[Ardintoul MS.]
There has been considerable difference of opinion as to the date
of this encounter, but it is finally set at rest by the discovery
of a positive date in the Fowlis papers, where it is said that
"George, the fourth Laird, and his son, begotton on Balnagown's
daughter, were killed at the conflict of Beallach na Brog, in the
year 1452, and Dingwall of Kildun, with several of their friends
and followers, in taking back the Earl of Ross's second son from
Clan Iver, Clan Tarlich or Maclennans, and Clan Leod." [The Earl
of Cromarty gives a different version, and says that the battle
or skirmish took place in the year immediately after the Battle
of Harlaw. In this he is manifestly in error. The Highlanders, to
defend themselves from the arrows of their enemies, with their
belts tied their shoes on their breasts, hence the name "Bealach
nam Brog," or the Pass of the Shoes.] The Balnagown of that date
was not the Earl of Ross's son, but a near relative.
Angus Og, after many sanguinary conflicts with his father, finally
overthrew him at the battle of the Bloody Bay, between Tobermory and
Ardnamurchan, obtained possession of all the extensive territories
of his clan, and was recognised as its legitimate head.
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