pp. 88-90]                  THE MACKENZIES                               59

[page 90.]

being trod under by Insolence and Oppression, Right had no
Place. This was during David Bruce his Imprisonment in
England. One MacCaula, who commanded Isleandounnan,
when he knew That The Earl of Ross had murthered his
Master, conveyed his Son for Safety to MacCoule of Lorne.
He married Daughter to MacCaula of Lochbroom.

This MacCaula was killed by Leod MacGillandris. So The
First Rights of The Lands of Lochbroom and Cogach fell
unto Murdoch in Right of his Wife. But The Earl of Ross
Superior of them assumed to himself by Force. Yet Murdoch
assisted by his Cousin MacLeod of Lewis revenged his Brother
in Law's Death on Leod; For Leod having appointed a
Rendezvouz at Keam-Loch-Ew in Order to have spoiled Mac-
kenzie's Lands, Murdoch prevented him by keeping The
Rendezvouz and seizing on all Leod's People as they came he
killed himself and made Paul his Son Prisoner. This Paul
was released, and turned a common Depredator. Having
drawn Murdoch Riach Brother to Mackenzie in Association
with him they oft spoiled Caithness, where at Last Murdoch
Riach was killed by Budge of Toftinga, and Paul obtained
Peace from The Earl of Ross by giving his only Daughter to
Ross of Balnagowen in Right of which Wife he enjoys The
most of Stracharron and Strahockell.

DURING this turbulent Age Securities and Writs as well as
Laws were little regarded. Each Man's Protection lay in his
Strength till David Bruce's Return Anno 1357. The King-
dom being more Peaceable, and Law was more regarded.
There is a Charter granted by David King of Scotland to this
Murdo filio Kennethi de Kintail &c. Dated at Edinburgh
1362 et Regni Domini Regis 31. Testibus Waltero Senescallo
Ramsay et Aliis.

To Murdoch Dow succeeded Murdoch Nidroit his Son so
called because his Mother being with Child of him had been
saved after a Fearfull Fall from The Bridge of Scattoll into
The Water of Connan. He married Fingala Daughter to
MacLeod of Herries. King Robert gave him a Charter at
Edinburgh Anno 1380. Testibus Gulielmo de Douglas,
Archibaldo de Alloway et Joanne Cancellario Scot.

THIS Murdoch was The only Chief in The North Highlands