Torquil MacLeod

Who is Torquil MacLeod?

Torquil MacLeod was the chief of Clan MacLeod of Lewis in around 1500. He died before 1510. He was born in about 1460, and mentioned in 1498, and in 1506.

Torquil, the heir of Roderick MacLeod of Lewis, was the principal supporter of Domhnall Dubh, claimant to the Principality of the Isles, when Domhnall escaped from prison and raised the banner of insurrection in 1501, for the purpose of regaining the lordship of the Isles. Torquil married the widowed Catriona inghen Cailein a Caimbeul, daughter of Cailean, the first Earl of Argyle, and herself a sister of Donald dubh's mother Mairead.

In the end of the fifteenth century, king James IV of Scotland was endeavouring to put an end to the constant clan troubles in the Hebrides, caused by the efforts to revive the broken power of the Lord of the Isles.

Torquil was the most notable of the chiefs who resisted the efforts of the king’s lieutenants, first his brother-in-law, Archibald Campbell, 2nd Earl of Argyll, and afterwards Alexander Gordon, 3rd Earl of Huntly. It was only by the efforts of James IV himself that the Islesmen were finally brought to peaceful submission.