Scottish control Hebrides

kisimul castle, ancient seat of clan macneil, castlebay, barra

as norse era drew close, norse-speaking princes gradually replaced gaelic-speaking clan chiefs including macleods of lewis , harris, clan donald , macneil of barra. transition did little relieve islands of internecine strife although 14th century macdonald lords of isles, based on islay, in theory these chiefs feudal superiors , managed exert control.

the lords of isles ruled inner hebrides part of western highlands subjects of king of scots until john macdonald, fourth lord of isles, squandered family s powerful position. rebellion nephew, alexander of lochalsh provoked exasperated james iv forfeit family s lands in 1493.

in 1598, king james vi authorised gentleman adventurers fife civilise barbarous isle of lewis . successful, colonists driven out local forces commanded murdoch , neil macleod, based forces on bearasaigh in loch ròg. colonists tried again in 1605 same result, third attempt in 1607 more successful , in due course stornoway became burgh of barony. time, lewis held mackenzies of kintail (later earls of seaforth), pursued more enlightened approach, investing in fishing in particular. seaforths royalist inclinations led lewis becoming garrisoned during wars of 3 kingdoms cromwell s troops, destroyed old castle in stornoway.

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