It is generally held that Leod was the younger son of Olaf the Black, one of the last Norse Kings of the North Isles. When Olaf died around 1237, it was Leod who inherited the Islands of Lewis and Harris, off the North West Coast of the Scottish Highlands.
The Clan consists of two main branches, MacLeod of Lewis and MacLeod of Harris, coming, respectively, from Leod’s two sons, Tormod and Torquil.
Tormod’s grandson Malcolm was awarded a charter of Glenelg territory by David II of Scotland and by marriage acquired the clan’s foothold in Skye. His son supported Robert the Bruce in the War of Independence. Harris was held by the MacLeods as vassals to Clan Donald until the title Lords of the Isles was forfeited. Thereafter, the MacLeods sided with the MacLeans against the MacDonalds. At Worcester in 1651 the clan lost so many men in the service of Charles II that the other clans agreed to exonerate them from further conflicts.
The Clan of Torquil became, from quite early on, powerful enough to dispute the superiority of the Harris branch of the clan and achieved independent status. Important branches were the MacLeods of Raasay and the MacLeods of Assynt. They moved to the Portree corner of Skye after Lewis MacLeod married the heiress of the then independent clan MacNicol.
The fairy flag of Dunvegan is a treasured relic. The flag is said to have magical properties and it is unclear how it came into the possession of the clan. It is said to have been woven by fairies to be used by the clan chief in times of desperate need and it is claimed to have been prevailed upon to turn defeat into victory at least twice.
Dunvegan Castle, which was renovated and remodelled during the Victorian era, is situated at the head of Loch Bracadale on the west coast of Skye and is the oldest inhabited mansion in Scotland.
An active clan society promotes the fellowship of clansmen throughout the world.
