MacDonald Clan,
Modern Colours

CLAN MACDONALD

Long the mightiest of all the clans, Clan Donald sprang from Donald, grandson of Somerled King of the Isles and Lord of Argyll and Kintyre.

In the fourteenth century the MacDonalds, who assumed the style of Lord of the Isles, held in the South Isles and part of the North Isles. Good John of Islay is reckoned first Lord of the Isles from 1354. From his first marriage to the heiress to the MacRuaris held in the Outer Isles and Garmoran, including Moidart, Knoydart and Morvern. The inheritance he passed to his elder son Ranald, to be held under the suzerainty of his younger son Donald, the son of his second marriage to Margaret, daughter of King Robert II. Donald he appointed Lord of the Isles and High Chief of Clan Donald.

From Donalds younger brother, Iain Mor the Tanist, who married the heiress of the Bissets from the Glens of Antrim.

From Ranald sprang the MacDonalds of Clanranald with their younger branch the McDonnells of Glengarry. In the late seventeenth century High MacDonald of Sleat in Skye was recognised by the Privy Council as Laird of MacDonald.

After the Jacobite Rising of 1715 the Barony of Sleat was forfeited. In 1766 however, Sir Alexander MacDonald of Sleat was created Baron MacDonald of Slate in the Peerage of Ireland. In 1947 the present Lord MacDonalds father was recognised as High Chief of Clan Donald.

For further information get yur copy of "Your Clan Heritage - Clan MacDonald", available for sale from the Clan Shop, price £3.50.