Volume 3 - Electric Scotland

62 HISTORY OF THE WESTERN ISLANDS.
which Henry undertook to be a mediator, there was signed
at Perth, in 1266, that yet existing treaty by which the
Islands were ceded to Scotland, in consideration of 4000
marks to be paid in annual payments in four years, an
annual payment, for ever, of 100 more, and a protection to
the Norwegian subjects in the Isles. The penalty for non-
performance was 10,000 marks to be exacted by the Pope;
and the patronage of the bishopric of Mann was reserved
to Drontheim. The Chronicle does not notice its supposed
conquest by Stewart and Cumin. That had become un-
necessary ; and the very fact of the treaty proves that
the other islands had not been conquered by Buchan,
Murray, and Allan, as the Scots have asserted.
Thus the Western Isles and Mann became a portion
of Scotland : but as the latter very soon fell into the
hands of England during the contests for the Scottish
crown, it may now be dismissed. The history of the
Western Isles now also becomes a portion of Scottish
history ; but it continues even more obscure than when
under the Norwegian government. Certainly that crown
did not derive much profit or strength from the acqui-
sition, nor do the Islands themselves appear to have
gained by the change. That it was not a less turbulent
or violent period, is most apparent ; and it is equally
certain that the Isles were under a far more irregular
and divided system of government for a very long time.
The anecdotes that have been preserved are sufficient to
prove this; while it is also important to remark, that
Norway had here generally maintained an effectual con-
troul over a people, which, after its surrender of the
government, long defied the power of Scotland.
I formerly noticed a few of the particulars that relate to
the affair of Largs, in speaking of the Cumbrays and of
Loch Long; from which its real nature maybe under,
stood. We must not suffer ourselves to fall into the com-