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he barony and constituted its chief messuage。 He built the first three stories of the Tower of Kinkell； 〃where his arms and those of his first wife are parted per pale above the mantelpiece of the great hall。〃 ＇Gairloch MS。＇
The son of Roderick MacAllan 〃Nimhneach〃 of Gairloch； in the absence of young MacGillechallum Garbh of Raasay； who； under the care of the Laird of Calder escaped the massacre of Island Isay； possessed himself of Raasay and took up his quarters in Castle Brochail； the ancient residence of the Chiefs of Macleod； of which the ruins are still to be seen on the east side of the island。
Seeing this； Donald Mac Neill； who previously sent young Macleod of Raasay to the protection of Calder brought back the rightful heir； and kept him； in private； until an opportunity occurred by which he could obtain possession of the castle。 This he soon managed by coming to terms with the commander of the stronghold； who preferred the native heir to his relative of the Gairloch Macleods。
It was arranged that when Mac Neill should arrive at the castle with his charge； access should be given to young Raasay。 The commander kept his word； and MacGillechallum Garbh was soon after proclaimed laird。 In 1610 a severe skirmish was fought at Lochan…an…Fheidh； in Glen Torridon； between the Mackenziesled by Alexander； since his brother's death in 1601； the apparent heir of Gairlochand the Macleods under John MacAllan Mhic Rory； then the only surviving direct male representative of Allan Macleod of Gairloch and grandson probably of Rory Nimhneach。 John Tolmach； John's uncle was also present； but he succeeded in effecting his escape； while John MacAllan and seventeen or eighteen of his followers were taken prisoners。 Many more were killed and a few who escaped alive with John Tolmach were pursued out of the district。 The slain were buried where they fell； and the graves can still be seen； the nettles which continue to grow over them at the present day indicating the position of the last resting…place on the field of battle of these Macleod warriors； on the west side of the Sgura Dubh； above Glen Torridon； a little beyond the Gairloch estate march。
Shortly after this engagement another attempt was made by the Macleods to regain the lands of Gairloch； the history of which is still a prominent and interesting feature in the local traditions of the parish。 The affair is called 〃Latha Leac…na…Saighead。〃
Mr John H。 Dixon gives a good version of it； as related to him by Roderick Mackenzie； locally known as Ruairidh an Torraan intelligent man of about ninety who only died two years agoin his interesting book on the history and traditions of the parish of Gairloch。
According to Roderick's version； as given by Mr Dixon； many of the Macleods； after they had been driven from Gairloch； settled in Skye。 A considerable number of the younger men were invited by their chief to pass Hogmanay night in the Castle of Dunvegan。 In the kitchen there was an old woman known as Mor Bhan； who was usually occupied in carding wool； and generally supposed to be a witch。 After dinner the men began to drink； and when they had passed some time in this occupation； they sent to the kitchen for Mor Bhan。
She at once joined them in the hall； and having drunk one or two glasses along with them； she remarked that it was a very poor thing for the Macleods to be deprived of their own lands in Gairloch； and to have to live in comparative poverty in Raasay and the Isle of Skye。 〃But；〃 she said to them； 〃prepare yourselves and start to…morrow for Gairloch； sail in the black birlinn； and you shall regain it。 I shall be a witness of your success when you return。〃
The men trusted her； believing she had the power of divination。 In the morning they set sail for Gairlochthe black galley was full of the Macleods。 It was evening when they entered the loch。 They were afraid to land on the mainland； for they remembered that the descendants of Domhnull Greannach （a celebrated Macrae） were still there； and they knew the prowess of these men only too well。 The Macleods therefore turned to the south side of the loch； and fastened their birlinn to the Fraoch Eilean； in the well…sheltered bay opposite Leac…nan…Saighead； between Shieldaig and Badachro。 Here they decided to wait until morning； then disembark； and walk round the head of the loch。
But all their movements had been well and carefully watched。 Domhnull Odhar Mac lain Leith and his brother Ian； the celebrated Macrae archers； recognised the birlinn of the Macleods； and determined to oppose their landing。 They walked round the head of the loch by Shieldaig and posted themselves before daylight behind the Leac； a projecting rock overlooking the Fraoch Eilean。 The steps on which they stood at the back of the rock are still pointed out。 Donald Odhar； being of small stature； took the higher of the two ledges； and Ian took the lower。 Standing on these they crouched down behind the rock； completely sheltered from the enemy； but commanding a full view of the island； while they were quite invisible to the Macleods； who lay down on the island。 As soon as the day dawned the two Macraes directed their arrows on the strangers； of whom a number were killed before their comrades were even aware of the direction from which the messengers of death came。 The Macleods endeavoured to answer their arrows； but not being able to see the foe； their efforts were of no effect。 In the heat of the fight one of the Macleods climbed up the mast of the birlinn to discover the position of the enemy。 Ian Odhar observing this； took deadly aim at him when near the top of the mast。
〃Oh；〃 says Donald； addressing John； 〃you have sent a pin through his broth。〃 The slaughter continued； and the remnant of the Macleods hurried aboard their birlinn。 Cutting the rope； they turned her head seawards。 By this time only two of their number were left alive。 In their hurry to escape they left all the bodies of their slain companions unburied on the island。
A rumour of the arrival of the Macleods had during the night spread through the district； and other warriors； such as Fionnla Dubh na Saighead； and Fear Shieldaig； were soon at the scene of action； but all they had to do on their arrival was to assist in the burial of the dead Macleods。 Pits were dug； into each of which a number of the bodies were thrown； and mounds were raised over them which remain to this day； as any one landing on the island may observe。
In 1611； Murdoch Mackenzie； second surviving son of John Roy Mackenze； IV。 of Gairloch； accompanied by Alexander Bayne； heir apparent of Tulloch； and several brave men from Gairloch； sailed to the Isle of Skye in a vessel loaded with wine and provisions。 It is said by some that Murdoch's intention was to apprehend John Tolmach； while others maintain that his object was to secure in marriage the daughter and heir of line of Donald Dubh MacRory。 The latter theory is far the more probable； and it is the unbroken tradition in Gairloch。
John Macleod was a prisoner in Gairloch； was