He was the son of Aonghas Óg, chief of Clan Donald (Clann Domhnaill), and claimant to the Lordship of the Isles, which had been held by his grandfather John of Islay, Earl of Ross (Eoin MacDomhnaill).
While just an infant, Domhnall Dubh was captured by Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll and imprisoned in Innischonnel Castle in Loch Awe.
Torcall was looking for a way to resist the power of his enemy Alexander Gordon, the earl of Huntly, who was acting as the king's lieutenant.
Moreover, the king prepared to deliver Eoin, now a semi-retired courtier, back to the lordship[clarification needed] in order to counter the effect of the presence of Domhnall Dubh.
The revolt continued until 1506, by which time Lachlan MacGill'Eain had been detached from the cause, and Huntly's forces were able to isolate Torcall and Domhnall in the Outer Hebrides.