROSS AND LORDS OF THE ISLES. 83 



by Edward Baliol was set aside on the representations of 

 William, Earl of Ross, whose powerful influence may have 

 prevailed with the Court in effecting the restoration of the 

 insular properties of the Earldom. The introduction of 

 the Lesley and Stewart elements into the affairs of that 

 Earldom, subsequently led to a dispute concerning the 

 succession to the title, which culminated at the battle of 

 Harlaw. 



There is little to tell of events in the Outer Hebrides 

 during the period under review. It is true that there are 

 traditions extant, which serve to demonstrate the fact that 

 the Long Island was not exempt from the clan feuds which 

 kept the other islands of the Hebrides in a state of perpetual 

 turmoil. One of the traditions of the Macaulays of Lewis 

 appears to be so well authenticated, that its main features 

 may be accepted as historical facts. During the second half 

 of the fourteenth century, a feud existed between the 

 Macaulays of Uig and the Macleods of the same district, 

 the head of the latter family being Norman, said to have 

 been a brother of the chief (? Torquil II. of Lewis). The 

 latter had given his kinsmen for their support, the whole 

 rental of Uig, and it may be assumed that this was the 

 root cause of the feud. The dispute between the two 

 families at length led to the extermination of the Macaulays, 

 with the exception of a youth, John Roy, and Malcolm, his 

 natural brother. John Roy fled to Maclean of Lochbuie, 

 who undertook his education. When he reached manhood, 

 he returned to Lewis to take his revenge on the Macleods. 

 Appearing suddenly in Uig, he killed Norman Macleod, 

 son of old Norman, before he could " leap the wall of the 

 sanctuary" to which he ran for protection, and then 

 proceeded to despatch two of Norman's brothers. Having 

 thus disposed of the Macleods, he set out for Stornoway 

 with his brother Malcolm. At Cnoc-na-Croich, opposite 

 Stornoway, they met the only remaining son of old 

 Norman Macleod, who fled from the wrathful Macaulays 

 and attempted to reach his uncle's castle at Stornoway 

 by swimming across the bay. His uncle, the chief, saw 



