Clan Wars [2]

The boys' devoted stepmother managed to get hold of the bloodstained shirts and took them to Brahan Castle, the seat of the Earls of Seaforth, chiefs of the Clan Mackenzie. Old Alasdair MacKenzie was now too old and infirm to take action, but he sent his son, Hector Roy, the murdered boys' uncle, immediately to Edinburgh to report the crime to King James IV.

 

In consequence, he was granted a commission of Fire and Sword to deal with the murderers whom he apprehended and slew. In addition, Hector Roy inflicted a severe defeat on the Macleods after which they were content to allow Hector Roy MacKenzie to hold two-thirds of Gairloch. In 1494 Hector Roy got a Royal Charter of the lands of Gairloch. The MacLeods fought hard to drive the MacKenzies out of their lands and there followed desperate skirmishes between the two clans, still the subject of songs around the camp fire to this day. Some of the Macleods held out in the small fort on the nearby shore but were finally killed by Hector Roy thus avenging the deaths of his two little nephews.

 

Out of interest, some years ago a friend of mine, a Stewart married to a Macdonald, visited a Highland tourist shop where they each chose one of their Clan’s ties. When my friend explained why they chose those particular ties, the woman behind the counter refused to serve him, since the Stewarts and Macdonalds are historical enemies and they should never have married. Some peoples have long memories.

 

 

 

Done