Some of the clans were noted for their ships and "navy", Clan Campbell had numerous longboats of different sizes, many of these were leased to the king for certains periods of time to supplement their fleets. (See "History of Clan Campbell", Vol I by Alaistair Campbell) I would also presume Clan McDonald was noted for their ships, one of the symbols on their clan badge is a longboat.

The reliance on longboats by some of the clans is not very well documented, but with the some of the clans scattered out over the islands, it would seem reasonable that longboats were a common mode of transportation.

Can any of you historians shed any light on the longboats?