Iain Borb MacLeod

Iain Borb MacLeod
Arms of MacLeod of Harris and Dunvegan, dating to the tenure of Iain Borb's chiefship.
Born	1392
Died	1442 Pabbay, Harris
Cause of death	Accidentally bled to death
Resting place	Iona
Predecessor	William Cleireach (father)
Successor	William Dubh (second son)
Spouse(s)	Margaret, grddau. of the Earl of Douglas
Children	2 sons, 2 daughters.

Iain Borb MacLeod (Scottish Gaelic: Iain Borb MacLeòid; Anglicised as: John "the Turbulent" MacLeod) (1392–1442) is considered to be the sixth chief of Clan MacLeod. He is the first MacLeod chief to which heraldry can be assigned. Clan tradition states that he was a minor at the time of his father's death and for six years an incompetent guardian led the clan to its lowest point in clan history. After reaching the age of maturity, Iain Borb managed to acquire some of the clan's lost lands and led his clan and his kinsmen (the MacLeods of Lewis) in the Battle of Harlaw, in 1411. Iain Borb was wounded in the head during the conflict; the wound never completely healed and confined him to his home on Pabbay for much of his life. Tradition states that he died when this wound re-opened during a fencing/wrestling match. There is some disagreement as to which of his son's were the eldest; however, his son William Dubh was the one who finally succeeded to the chiefship, following his death in 1442.

Iain Borb was the son, and successor of William Cleireach, fifth chief of Clan MacLeod. According to the Bannatyne manuscript, he was only ten years old at the time of his father's death. The manuscript relates how during his minority a guardian was chosen to lead the clan. This man's name was Iain Mishealbhach ('John the Unlucky') who was a cousin of the young Iain Borb. During Iain Mishealbhach's tenure as guardian, the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan were at their lowest point in their history. Many of the clan opposed the selection of Iain Mishealbhach, favouring instead Tormod Coil who slew Alastair Cannoch at the Battle of Sligachan. Tormod Coil defied the guardian and seized part of the lands of Glenelg.