FEUDS IN THE ISLES. 159 



Lauchlan Mor Maclean of Duart,* and Angus Macdonald 

 of Dunyveg a well- matched pair in the arts of treachery 

 came into collision over certain disputed districts, and the 

 breach was widened by subsequent events. These were 

 accompanied by acts of perfidy, which showed a savage 

 disregard alike for the laws of hospitality and the dictates 

 of humanity. Donald Gorm Mor of Sleat son and 

 successor of Donald Gormson was drawn into the 

 quarrel, and ranged himself on the side of Macdonald of 

 Dunyveg, whose partisans also included the Macleods of 

 Lewis, the Clan Ranald, the Clan Ian of Ardnamurchan, 

 the Macneills of Gigha, the Macalastairs of Loup, the 

 Macfies of Colonsay, and other families of lesser note. 

 The Macleans were supported by the Macleods of Harris, 

 the Macneills of Barra, the Mackinnons, and the 

 Macquarries. In a letter dated i8th September, 1585, 

 addressed by the King to " traist friend," William Macleod 

 of Harris, the latter is requested to assist his " well belovit 

 Lauchlane McClayne of Doward " ..." a faithfull 

 trew and obedient subject " against Clan Donald ; so it is 

 obvious on which side of the dispute the Royal sympathies 

 lay. Maclean of Duart was married to a daughter of the 

 Earl of Glencairn, whose influence was probably exerted 

 on his behalf. 



The disorders in the Hebrides at length reached a point 

 at which the Government found it imperative to interfere. 

 The revenues of the Crown were affected, and that fact, to 

 a monarch whose financial resources were strained by 

 extravagance, was an unforgivable crime. Accordingly, 

 on i6th April, 1587, Macdonald of Dunyveg and others were 

 charged to deliver up certain hostages for Maclean who 

 were in their possession. Angus Macdonald of Dunyveg, 

 Lauchlan Maclean of Duart, Donald Gorm of Sleat, Allan 

 Macdonald of Moidart and Angus his son, John Macian of 

 Ardnamurchan, Roderick Macneill of Barra, William 

 Macleod of Harris, Roderick Macleod of Lewis, and 



* Maclean was educated on the Continent, where, we are told, he learned 

 "civility and good manners." 



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