On their arrival there, they discovered that their galleys had been taken possession of by the MacAskills, who had them moored some distance out to sea. Seeing that escape was now impossible the fled hither an thither in utter dispair, only to be cut to pieces by their relentless foes. It is said that not a soul of them escaped that day of carnage and, according to the MS, History of the MacLeods of Dunvegan , the heads of the slain were collected, numbered, and dispatched as trophies to be retained in the custody of of the warder of Dunvegan castle. The MacAskills of Rubh an Dunain and their offshoot of Bracadale occupy a position of high distinction in the military history of Skye. Mention is often made about the exploits of a member of this famous family, one William MacAskill, who played such a prominent role in the discomfiture of the forces of the Lord of the Isles at the Battle of Sligachan, early in the sixteenth century.
Tradition credits the clan with men of phenominal physique and extra-ordinary strength.
Many members of the family served the country, both in the Army and the Navy, and several are known to fame. He died in 1815. Another clansman who had a distinguished military career was Major-General Sir John MacAskill. He entered the service of the East India Company and took part in the fighting in India in the early years of the 18th century. After the massacre of General Elphinstone and his army by hostile Afghan tribes in 1841 and when Sir Robert Sale was dangerously beleagured in Jellalabad, General MacAskill, as second in command to General Pollock, led the relieving army and tendered distinguished service in that brilliant piece of campaigning.