Indeed, the MacAskill fortunes have been closely linked to the MacLeods of Dunvegan even before Norse rule ended in 1266. Dunvegan Castle is the ancestral home of the MacLeod of MacLeod, Chieftain of the MacLeod Clan. It is said that it took a thousand Viking longboats to transport his troops. At the battle of Stamford Bridge, the vikings formed the traditional shield wall which made a full circle. Harold, King of England, was a much smaller man than his Norwegian rival for the throne, nevertheless he led the charge against the shield wall.
Men fight hardest when they defend their native land.
If the Norsemen won, they would ravage England from coast to coast. Nobody would be safe. Harald Hardrada, standing beneath Land-Waster, fought on long after the shield wall had been broken, but in the end he died his throat pierced by an arrow. A blood stained cloth was flung over his face so he could not witness the defeat of his army. The English were not victorious a few weeks later, when they had to meet the Normans at Hastings.