THE LORDS OF UIST AND HARRIS. 207 



eating their horses, their dogs, their cats, " and other filthy 

 vermin." This is a striking example of the misery inflicted 

 upon the common people by the vindictive personal quarrels 

 of their chiefs. The slaughter and starvation of innocent, 

 but blindly devoted clansmen, was a heavy price to pay for 

 an unhappy marriage. 



Donald Gorm finally decided to bring matters to a 

 definite issue, and crush the Macleods in a decisive fight. 

 Collecting his forces, he invaded Macleod's lands in Skye, 

 while the chief was away seeking the assistance of the Earl 

 of Argyll against the Macdonalds. Alexander Macleod, 

 brother of Rory Mor, assembled the whole fighting strength 

 of the Siol Tormod to repel the assailants, and with him 

 were some of the Siol Torquil of Lewis, who had been 

 summoned to help their namesakes. The Macleods posted 

 themselves on the shoulder of one of the Coolin Hills and 

 awaited the attack. A fierce and obstinate fight ensued, 

 lasting nearly the whole day. Both sides realised the 

 decisive nature of the contest, and each was resolved to 

 win ; the Macleods were compelled ultimately to acknow- 

 ledge defeat. Two near kinsmen of Rory Mor, John 

 MacTormod and Tormod MacTormod, were killed, with 

 many others of lesser note ; and the chiefs brother, Alex- 

 ander, with thirty-two of the leading men of the clan, was 

 taken prisoner. 



What the final issue of this bloodthirsty feud would 

 have been, if the clans had been left to themselves, can only 

 be conjectured, but the Privy Council now interfered in the 

 quarrel. Assistance by others to either of the contending 

 parties was strictly forbidden ; and the chiefs themselves 

 were ordered to disband their forces and leave Skye 

 temporarily. Macleod was enjoined to give himself up to 

 the Earl of Argyll, and Macdonald to the Earl of Huntly ; 

 and both were charged to remain with these nobles until 

 their dispute had been adjudicated upon by the King and 

 the Council. In the end, a reconciliation was effected,, 

 through the instrumentality of Angus Macdonald of Duny- 

 veg, Maclean of Coll, and others. Donald Gorm handed 



Q 2 



