According to Alexander MacRae, in History of the Clan MacRae with Genealogies (pp. 81, 326-30), Murdoch MacRae was an under factor to Kenneth Mackenzie, Lord Fortrose, and father to Kintail poet Ian Mac Mhurachaid. His hanging was allegedly a matter of personal and opportunistic revenge, carried out in retalation for MacRae's actions in service of Seaforth. Also see Charles Fraser-Mackintosh, Antiquarian Notes: A Series of Papers Regarding Families and Places in the Highlands, 2nd ed. (Stirling: Eneas MacKay, 1913), pp. 218-222.