 Along the way he surprised a party of Rosses who were carrying provisions to Eilean Donan Castle.Macaulay and his followers then arrived at the castle, passing as the Rosses with provisions, and re-took the castle.Macaulay prepared for a long siege and sent word that he would hang his prisoner, the Laird of Balnagowan, unless his master, Mackenzie, was set free—and so Mackenzie was freed in exchange for Ross of Balnagowan.