The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

CHAP. VIII] OF SCOTLAND 329
the Macdonalds. But these possessions were, from their proximity,
looked upon with an envious eye by the Mackenzies,
and they consequently attempted to expel the Macdonalds
from them. Various success for some years attended the
prosecution of this feud, and many atrocities had been committed
on both sides, when Mackenzie resolved, by assistance
from government and under cover of law, to obtain that which
he had otherwise found himself unable to accomplish ; and the
mode of procedure adopted b}' him for this purpose is thus
described by Sir Robert Gordon :— " The laird of Glengarry
(one of the clan laws
Donald) being inexpert and
of the realme, the clan Chenzie easily
onskilful in the
entrapped him
within the compass thereof, and secretly charged him (bot not
personallie) to appear before the justice of Edinburgh, having
in the meantime slayn two of his kinsmen. Glengarry, not
knowing, or neglecting the charges and summonds, came not
to Edinburgh at the prefixt day, bot went about to revenge
the slaughter of his kinsmen, whereby he was denounced rebell
and outlawed, together with divers of his followers ; so by
means and credit of the earl of Dumfermlvn, lord chancellor of
Scotland, Kenneth Mackenzie, lord of Kintayle, did purchase a
commission against Glengarr\- and his men, whereby proceeded
great slaughter and trouble." Mackenzie having thus obtained
the authority and assistance of the government, and being
joined by a party of men sent by the earl of Sutherland,
soon succeeded in driving the Macdonalds from the disputed
territory, and at length besieged the only remaining detachment
of them, who occupied the castle of Strome.
After a siege of some duration, the Macdonalds were obliged
to surrender, and the Mackenzies forthwith blew up the castle.
He then invaded Glengarry at the head of a numerous body
of troops, which he had collected for that purpose, and attacked
the Macdonalds, who had taken arms in defence of their terri-
tory. The Macdonalds were beat, and their leader, Glengarry's
eldest son, was killed, with great slaughter on both sides ; the
Macdonalds defended their possessions for a considerable period
with such desperation, that at length Mackenzie, finding that
he could not make any impression upon them in their own
country, and Glengarry being aware that he had now little