Note 18 — CLAN TRADITIONS. (continued 2)

The quarrel in which MacLeod was killed was caused, it is said, by Donald Gorm’s having repudiated his wife, who was a daughter of MacLeod, in order to marry MacKenzie of Kintail’s sister, and MacLeod resenting the insult attacked Donald Gorm, who killed him and his two sons by throwing them over precipices in the Coolin hills in Skye where the skirmish took place. A different version of this incident is given in an early account of the “Troubles in the isles betwixt the Clan Donald and the Seil Tormot, the year 1601,” and is to the effect that the feud was carried on by “Sir Rory MacLeod of the Herries,” brother-in-law of Donald Gorm MacDonald of Sleat, the reprisals being fierce and frequent until the MacLeods were beaten at “Binguillin,” where a brother of Sir Rory and other chief men of his party were taken prisoners by Donald Gorm, but on a reconciliation taking place they were set at liberty. (See Gregory’s History of the Western Highlands and Isles, p. 295).