!SOURCE: Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon and Alick Morrison, THE MACLEODS:
THE GENEALOGY OF A CLAN, Section III, Edinburgh, The Clan MacLeod
Society, 1970, pp. 264-5.
This is the famous Tarmad Caol, one of the renowned warriors of the
Clan MacLeod. According to the BANNATYNE MANUSCRIPT, "the
MacDonalds under the command of Allister Carrach, brother of the Lord
of the Isles, landed at Loch Eynort in Skye. At the time, William
Cleireach 5th Chief of the Clan was residing in his castle in the island of
Pabbay in the Sound of Harris. He lost no time in returning to Skye,
summoning his clan and meeting the invaders at the head of Loch
Sligachan, where a fierce and bloody contest ensued in 1395. It ended
with the rout and the utter defeat of the MacDonalds with the loss of
their leader, who was slain by "Tormod Coil, cousin of William 5th and
son of Murdo, his uncle." The fame of this warrior member of the family
is adequate explanation of why future members of his descendants were
proud to blazon his name in their patronymic. Norman was married to a
daughter of MacLean of Lochbuie, with issue, at least a son, Malcolm,
who succeeded him.