The Kings of Scots would have done well to work with the Lords of the Isles from the times of the Canmore dynasty, through the Bruces and into the Stewarts. A navy is always helpful and the Lords of the Isles had one on hand to rein in their own unruly chieftains and show themselves throughout their extensive island holdings. Fortunately, Angus Og MacDonald had been raised by his grandfather so he had the example of how to be an effective Lord of the Isles, unlike his father and uncle who weren’t interested in the business of the Isles and the feuds between its chieftains. It’s also fortunate that he had a lot of energy as he had to patrol the Irish Sea and the seas from Outer Hebrides down to Northern England since Edward I of England had his eyes on the rest of Ireland, the Isle of Man, as well as Scotland. He and his chieftains deduced that if Edward I and Edward II managed to conquer mainland Scotland it wouldn’t be long before the Lordship of the Isles became their target. It was in the Lordship’s best interest to make Robert the Bruce, de facto King of Scots, by helping clear the English out of Scotland. Angus Og also opened up trade with the Earl of Orkney and Hanseatic merchants when he found that the oil of the petrels and fulmars in his lordship was highly prized by churches and was also considered to have healing properties. Captured English merchant vessels helped with its transport. A very interesting individual and book. ( )