War of the One-Eyed Woman

The Isle of Skye has a history as dramatic as its landscape. During the 16th century it was the scene of a fierce feud between the MacDonalds and the MacLeods, two clans who shared the island but almost never saw eye to eye. In a rare attempt to create lasting peace, Rory MacLeod arranged a marriage between his sister Margaret and Donald Gorm Mòr MacDonald.

The couple were handfasted and so Donald had a year and a day to make sure he was happy with his new bride and more importantly, that she would bear him a child. It should have been a joyful occasion and the start of a new chapter, but things didn't go to plan.

Margaret didn't end up pregnant before the year was through and to make matters worse, she lost an eye in an accident. Donald was a vain man who didn't want his bride anymore and he took this opportunity to show how cruel he really was. He ordered Margaret back to her brother, rejecting the marriage. To add insult to injury, she was sent riding a one-eyed horse, led by a one-eyed man accompanied by a one-eyed dog.

When she arrived at Dunvegan Castle, Rory MacLeod was furious and ordered an attack on the MacDonalds to repay his sister’s dishonour. A chain reaction of raid followed by counter raid started which became known as the War of the One-Eyed Woman. The confrontation spilled over into the surrounding islands resulting in some of the bloodiest small battles in Scottish history.

Things got so bad that it looked like the two clans wouldn't stop until they were both wiped out and the islands left desolate. The King's Privy Council had to step in and order both clan chiefs to surrender to the crown and make peace. Surprisingly it worked and they joined together to celebrate, throwing a party that lasted three whole weeks.