He was the principal supporter of Domhnall Dubh, last claimant to the lordship of the Isles, in the insurrection of 1501.
Torquil continued to keep Domhnall Dubh under his protection at his stronghold of Stornoway Castle and in 1506 his lands were forfeited by order of James IV.
In 1506 the Castle and Domhnall Dubh were ultimately captured by the Earl of Huntly.
[1] In 1511 Torquil's younger brother Malcom re-acquired the forfeited ancestral lands of Lewis.
After his death, Torquil’s son and heir John regained his father’s land for a time.