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…four hours； allowing only that the young Lady Margaret； Macdonald's own cousin； might remain until she had more leisure to remove； and threatening war to the knife in case of noncompliance。
Kenneth's rage now became ungovernable； and； without consulting his father or waiting his counsel； he bade the messenger tell Macdonald that his father would remain where he was in spite of him and all his power。 As for himself； he accepted no rules as to his staying or going； but Macdonald would be sure enough to hear of him wherever he was。 As for Macdonald's cousin； Lady Margaret； since he had no desire to keep further peace with his family he would no longer keep his relative。
Such was the defiant message sent to young Macdonald； and immediately after its despatch； Kenneth sent away Lady Margaret； in the most ignominious manner； to Balcony House。 The lady was blind of an eye； and； to insult her cousin to the utmost； he sent her back to him mounted on a one…eyed horse； accompanied by a one…eyed servant； followed by a one…eyed dog。 She was in a delicate state of health； and this inhumanity grieved her so much that she never after wholly recovered。 Her son； recently born； the only issue of the marriage； was named Kenneth； and to distinguish him from his father was called 〃Coinneach Og〃 or Kenneth the younger。
It appears that Kenneth had no great affection for Lady Margaret； for a few days after he sent her away he went to Lord Lovat accompanie by two hundred of his followers and besieged his house。 Lovat was naturally surprised at his conduct and demanded an explanation； when he was informed by Kenneth that he came to demand his daughter Agnes in marriage now that he had no wife； having； as he told him； disposed of Lady Margaret in the manner already described。 He insisted upon an immediate and favourable reply to his suit on which condition he promised to be on strict terms of friendship with the family； but； if his demand was refused he would swear mortal enmity against Lovat and his house； and； as evidence of his intention in this respect； he pointed out to his lordship that he already bad a party of his vassals outside gathering together the men； women； and goods that were nearest in the vicinity； all of whom； be declared； should 〃be made one fyne to evidence his resolution。〃 Lovat； who had no particularly friendly feelings towards Macdonald of the Isles； was not at all indisposed to procure Mackenzie's friendship on the terms proposed； and considering the exigencies and danger of his retainers； and knowing full well the bold and determined character of the man he had to deal with； he consented to the proposed alliance； provided the voting lady herself was favourable。 She fortunately proved submissive。 Lord Lovat delivered her up to her suitor； who immediately returned borne with her； and ever after they lived together as husband and wife。
Macdonald was naturally very much exasperated by Kenneth's defiant answer to himself and the repeated insults heaped upon his relative； and through her upon her family。 He therefore dispatched his great steward； Maclean； to collect his followers in the Isles； as also to advise and request the aid of his nearest relations on the mainland…the Macdonalds of Moidart and Clan Jan of Ardnamurchan。 In a short time they mustered a force between them of about fifteen hundred mensome say three thousandand arranged with Macdonald to meet him at Contin。 They assumed that Alexander Mackenzie； now so old； would not have gone to Kintail； but would stay in Ross； judging that the Macdonalds； so recently come under obligations to the King to keep the peace would not venture to collect their forces and invade the low country。 But Kenneth； foreseeing the danger from the rebellious temper of Macdonald； went to Kintail at the commencement of his enemy's preparations； and placed a strong garrison； with sufficient provisions； in Ellandonnan Castle； and the cattle and other goods in the district he ordered to be driven and sent to the most remote hills and secret places。 He took all the remaining able…bodied men along with him； and on his way back to Kinellan he was joined by his dependants in Strathconan； Strathgarve； and other glens in the Braes of Ross； all fully determined to defend Kenneth and his aged father at the expense； if need be； of their lives； small as their united forces were in comparison with that against which they knew they would soon have to contend。
Macdonald had meanwhile collected his friends； and； at the head of a large body of Western Highlanders； advanced through Lochaber into Badenoch； where he was joined by the Clan Chattan； marched to Inverness； where they were met by the young laird of Kilravock and some of Lovat's people； reduced the Castle （then a royal fortress）； placed a garrison in it； and proceeded to the north…east； plundering the lands of Sir Alexander Urquhart； Sheriff of Cromarty。 They next marched westward to the district of Strathconan； ravaged the lands of the Mackenzies as they went； and put the inhabitants and more immediate retainers of the family to the sword； resolutely determined to punish Mackenzie for his ill…treatment of Lady Margaret and recover possession of that part of the Earldom of Ross forfeited by the earls of that name； and now the property of Mackenzie by Royal charter。 Having wasted Strathconan； Macdonald arrived on Sunday morning at Contin； where he found the people in great terror and confusion； and the able…bodied men having already joined Mackenzie； the aged； the women； and the children took refuge in the church； thinking themselves secure within its precincts from any enemy professing Christianity。 They soon； to their horror； found out their mistake。 Macdonald； having little or no scruples on the score of religion； ordered the doors to be closed and guarded； and then set fire to the building。 The priest； together with the hapless crowd of helpless and aged men； women and children； were all burnt to ashes。
Some of those who were fortunate enough not to have been in Contin church immediately started for Kinellan； and informed Mackenzie of the hideous massacre。 Alexander； though deeply grieved at the cruel destruction of his people； expressed his gratitude that the enemy； whom he had hitherto considered too numerous to contend with successfully； had now engaged God against them by their impious conduct。 Contin was not far from Kinellan； and Macdonald； thinking that Mackenzie would not remain at the latter place with such a comparatively small force； ordered Gillespic to draw up his followers on the large moor； now known as 〃Blar…na…Pairc；〃 that he might review them； and send out a detachment to pursue the enemy。 Kenneth Mackenzie； who had received the command of the clan from the old chief； had meantime posted his men in a strong position on ground where he considered he could defend himself against a superior force； and conveniently situated to attack the enemy if a favourable opportunity occurred。 His followers only amounted to six hundred； while his opponent had at least three times that number； but he had the advantage in another respect inasmuch as h