The book Arran; - Cook Clan

ARRAN IN THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 29
in that dark and doubtful hour before the dawn, when the
cause of Scottish independence was yet below the horizon
of the national hopes.
The winter of 1306-7 was spent by Bruce and his comrades
in the island of Rathlin, between Kintyre and Ireland. The
treacherous assault at Methven in the previous June had
scattered their little army ; relatives and friends had perished
on the gallows ; their heroic women-folk were in English
hands ; they themselves had reached safety only by resourcefulness,
hardihood, and the help of Angus MacDonald
of Kintyre. But they were not cast down ; though Bysset's
ships were under orders to put to sea in search of the fugitives.
As the spring drew on, James Douglas became impatient for
action, and suggested to Sir Robert Boyd a descent upon
Arran, where the English were in possession by the ' strong
hand,' and where was a ' stith ' (strong) castle of stone :
this was a good opening for causing trouble.^ Boyd readily
fell in with the proposal; he was a west country man and
said he knew well both the island and the castle. Taking
leave of the king, Douglas and his companions embarked in
a single galley, which would not carry more than a dozen men,
" and made for Kintyre. They then rowed along in the shadow
and shelter of the land till night began to fall, when they
crossed right over to Arran, probably coming to shore either
at Machrie or Drumadoon Bay.^ Their galley they drew up
under a brae, where they found hiding for it, and there too
concealed their oars, tackle, and helm. Then, no doubt under
the guidance of Sir Robert Boyd, who had the local knowledge,
they crossed the island during the night, apparently
a rainy night, for by the time they arrived in the neighbour-
' For this part and what follows of the narrative see The Bruce, bk. iv. 336 ff.
^ ' Into Kentyre soyn cumin ar thai
Syne rowit all-wayis by the land,
Till at the nycht wes neir at hand ;
Than till Arane thai went thair way.'
The Bruce, bk. iv. 11. 367-70.
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