Clan Donald History Extra

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Dunscaith Castle
Sleat, Isle of Skye

The name of the castle itself is derived from the Gaelic ‘Dun Sgathaich’, the Castle of Sgathach, the warrior queen of earlier Gaelic mythology, of the 2nd century A.D.
This castle was probably an ancient Norse fort and was first occupied first by MacAskills and later by the McLeods as vassals of the Lords of the Isles. From 1469 to 1632 the castle was occupied as the residence and stronghold of Clan Uisdein, the name by which the family of Sleat has been known in the Clan after its founder.

The castle itself is built on the west side of the Sleat peninsula at the south east end of the Island of Skye.

These five photographs/graphics show you the castle as it is, and what it may have looked like at one time in its history.

The artists impression and plan of the castle produced with permission.

Trumpan Church
The Battle of the Spoiling Dyke - 1578
About a quarter of a mile to the east of the shores of Ardmore Bay are the rubbled ruins of Trumpan Church, or Kilconan Church as it was known long ago. In the graveyard are two late medieval grave slabs and a rough 4 sided pillar 4 feet high, called Clach Deuchainn, or the Trial Stone. The stone contains a hole. An accused person was blindfolded and was then forced to aim for it. If he did so successfully he was innocent, if he failed, he was judged guilty.

At this church on the morning of a Sunday at the beginning of May, 1578, one of the most sordid atrocities in a time distinguished for its sordid atrocities happened. The MacDonalds of Uist entered the bay of Ardmore in a fleet of eight ships under cover of a heavy mist and landed without being seen. Most of the inhabitants were worshipping inside the church.

The MacDonalds climbed the slopes above the shores, moved silently on the church and within moments had barred the door and set the tatched roof on fire. No one escaped alive except one girl, who although mortally wounded managed to give the alarm.

The Chief of Clan MacLeod on hearing the news, and armed with his talisman the Fairy Flag with his clansmen, set off for Ardmore Bay. They where were in time to capture the galleys of the MacDonalds and a battle ensued, where the MacDonalds were killed almost to a man. The corpses of the MacDonalds were dragged alongside a turf dyke - a wall; and the dyke was tumbled over on them in an neat and effortless burial. The incident is known as the Battle of the Spoiling Dyke - “Blar Milleadh Garaidh” - and is commemorated in a great pibroch.
This atrocity by the MacDonalds was to exact vengeance on the MacLeods for their atrocity of the massacre of MacDonalds in a cave on the island of Eigg a couple of years earlier. This again was a tit-for-tat revenge between the two feauding clans.

Trumpan Church The Battle of the Spoiling Dyke - 1578 About a quarter of a mile to the east of the shores of Ardmore Bay are the rubbled ruins of Trumpan Church, or Kilconan Church as it was known long ago. In the graveyard are two late medieval grave slabs and a rough 4 sided pillar 4 feet high, called Clach Deuchainn, or the Trial Stone. The stone contains a hole. An accused person was blindfolded and was then forced to aim for it. If he did so successfully he was innocent, if he failed, he was judged guilty. At this church on the morning of a Sunday at the beginning of May, 1578, one of the most sordid atrocities in a time distinguished for its sordid atrocities happened. The MacDonalds of Uist entered the bay of Ardmore in a fleet of eight ships under cover of a heavy mist and landed without being seen. Most of the inhabitants were worshipping inside the church. The MacDonalds climbed the slopes above the shores, moved silently on the church and within moments had barred the door and set the tatched roof on fire. No one escaped alive except one girl, who although mortally wounded managed to give the alarm.
The Chief of Clan MacLeod on hearing the news, and armed with his talisman the Fairy Flag with his clansmen, set off for Ardmore Bay. They where were in time to capture the galleys of the MacDonalds and a battle ensued, where the MacDonalds were killed almost to a man. The corpses of the MacDonalds were dragged alongside a turf dyke - a wall; and the dyke was tumbled over on them in an neat and effortless burial. The incident is known as the Battle of the Spoiling Dyke - “Blar Milleadh Garaidh” - and is commemorated in a great pibroch. This atrocity by the MacDonalds was to exact vengeance on the MacLeods for their atrocity of the massacre of MacDonalds in a cave on the island of Eigg a couple of years earlier. This again was a tit-for-tat revenge between the two feauding clans.