The Conflicts of Skibo and
Strathfleet
About the same time, Macdonald of the Isles, accompanied with
some of his kinsmen and followers, to the number or five or six hundred, came into
Sutherland and encamped hard by the Castle of Skibo, whereupon Neil Murray (son or
grandson to Angus Murray, slain at Druimnacoub) was sent by John, Earl of Sutherland, to
resist them, in case they did offer any harm unto the inhabitants. Neil Murray, perceiving
them going about to spoil the country, invaded them hard by Skibo, and killed one of their
chieftains, called Donald Dow, with fifty others. Macdonald, with the rest of his company,
escaped by flight, and so retired into their own country.
Shortly thereafter another company of Macdonald's kin and
friends came to Strathfleet in Sutherland, and spoiled that part of the country, thinking
thereby to repair the loss they had before received but, Robert Sutherland (John, Earl of
Sutherland's brother), assembled some men in all haste, and encountered with them upon the
sands of Strathfleet. After a sharp and cruel skirmish, Macdonald's men were overthrown,
and divers of them killed. |
