!SOURCE: Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon and Alick Morrison, THE MACLEODS:
THE GENEALOGY OF A CLAN, Section III, "Cadet Families", Edinburgh, The
Clan MacLeod Society, 1970, p. 259.
Aonghus Beag mac Dhomhnuill mhic Aonghis, the famous Berneray
swordsman.
This swordsman flourished in the time of Donald MacLeod, the Old
Trojan of Berneray. His exploits were a favourite theme at ceilidh
firesides in the Hebrides. Though small in stature, he was wiry, strong
and fearless. There was the occasion when Kenneth Morrison and Donald
Og Macaulay of Lewis toured the Hebrieds in search of challengers, who
would fight a duel with them. They landed inBerneray and went for a
walk to the great white beach of Berneray, accompanied by Donald, the
Old Trojan and his henchman, Angus Beag, carrying his ''Lamb'', a
villainous looking claymore. Donald Og Macaulay contemptuously
remarked, "b''e sud claidheamh an t-seoid air slios a''gharlaoich", meaning
"the heros sword is girded on the insignificant varlet". The remark
struck home: Angus Beag was furious and challenged Donald Og to a fight
to the death. The Old Trojan would not hear of it for fear the laws of
hospitality in Berneray would be infringed. He however succeeded in
keeping the flaming opponents apart and advised Donald Og to clear away
from Berneray as secretly as possible next morning. When Angus Beag
came to Berneray House to demand full satisfaction, he was chagrined to
discover that his quarry was gone. He blamed the Old Trojan for not
giving him due information in time. A violent quarrel ensued: Angus
Beag was told to leave Berneray and was most fortunate to receive land
in Horgabost in West Harris.
Some time after, Donald Og Macaulay challenged Donald MacLeod, the
Old Trojan, to a duel. [CELTIC MAGAZINE, No. 103, pp. 315-18.] He
suggested that an appropriate spot could be found for the venue at
Meavag a''chuain in North Harris, which was almost equidistant between
Brenish in Lewis and Berneray, Harris. The Old Trojan accepted the
challenge with the usual alacrity. On the appointed day a party from
Berneray left for Meavag a''chuain and on the way, they passed the farm
of Horgabost before they embarked by boat for Meavag a''chuain. Angus
Beag was well aware about what was on foot, and he was personally
deeply affronted that the Berneray party had completely ignored him. he
called on his wife to prepare a ''cnap'', i.e. a lump of oatmeal mixed with
water, normally taken by travellers on a long journey in the Highlands.
When this was ready, Angus Beag took down his ''Lamb'' and set off post
haste on foot to walk all the way from Horgabost to Meavag a''chuain. He
arrivd in time. The combatants were ready to engage. Without halting to
speak to the company, Angus Beag thrust himself in front of the Old
Trojan and said, "Draw your sword-- is is the custom in Berneray for
those less in stature to take the first shock of action." Donald Og
slashed furiously with his claymore but every wild stroke was easily
parried by his skilful opponent. The contest grew increasingly more
furious. With a deft stroke of his claymore, Angus Beat cut off the
topmost button in his opponent''s shirt. This did not stop Macaulay. With
another deft stroke, Angus Beag drew blood, cuttin the skin on his
opponent''s cheek. Finally Angus Beag warned that with his next stroke
he would cut off Macaulay''s head. The latter now submitted. Donald, the
Old Trojan, was so delighted that Angus Beag was allowed to return to
his old home in Berneray. the two heroes were to fight together in the
battle of Culloden Moor in 1746 and accompanied Prince Charles Edward
Stuart from the stricken field to Invergarry. Here they parted with the
Prince but before they reached Harris they were to meet with further
adventures. These have already been alluded to in the genealogical
account on Donald MacLeod, the Old Trojan of Berneray. Angus Beag was
married and according to Berneray tradition he had issue, two sons.
1. Murdo Ban, from whom descend Clann Iain mhic Mhurchaidh mhic
Alasdair mhic Mhurchaidh Bhain. Murdo Ban is on record in the Grianam
Case as Murdo Ban mac Inna (i.e., Fair-haired Murdo son of Angus) who is
described as ''a servant of Bernera''s.''
2. Donald, whose granddaughter Catriona nighean Aonghuis mhic
Dhomhnaill mhic Aonghis Bhig was married to Iain Campbell of Pabbay
and later Berneray. From her descended Munro and Macaskill families
still in the island of Berneray.
Thus, more than half the population of the island of Berneray, as well
as many people in Harris, Canada and Australia can ''challenge'' descent
from the old MacLeods of Berneray in Harris. There are 2 other Berneray
families who claim descent from the MacLeods of Berneray. They are
Clann Iain Tailleir and Clann Chaluim mhic Aonghuis Bhain.