History of the Mackenzies, with genealogies of the principal families of the nameMackenzie, Alexander
History
History of the Mackenzies, with genealogies of the principal families of the name
Mackenzie, Alexander
Mackenzie family; Scotland -- Genealogy; Seaforth, Earls of
The following account from family MSS. and Sir Robert Gordon's
"Earldom of Sutherland," refers no doubt to the same incidents -
John MacCallum, a brother of the Laird of Raasay, annoyed the people
of Torridon, which place at that time belonged to the Baynes of
Tulloch. He alleged that Tulloch, in whose house he was fostered,
had promised him these lands as a gift of fosterage; but Tulloch,
whether he had made a previous promise to MacGillechallum or not,
left the lands of Torridon to his own second son, Alexander Mor
MacDhonnchaidh Mhic Alastair, alias Bayne. He afterwards obtained
a decree against MacGillechallum for interfering with his lands
and molesting the people, and, on a Candlemas market, with a
large following of armed men, made up of most of the Baynes, and
a considerable number of Munros, he came to the market stance,
at that time held at Logie. John MacGillechallum, ignorant of
Tulloch "getting the laws against him" and in no fear of his life
or liberty, came to the market as usual, and, while standing buying
some article at a chapman's stall, Alastair Mor and his followers
came up behind him unperceived, and, without any warning, struck
him on the head with a two-edged sword - instantly killing him. A
gentleman of the Clann Mhurchaidh Riabhaich Mackenzies, Ian Mac
Mhurchaidh Mhic Uilleam, a very active and powerful man, was at
the time standing beside him, and he asked who dared to have spilt
Mackenzie blood in that dastardly manner. He had no sooner said
the words than he was run through the body by one of the swords
of the enemy; and thus, without an opportunity of drawing their
weapons, fell two of the best swordsmen in the North of Scotland.
The alarm and the news of their death immediately spread through
the market. "Tulloch Ard," the war cry of the Mackenzies, was
instantly raised; whereupon the Baynes and the Munros took to their
heels - the Munros eastward to the Ferry of Fowlis, and the Baynes
northward to the hills, both followed by a band of the infuriated
Mackenzies, who slaughtered every one they overtook. Iain Dubh Mac
Choinnich Mhic Mhurchaidh, of the clan Mhurchaidh Riabhaich, and
Iain Gallda Mac Fhionnla Dhuibh, two gentlemen of the Mackenzies,
the latter of whom was a Kintail man, were on their way from Chanonry
to the market, when they met in with a batch of the Munros flying
in confusion and, learning the cause to be the murder of their
friends at Logie market, they instantly pursued the fugitives,
killing no less than thirteen of them between Logie and the wood
of Millechaich. All the townships in the neighbourhood of the
market joined the Mackenzies in the pursuit, and Alastair Mor Bayne
of Tulloch only saved himself, after all his men were killed, by
taking shelter and hiding for a time in a kiln-logie. Two of his
followers, who managed to escape from the market people, met with
some Lewismen on their way to the fair, who, noticing the Baynes
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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