Sir Roderick went to Ireland with 500 of his clan to assist Hugh Roe O'Donnell's war against the English.

The two clans had fought together in Ireland and had now become enemies when for some reason MacDonald rejected his wife, Sir Roderick's sister, and became very hostile towards his old allies.

After a year of feuding, the two clans finally met in the Battle of Coire Na Creiche and the MacLeods were defeated.

In December 1597, an act of the Estates was passed that required that all the Chieftains and Landlords of the Highlands and the Western Isles to produce their title-deeds under pain of forfeiture.

After these attempts were dealt with, he was ultimately successful in getting a remission from King James VI of Scotland dated 4 May 1610 for his lands of Harris, Dunvegan, and Glenelg.