him, which he refused, for which cause John ordered bring all his
cattle to those he employed to besiege the castle till Malcolm (the
governor) would be starved out of it. Yet this did not prevail with
the governor, till he got Hector's consent, who, being acquainted,
came to Lochalsh and met with his nephew, and after concerting the
matter, Hector sends word to Malcolm to render the place to John.
But Malcolm would not till he would be paid of his goods that were
destroyed. But Hector sending to him the second time, after
considerable negotiation for several days, telling him he was a fool,
that he might remember how himself was used, and that that might be a
means to take his life also. Whereupon Malcolm renders the house,
but John was so much offended at him that he would not continue him
governor, but gave the charge to Gillechriost Mac Fhionnla Mhic Rath,
making him Constable of the Isle. So after that there was little or
no debate twixt John and Hector during the rest of the six years he
was Tutor.' [Ardintoul and Ancient MSS. of the Mackenzies.]

The MS. Histories of the family are borne out by Gregory, [Highlands
and Isles of Scotland, p. 111] who informs us that "Hector Roy
Mackenzie, progenitor of the House of Gairloch, had, since the
death of Kenneth Og Mackenzie of Kintail, in 1497, and during the
minority of John, the brother and heir of Kenneth, exercised the
command of that clan, nominally as guardian to the young chief.
Under his rule the Clan Mackenzie became involved in feuds with the
Munroes and other clans, and Hector Roy himself became obnoxious
to Government as a disturber of the public peace. His intentions
towards the young Laird of Kintail were considered very dubious;
and the apprehensions of the latter having been roused, Hector
was compelled by law to yield up the estate and the command of the
tribe to the proper heir." Gregory gives the "Acts of the Lords