In 1221/1222, Alexander II, King of Scotland oversaw a series of invasions into Argyll in which Scottish royal authority penetrated into Kintyre.

The fact that Ruaidhrí is not recorded in the subsequent Norwegian campaign could be evidence that he had occupied himself in supporting the near-concurrent Meic Uilleim rebellion, or that he resented the prospect of Óspakr-Hákon's overlordship.

Ruaidhrí seems to be identical to a certain Mac Somhairle who was slain in battle assisting Maol Seachlainn Ó Domhnaill, King of Tír Chonaill resist an English invasion.

Although the thirteenth- to fourteenth-century Chronicle of Mann reports that Dubhghall was the senior dynast in the 1150s, this man's next and last attestation, preserved by the Durham Liber vitae, fails to accord him a royal title.

[49] In the mid twelfth century, Somhairle confronted Ragnhildr's brother, Guðrøðr Óláfsson, King of the Isles, and wrested the kingship from him.

[57] The half-brother's father-in-law, therefore, may well have been either Raghnall,[58] or Ruaidhrí[52]—both of whom appear to have been styled "Lord of Kintyre" in contemporary sources[59]—or possibly even Domhnall.

[85] As a result of this aggressive projection of royal authority, Alexander seems to have gained the pacification of Kintyre,[86] Knapdale,[87] Cowal,[86] and the islands of the Firth of Clyde.

[96] One possibility is that this particular action concerned the disruption of Clann Somhairle assistance to Irish kindreds opposed to English interests in Ireland.

[97] There is reason to suspect that Alexander's campaign resulted in a local regime change, with Ruaidhrí being replaced by Domhnall in Kintyre.

[63] According to Gesta Annalia I, upon the conclusion of the Scottish campaign, some of the men of Argyll offered Alexander money and hostages for a grant of peace.

[103] Another beneficiary of Ruaidhrí's apparent ousting may have been Donnchadh mac Dubhghaill,[105] who seems to have become the principal member of Clann Somhairle at about this time.

[106] Since the majority of Ruaidhrí's territories appear to have been mainland possessions, it is very likely that Alexander regarded this alliance and apparent reunification of the Isles as a threat to his own claims of overlordship of Argyll.

The latter was an emerging magnate closely linked to the Scottish Crown,[108] and it is likely that Óláfr's realignment with such a figure was influenced by the concurrent campaign against Ruaidhrí,[109] and was perhaps intended by the Scots to further destabilise the Isles.

[115] Whilst this source is echoed by Scotichronicon,[116] the wording of the version of events preserved by the fourteenth-century Chronicle of Lanercost seems to isolate Roderick from being a member of the Meic Uilleim.

[117] The fact that Gesta Annalia I is a more contemporary source suggests that it's identification of Roderick as a member of the Meic Uilleim may be more accurate than the less than unambiguous wording of the Chronicle of Lanercost.

[124] Although it is possible that Ruaidhrí controlled the lands that made up Garmoran[127] and various islands in the Hebrides,[128] there is uncertainty as to how and when these territories entered into the possession of his family.

In fact, it is apparent that Alan fitz Roland and members of Clann Dubhghaill upheld pressure upon the recently inaugurated Óláfr.

[143] Although Óláfr arrived at the Norwegian court early the next year, having been forced from the Isles by Alan fitz Roland and his allies, it is evident that Hákon had already decided upon a course of action.

[145] Having arrived in the Isles not long afterwards, Hákonar saga Hákonarsonar reports that Óspakr-Hákon's fleet linked forces with other leading members of Clann Dubhghaill at Islay.

Instead, Hákon seems to have planned for Óspakr-Hákon to reign over the sprawling domain of Clann Somhairle in an attempt to ensure this kindred's obedience.

[159] Domhnall's absence, on the other hand, could relate to the fact that he seems to have come to an accommodation with the Scottish Crown in the wake of Ruaidhrí's expulsion, and to have owed his lordship in Kintyre to Alexander.

[63] Whatever the case, Óspakr-Hákon's fleet afterwards entered the Firth of Clyde, and made landfall on Bute, where his forces successfully stormed and captured the island's fortress, a stronghold that is almost certainly identical to Rothesay Castle.

[151] The castle itself was a holding of Walter fitz Alan II, and the attack upon it seems to evince the anxiety felt by Clann Somhairle in the face of the steward's steadily increasing regional influence.

For example, the northern Hebridean islands of Lewis and Harris and Skye appear to have been held by the Crovan dynasty, then represented by Óláfr's succeeding son, Haraldr Óláfsson, King of the Isles.

[189] This could indicate that Walter Bisset's Ulster-based actions in Kintyre were undertaken as a means to divide the Isles, isolating Mann from the Hebrides.

[197][note 9] At the time of his demise, Mac Somhairle was supporting the cause of Maol Seachlainn Ó Domhnaill, King of Tír Chonaill, who was attempting to halt to expansion of the English when his forces were crushed by Maurice fitz Gerald, Lord of Offaly at Ballyshannon.

[198] Not only did Mac Somhairle lose his life in the affair, so too did Maol Seachlainn and the latter's principal underking, An Giolla Muinealach Ó Baoighill.

[199] At the time of his fall, Mac Somhairle would have undoubtedly commanded a force of fighting men—known later in the century as gallowglasses—and could have either lent military assistance to the Uí Domhnaill voluntarily, or else marketed such services to the kindred as a mercenary.

[200] About a decade after Mac Somhairle's death, Ruaidhrí's son, Dubhghall—also named Mac Somhairle by various Irish annals—is recorded to have fought the English in Connacht,[201] and to have contracted a marital alliance with Aodh na nGall Ó Conchobhair, who thereby received a tocher that included one hundred and sixty gallowglass warriors commanded by Ruaidhrí's younger son, Ailéan.