Isles. On these conditions Roderick took | Connanach, as his son and heir apparent. possession of the Lewis in 1538. This

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On his liberation, the first act of Roderick was to revoke all that he had done, when he was a captive, on the ground of coercion, and of the undutiful conduct of Torquil Connanach. Fresh dissensions followed this revocation, and, at length, in 1576, both father and son were summoned to Edinburgh, where in presence of the regent Morton and the privy council, they agreed to forget their mutual animosities. Torquil Connanach was again recognised as heir apparent of the Lewis, and in that character received from his father Coigach, and several other lands, for his support during the

RODERICK, eleventh Baron of Lewis, was known in history by the name of Old Rory, having lived to the age of nearly one hundred years. In May, 1539, he, with his clan, accompanied Donald Gorme to Skye, where they laid waste the lands of Macleod of Herries. From Skye they passed over into Ross Shire, where after ravaging the district of Kinlochen, they proceeded to Kintail, with the intention of surprising Mackenzie's Castle of Elandonan. Here, however, Donald Gorme was killed, and the Macleods, discouraged by the event, returned home, after burning all the boats belong-life of the latter. In 1585, these quarrels ing to the Kintail men. In 1540, JAMES V. arrived with a powerful fleet to quiet the highlanders, and subdue the turbulent chiefs. Roderick, with his principal clansmen, were made prisoners in Lewis, and obliged to accompany the other captive chiefs to Edinburgh, where they were all forced to remain until they gave up hostages as a pledge of their future good behaviour. JAMES V. died soon after, and the highland prisoners were all released by the Earl of Arran in 1543. Roderick married first, Janet, daughter of John Mackenzie, of Kintail. The alleged issue of this marriage was a son, Torquil," afterwards, from his residence among his mother's relations in Strathcoanon, surnamed "Connanach." But this Torquil Connanach, was never acknowledged by Roderick, who said he was the son of the Breve, or Judge of the Island, and in consequence, divorced his mother, Janet Mackenzie. Roderick married secondly, Barbara Stewart, daughter of Andrew, Lord Evandale and Ochiltree. This marriage took place in 1541, and by this lady, Roderick had a son, also called Torquil, but who was surnamed " Oighre," or "The Heir," to distinguish him from Torquil Connanach, whose claims, as heir of the Lewis, being supported by the Mackenzies, a feud between them and the Siol Torquil ensued. In the year 1566, Torquil Oighre, a young chief of great promise, was, with many of his attendants, drowned in a tempest, when sailing from Lewis to Skye. As he left no male issue, this event gave fresh spirit to the supporters of Torquil Connanach, and also to that individual himself, who had now married a daughter of Macdonnell of Glengarry. In the year 1571, Roderick was made prisoner by his son, Torquil Connanach, who detained him four years in captivity, at the Castle of Stornoway.

Being brought, while a prisoner, before the Earl of Mar, then regent, and his privy council, Roderick was compelled to resign his estate into the hands of the crown, taking a new destination of it to himself in life rent, and, after his death, to Torquil

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were again renewed with greater violence than ever. Roderick had recently married, for his third wife, a sister of Lauchlan Maclean, of Dowart, and by that lady, was father of two sons; the elder named Torquil Dubh, or "The Black," and the younger, Tormod. He had likewise five natural sons, all come to man's estate, three of whom, Donald, Ruare, Oig, and Niele, joined with their father, when that chief once more disinherited Torquil Connanach, and named Torquil Dubh as his heir. The other natural sons, Tormod Uigach and Murdoch, attached themselves to Torquil Connanach. Tormod Uigach was slain by his brother Donald, who again was seized by Murdoch, and delivered to Torquil Connanach for punishment; Donald, however, contrived to escape, and, in his turn, seized Murdoch, who was then imprisoned by old Roderick in the Castle of Stornoway, in Lewis. Torquil Connanach took up arms to relieve Murdoch, and justified himself for his hostility to his father, by alleging that his own life was in danger from the latter. Having besieged the Castle of Stornoway, and taken it, he not only liberated Murdoch, but again took his father prisoner. He likewise carried off all the charters and papers of the family, which he afterwards delivered to Mackenzie of Kintail. Before leaving Lewis, Torquil Connanach sent for his son, John, a youth who had been brought up by the Earl of Huntly, and made him keeper of the Castle of Stornoway, in which Roderick the old chief was kept prisoner. John continued in possession of the castle and island for some time, when he was attacked by Ruari Oig, his natural uncle, who killed him, and once more restored old Roderick to his estate and liberty, both which he enjoyed during the rest of his turbulent days. On hearing of the death of his son, John, Torquil Connanach, by the advice of the Mackenzies, apprehended and executed Donald, his natural brother, whom they supposed knew the designs of Ruari Oig. Thus was the Siol Torquil weakened by private dissensions, exposed to fall a prey, as

or Norman Macleod, the younger brother of | he passed under the great seal, a gift of the Torquil Dubh, and only surviving legitimate Lewis to himself, in virtue of the resignason of old Roderick, whom he had detained tion made formerly in his favour, by Torcaptive for many years, without a warrant. quil Connanach. The adventurers, however, He sent this young man to the Lewis, pro- were not so unmindful of their own interest, mising him secretly great assistance, if he as to allow this to pass unchallenged. They would attack the adventurers in concert complained to his majesty, who was highly with Niell. Tormod arrived in the Lewis incensed against Kintail, and forced him to in 1601, and was received with joy by all resign his right thus surreptitiously obtained. the Siol Torquil, of which he took the com- Lewis being now once more at the disposal mand, the chief, his nephew, being still a of the king, he granted it anew to three perchild. Encouraged by the reception he met sons only, viz. James, Lord Balmerino, Sir with from the clan, and guided by the ad- George Hay, and Sir James Spens, of Worvice and experience of Niell, Tormod at- mestoun. This new grant was effected in tacked the camp of the adventurers, forced 1608, and in 1609, Lord Balmerino was it, burned the fort, killed many of the men, tried and convicted of high treason, and his and at last, obliged the principal adven- grant of the Lewis forfeited; but Hay and turers to capitulate, and finally to leave Spens invaded the Lewis with a large force, the Lewis. Tormod continued undisturbed in order, if possible, to apprehend Niell in the Lewis from 1601 until 1605, during Macleod, who still held out and opposed which time he commanded the Siol Torquil, their designs. Niell was secretly encouin the capacity of guardian to the chief, his raged by Lord Kintail, who however avoidnephew Roderick, who was a minor. In ed suspicion by sending his brother, afterthe summer of 1605, the adventurers once wards" Tutor of Kintail," to aid the advenmore returned to the Lewis, where they turers. Kintail having shipped some victuals landed with a considerable force, and imme- in Ross Shire, for the supply of the advendiately sent a message to Tormod, offering turers, secretly procured this vessel to be that if he would submit to them, they would seized on her passage to the Lewis, by Niell take him to London, and not only procure Macleod, expecting that the adventurers, his pardon from the king, JAMES VI. but trusting to these provisions, and disappointed would suffer him, through his friends, to sue of them, would be forced to abandon the for his majesty's favour, and for means of Lewis. This expectation was fulfilled, for subsistence. Much against the advice of Sir George Hay and Sir James Spens, being Niell, Tormod agreed to these terms, and unsuccessful in apprehending Niell Macdeclined to risk a battle against the adven- leod, and lacking food for their followers, turers and their forces. Niell, however, were obliged to leave the Lewis and disband with those who adhered to him, still held their forces; leaving, however, a small garout, and continued to harass the adventurers rison in the fort of Stornoway. This fort, for some years. According to their pro- very soon after their departure, was burned mise, the adventurers sent Tormod Macleod by Niell, and the garrison taken prisoners, to London, where he made such progress in but these he sent safely home to Fife. convincing JAMES of the injustice of a grant to the lowlanders, of what was by right his nephew's, that the adventurers became alarmed he would procure its recall. They therefore used all their influence against him, and some of them being of the royal household, they prevailed so far, that he was sent to Edinburgh Castle, where he was detained for ten years. The king then gave him liberty to go to Holland, to the service of Maurice, Prince of Orange; and he died in that country without heirs.

In the year 1607, the Lewis adventurers having sustained many annoyances from the persevering hostility of Niell Macleod, who was assisted by Macniel of Barra, the captain of Clanranald, and Macleod of Herries, began to be weary of their undertaking; and reduced and dispirited by the frequent attacks made upon them, they at last forsook the island, and returned to their own homes. Lord Kintail, who had all along wrought to this end, now began to stir in the matter. By means of his friend, the lord chancellor,

Thus ended, in 1610, the last attempt made by the lowlanders to colonize the Lewis; for disgusted with their want of success, Hay and Spens were easily prevailed upon to sell their title to the Lord of Kintail, who likewise obtained from the king a grant of the share in the island forfeited by Lord Balmerino. Having now at last procured a legal right to the Lewis, Kintail lost no time in asserting his claims. procured from the government, a commission of fire and sword against the Lewis men, and landing on the island with a large force of his clan and followers, speedily reduced the islanders to obedience.

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He

Niell Macleod, with his son Donald, and about thirty other men, retired to an insulated rock, called Berrisay," situated on the west coast of Lewis, where they maintained themselves for three years. Being then forced to evacuate this place by the Mackenzies, Niell retired to Harris, where he surrendered to Roderick Macleod of Harris, and entreated him to take him to

it did soon afterwards, to the growing power | passed by the government, by which all of the Mackenzies. Old Roderick, whose life had been oxe continued scene of troubles, died about the year 1590. He was succeeded by his son, Torquil Dubh, as

chiefs, and others, possessing, or pretending any right to, property of any kind in the Highlands and Isles, were to show their various title deeds before the lords of the Exchequer, on the 15th May, 1598. Absolute forfeiture was the penalty of disobedience to this act, and unfortunately, the Macleods of Lewis were amongst the number of those who did not obey. In May, 1598, the island of Lewis was solemnly forfeited to the crown, and given by JAMES VI. to a company of lowland adventurers, whose object was to civilize the isies, according to plans suggested by the king. Now nothing could more displease Lord Kintail, than the settlement of these adventurers in Lewis, for his greatest wish was to secure that island for himself and his own family. It was for this reason, and not for any love he bore Torquil Connanach, he had hitherto interfered so much in the affairs of the Siol Torquil, and unhappily, the dissentions in that clan, added to the simplicity of Torquil Connanach, greatly favoured his designs. He now therefore used every means in his power to annoy the adventurers, in order that they might give up the Lewis, but he did this only secretly, for fear of incurring the displeasure of government. In October, 1599, the adventurers first landed in Lewis, where they completed a town, where they encamped. They were much opposed and disturbed by Niell and Murdoch, the two surviving natural sons of old Roderick; but about the year 1600, these two brothers quarrelled with each other, and the adventurers taking advantage of this, offered to Niell Macleod, that if he would deliver up his brother Murdoch to them, they would give a portion of the island to himself, and also obtain for him a pardon for his past conduct. Niell accepted these terms, delivered up his brother to the adventurers, and accompanied them himself to Edinburgh,

TORQUIL, twelfth Baron of Lewis, whose title, however, was disputed by Torquil Connanach. The island estates were all held by Torquil Dubh, whilst the mainland estates were in possession of Torquil Connanach, whose right however, to the whole, had recently been acknowledged by government. Torquil Connanach had now lost both his sons, John, the eldest, having been killed at Stornoway, and the second, Neill, dead of a fever. He had married his eldest daughter, Margaret, to Sir Roderick Mackenzie, of Tarbat, brother of Mackenzie of Kintail, and ancestor of the Earls of Cromarty. He now threw himself entirely into the hands of the Mackenzies, to whom, in the end, he even conveyed the barony of the Lewis, so far as writings could accomplish this object. The estate of Lochbroom, and a great deal more of the Lewis property, was given by Torquil Connanach to his daughter, Margaret, as a dowry; and her husband joined the Lewis arms with his own. In the mean time, Torquil Dubh, married a sister of Mac Leod of Herries, and proceeded to ravage the lands of Coigach and Lochbroom, openly announcing his intention of keeping by force what he had hitherto possessed. As this young chief was much beloved by his clan, and was followed by 700 or 800 men, he was enabled for some time, to set his rival at defiance, in spite of the power of the Mackenzies. At length his enemies made a complaint against him to the privy council, of which body, unfortunately, Mackenzie of Kintail was a member. Torquil was summoned before the council, but naturally hesitating to trust himself, in a court, where his enemy Kintail had so much power, he was denounced as a rebel, and being soon after-where he received a full pardon. In the wards treacherously seized, by the breve or judge of Lewis, and delivered by him to Mackenzie, Torquil Dubh was, without further ceremony, beheaded in July, 1597.

Torquil Dubh left three young sons, Roderick, William, and Torquil, whose cause in the Lewis was supported by the Macleans, and Macleods of Herries, and also by their natural uncle Niell, who took the command of the Siol Torquil, during the minority of young Roderick. The cause therefore of Torquil Connanach and the Mackenzies appeared at this time to have gained little by the death of Torquil Dubh. At this same time the Mackenzies tried to sieze the whole lands of Gairloch from the Siol Vic Gillecallum, of Rasay, which renewed an ancient feud between these two families. In the year 1598, an act was

mean time Murdoch Macleod was executed at St. Andrew's, and owing to some confessions made by him, and of complaints by the adventurers, Lord Kintail was apprehended, and committed prisoner to Edinburgh Castle, whence, however, he contrived to escape without a trial, by means of his friend, the lord chancellor. The adventurers returned to Lewis with Niell Macleod, their prospects much improved by their alliance with the most powerful man in the island; however, soon after their return, some injury done by one of them to Niell, embroiled them once more with the latter. Mackenzie, who since the agreement between Niell and the adventurers, had almost despaired of frustrating the enterprise, no sooner heard of this quarrel, than he hastened to profit by it. For this purpose he released Tormod,

or Norman Macleod, the younger brother of | he passed under the great seal, a gift of the Torquil Dubh, and only surviving legitimate Lewis to himself, in virtue of the resignason of old Roderick, whom he had detained tion made formerly in his favour, by Torcaptive for many years, without a warrant. quil Connanach. The adventurers, however, He sent this young man to the Lewis, pro- were not so unmindful of their own interest, mising him secretly great assistance, if he as to allow this to pass unchallenged. They would attack the adventurers in concert complained to his majesty, who was highly with Niell. Tormod arrived in the Lewis incensed against Kintail, and forced him to in 1601, and was received with joy by all resign his right thus surreptitiously obtained. the Siol Torquil, of which he took the com- Lewis being now once more at the disposal mand, the chief, his nephew, being still a of the king, he granted it anew to three perchild. Encouraged by the reception he met sons only, viz. James, Lord Balmerino, Sir with from the clan, and guided by the ad- George Hay, and Sir James Spens, of Worvice and experience of Niell, Tormod at- mestoun. This new grant was effected in tacked the camp of the adventurers, forced 1608, and in 1609, Lord Balmerino was it, burned the fort, killed many of the men, tried and convicted of high treason, and his and at last, obliged the principal adven- grant of the Lewis forfeited; but Hay and turers to capitulate, and finally to leave Spens invaded the Lewis with a large force, the Lewis. Tormod continued undisturbed in order, if possible, to apprehend Niell in the Lewis from 1601 until 1605, during Macleod, who still held out and opposed which time he commanded the Siol Torquil, their designs. Niell was secretly encouin the capacity of guardian to the chief, his raged by Lord Kintail, who however avoidnephew Roderick, who was a minor. In ed suspicion by sending his brother, afterthe summer of 1605, the adventurers once wards "Tutor of Kintail," to aid the advenmore returned to the Lewis, where they turers. Kintail having shipped some victuals landed with a considerable force, and imme- in Ross Shire, for the supply of the advendiately sent a message to Tormod, offering turers, secretly procured this vessel to be that if he would submit to them, they would seized on her passage to the Lewis, by Niell take him to London, and not only procure Macleod, expecting that the adventurers, his pardon from the king, JAMES VI. but trusting to these provisions, and disappointed would suffer him, through his friends, to sue of them, would be forced to abandon the for his majesty's favour, and for means of Lewis. This expectation was fulfilled, for subsistence. Much against the advice of Sir George Hay and Sir James Spens, being Niell, Tormod agreed to these terms, and unsuccessful in apprehending Niell Macdeclined to risk a battle against the adven- leod, and lacking food for their followers, turers and their forces. Niell, however, were obliged to leave the Lewis and disband with those who adhered to him, still held their forces; leaving, however, a small garout, and continued to harass the adventurers rison in the fort of Stornoway. This fort, for some years. According to their pro- very soon after their departure, was burned mise, the adventurers sent Tormod Macleod by Niell, and the garrison taken prisoners, to London, where he made such progress in but these he sent safely home to Fife. convincing JAMES of the injustice of a grant to the lowlanders, of what was by right his nephew's, that the adventurers became alarmed he would procure its recall. They therefore used all their influence against him, and some of them being of the royal household, they prevailed so far, that he was sent to Edinburgh Castle, where he was detained for ten years. The king then gave him liberty to go to Holland, to the service of Maurice, Prince of Orange; and he died in that country without heirs.

In the year 1607, the Lewis adventurers having sustained many annoyances from the persevering hostility of Niell Macleod, who was assisted by Macniel of Barra, the captain of Clanranald, and Macleod of Herries, began to be weary of their undertaking; and reduced and dispirited by the frequent attacks made upon them, they at last forsook the island, and returned to their own homes. Lord Kintail, who had all along wrought to this end, now began to stir in the matter. By means of his friend, the lord chancellor,

Thus ended, in 1610, the last attempt made by the lowlanders to colonize the Lewis; for disgusted with their want of success, Hay and Spens were easily prevailed upon to sell their title to the Lord of Kintail, who likewise obtained from the king a grant of the share in the island forfeited by Lord Balmerino. Having now at last procured a legal right to the Lewis, Kintail lost no time in asserting his claims. He procured from the government, a commission of fire and sword against the Lewis men, and landing on the island with a large force of his clan and followers, speedily reduced the islanders to obedience.

Niell Macleod, with his son Donald, and about thirty other men, retired to an insulated rock, called " Berrisay," situated on the west coast of Lewis, where they maintained themselves for three years. Being then forced to evacuate this place by the Mackenzies, Niell retired to Harris, where he surrendered to Roderick Macleod of Harris, and entreated him to take him to