128 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



insurrection was initiated by an attack by Macdonald, 

 assisted by the Macleans, on the lands of the Campbells, 

 which they ravaged with fire and sword. Argyll turned to 

 the Crown for assistance, and a herald was despatched to 

 Islay for the purpose of ordering the rebels to* lay down 

 their arms ; but the King (James V.) did not propose to 

 proceed to extreme measures if they were found amen- 

 able to reason. In the result, it was found impracticable 

 to come to terms, and Argyll, who was in high favour 

 for his services against the House of Douglas, received 

 the Royal sanction to suppress the rebellion by force. 

 This was exactly what Argyll wanted. For some reason, 

 however, the preparations for an expedition were delayed, 

 and it was not until the spring of the following year 

 that they approached completion. The Crown launched 

 its usual summonses against the refractory Islesmen. 

 On 26th April, "Johane McCloyd de Lewis, Donaldo 

 Gromych, McDonald Gallich de Dunskawich (Dunscaich), 

 and Alexro Makcloyd de Dunvegane" were, among others, 

 thus summoned, and two days afterwards, similar sum- 

 monses were issued. The ostensible purpose of these pro- 

 ceedings was apparently harmless enough, for it was 

 desired that the chiefs should assemble " to commune 

 with his Majesty for good rule of the Isles." But the 

 Hebridean lords had a wholesome suspicion of Royal con- 

 ferences, and in the light of past experience, this is not 

 surprising. And these suspicions were not removed by 

 the continued preparations which were on foot for reducing 

 them to obedience. A levy of men was laid on the loyalist 

 of certain districts, and a levy of provisions on various Low- 

 land burghs. These outward signs of the purpose of th< 

 Crown were not without their effect. On 9th May, nine ol 

 the leaders, including Macleod of Lewis, Macleod of Harris, 

 Donald Gruamach, and Macneill of Barra, sent in their sub- 

 mission through Maclean of Duart* Their submission w; 



* Gregory (p. 134) states that nine of the chiefs submitted, but in the note 

 at the foot of the page, giving their names, only eight are mentioned. Tl 

 ninth must have been Duart's ally, Macneill of Barra. 



