Clan Donald

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File:Donald Crest.gif
The Donald Clan Crest. Motto:Air Muir 's Air Tir (By Sea and by Land)
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Clan MacDonald 'Hunting Modern' Tartan

Clan Donald was one of the largest Scottish clans, unique in that it had several branches in multiple territories. Most other clans had only a single territory, with few having a second branch. The MacDonalds had many separate branches:

These are the Clan Donald branches with extant chiefs, including the main Clan Donald followed by their Gaelic patronymics:

These are the other branches of the Clan Donald without extant chiefs:


History

Origins of the Clan

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Clan MacDonald 'Ancient' Tartan

Like the Clan MacDougall, the MacDonalds trace their ancestry to King Somerled of the Isles. The MacDougalls descend from Somerled's eldest son Dugall. King Somerled's second son was called Ranald who was the the founder of the Clan MacDonald of Clan Ranald branch. Ranald had a son called Donald who was the founder of what would become the main Clan Donald. Somerled was killed fighting King Malcolm IV of Scotland in 1164.

Clan MacDonald or Donald is one of the oldest, one of the largest and probably the most famous of all Highland Scottish clans. The clan's Celtic history dates back beyond the 6th century AD to the great clans of the country which is now known as Ireland.

As well as having Irish ancestry the MacDonalds also have Swedish and Norwegian ancestry. All of these blood lines came together in Scotland in the 12th century to form the Scottish clan MacDonald or Donald. A man known as 'Somerled MacGillebride MacGillamnam' was the founder of what was then called the Clan Domhnaill in the 12th century. These ancient MacDonald ancestors are regarded as the heads of the ancient race of 'Conn' and the lineal Kings of Dalriadic Scotland.

Scottish-Norwegian War

The MacDonalds had always supported Norway however this alliance broke when the Norwegians were defeated at the Battle of Largs in 1263 by the Scottish forces. Norway's King Haakon was defeated and his fleet was wrecked by the skilled maneuvers of King Alexander III of Scotland. Three years later the Norwegians submitted their last islands to the Scottish crown. Angus MacDonald the son of Donald then made peace with King Alexander III of Scotland.

Wars of Scottish Independence

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Donald , Lord of the Isles

In the 14th century during the Wars of Scottish Independence the MacDonalds fought with Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. It was Donald's great grandson, Angus Og who was the 6th Lord of the Isles who sheltered King Robert the Bruce. Angus led a small band of Islesmen at the Battle of Bannockburn. In recognition of Clan Donalds support King Robert the Bruce proclaimed that Clan Donald would always occupy the honored position on the right wing of the Scottish army.

Lord of the Isles begins

The clan takes its name 'Donald' from the first name of the 1st Lord of the Isles who was the grandson of King Somerled who lived until 1269. Donald's son was the original 'Mac' which means 'son of'. It was Donald's great grandson, Angus Og who was the 6th Lord of the Isles who sheltered King Robert the Bruce. In recognition of Clan Donalds support King Robert the Bruce proclaimed that Clan Donald would always occupy the honored position on the right wing of the Scottish army.

In 1380 the Clan MacLean, Clan MacLeod and Clan MacKinnon were together all defeated in battle by Donald Macdonald, Lord of the Isles, who vindicated his right as Lord of the Isles.

15th Century

Earldom of Ross

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Clan MacDonald 'Hunting Ancient' Tartan

The title and territory of the Earl of Ross had originally been held by the Chief of Clan Ross. However Angus Og's grandson called Donald married the first female heiress of the Earl of Ross. He later successfully claimed the position of Earl of Ross through marriage. This was secured by the Battle of Harlaw on 24th July 1411 where most of the highland clans supported Donald in preventing the Duke of Albany and his army of Scottish Lowlanders from claiming the position for himself. However the Earldom of Ross was lost in 1471 when it went to the House of Stuart.

Clan Conflicts

  • In 1411 prior to the Battle of Harlaw The Clan Donald defeat the Clan MacKay at the Battle of Dingwell. The MacKays then submitted to MacDonald.
  • The Battle of Split Allegiances 1429, This conflict was between forces led by Alexander MacDonald, 3rd Lord of the Isles, who was in pursuance of his claim to the Earldom of Ross and the Royalist army of King James I. It is believed is that Donald Dubh, XI Captain and Chief of Clan Cameron, rose in support of the Lord of the Isles, and that Cameron clansmen joined a "large force" (recorded as being 10,000 men) in sacking the town of Inverness and surrounding crown lands. On the return of their army to Lochaber they were intercepted by King James I with his large army. Donald Dubh, finding himself opposed to his Sovereign, led his men in deserting the Lord of the Isles and joined forces with the King. The Clan MacKintosh is also said to have done likewise and the Lord of the Isles army was defeated/sued for peace, with Alexander submitting to the King and being imprisoned afterwards.
  • Battle of Blar-na-Pairc, 1477. The Lord of the Isles had resigned the Earldom of Ross into the Kings hands. After this the province was continually molested with incursions by the Islanders into the Clan MacKenzie territory. A MacDonald cousin called Gillespick MacDonald invaded the MacKenzie country with great hostility. The MacKenzies assembled their army and met the invading Islanders by the River of Conon, about two miles from Brayle, where there ensued a sharp and cruel skirmish. The Clan MacKenzie fought so hard and pressed the enemy so, that in the end the outnumbered Gillespick MacDonald was overthrown and most of his men slain or drowned in the river of Conon.
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Clan MacDonald 'Modern' Tartan
  • The Battle of Bloody Bay 1480. When William Dubh MacLeod was killed (or taken prisoner) supporting John MacDonald against his bastard son Angus Og Macdonald the flag was also said to have been unfurled in the Battle of Badh na Fola - the Battle of Bloody Bay. According to MacDonald chronicles William was taken prisoner by Angus Og and Allan Moidertach but had been so severely wounded that he died on his way back to Dunvegan. It is said by the Seanachie of Sleat that Ronald Bain, son of Allan the laird of Moidart seized MacLeod's galley but an Irishman prevented it from being steered away by thrusting the blade of an oar below the stern post of the galley between it and the rudder. As already mentioned the flag was guarded by a dozen warriors and one after another they were slain. There is a special account of one of them - Murchadh Breac (Murdo the pock-marked) who was struck by a spear and collapsed on deck of the galley but kept holding the flag up by sticking its pole into the gaping hole of his body until he was relieved of his charge by a comrade. On account of the Seanachie of MacDonald William Dubh was taken prisoner by Allan Moidertach and Angus Og. After the Battle of Bloody Bay the MacDonalds raided Skye on behalf of Clan Leod's part supporting John MacDonald against Angus Og. William Dubh must have been prisoner then as his son Alasdair was not yet chief of the clan when he withstood the raging MacDonalds and was severely wounded between the shoulders by a battleaxe from which he never really recovered. Thence he was hunchbacked and so comes his name Alasdair Crotach.
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Clan MacDonald 'Muted' Tartan
  • The Battle of Skibo and Strathfleet around 1480. MacDonald of the Isles, accompanied by about five or six hundred of his clan, came into Sutherland and camped by the Castle of Skibo, whereupon Neil Murray (son or grandson to Angus Murray, slain at Druimnacoub) was sent by John, Earl of Sutherland, to resist them, in case they harmed the inhabitants. Neil Murray, believing that the MacDonalds would go about spoiling the country, attacked the MacDonalds by Skibo and killed one of their chieftains, Donald Dow MacDonald, along with fifty others. MacDonald, with the rest of his company, escaped back into their own country. Shortly thereafter another company of MacDonald's came to Strathfleet in Sutherland and spoiled that part of the country in revenge for the death of their chieftain. However Robert Sutherland (John, Earl of Sutherland's brother), assembled an army and attacked them upon the sands of Strathfleet. After a sharp and cruel skirmish, MacDonald's men were defeated.
  • By 1495 the Lordship of the Isles was revoked from the MacDonalds and anarchy and violence swept into the Highlands as the Clan Campbell, Clan Gordon and others tore off strips of the MacDonald's land for themselves.
  • Drumchatt 1497. In 1495 King James assembled an army at Glasgow. Then on May 18th many of the Highland Chiefs made their submissions to him, including the Clan MacKenzie and the Clan Munro Chiefs. Soon after this Alexander MacDonald of Lochalsh and his clan rebelled against the King. He invaded the fertile lands of Ross-shire where he was defeated in battle and driven away by the Munros and MacKenzies at a place called Drumchatt. He escaped southward amongst the Isles but was caught on the island of Oransay by MacIian of Ardnamurchan and put to death.

16th Century

Lord of the Isles ends

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Clan MacDonald 'Weathered' Tartan
  • The position of Lord of the Isles which the MacDonald chief had held since the 13th century had been revoked in 1495. However the MacDonalds remained a powerful clan and retained much of their lands until much violence broke out in the middle of the 16th century.

Clan Conflicts

  • Battle of the Spoiling Dyke 1578. The MacDonalds of Uist barred the doors of Trumpan Church, or Kilconan Church as it was once known, east of the shores of Ardmore Bay. They then set fire to the church full of worshipers. No one escaped alive except one girl who, although mortally wounded, managed to give the alarm. On hearing the news, the Chief of Clan MacLeod and his men set off for Ardmore bay where a battle ensued. The MacDonalds were killed almost to a man. The corpses of the MacDonalds were dragged and then buried in a turf dyke, and the incident remembered as the "Battle of the Spoiling Dyke". The atrocity by the MacDonalds was to exact vengeance on the MacLeods for their atrocity of the massacre of MacDonalds in cave on the island of Eigg a couple of years earlier. This again was a tit-for-tat revenge between the two feuding clans.
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Clan MacDonald of Sleat Tartan
  • The Battle of the Western Isles 1586 was fought between Clan Donald and the Clan MacLean. Donald Gorme of the Clan MacDonald of Sleat was travelling from the Isle of Skye to visit his cousin, Angus MacDonald of Kintyre. He landed with his company on an island called Jura or Duray, which partly belonged to MacLean and partly to Angus MacDonald, and by chance he landed in a part of the island belonging to MacLean. Two outlaws, MacDonald Herrach and Hutcheon Madgillespick, who had fallen out with Donald Gorme MacDonald, arrived also with a company of men. Understanding that Donald Gorme was there, they secretly took away, by night, a number of cattle out of that part of the island which appertaineth to MacLean. So they retire again to the sea, thereby thinking to raise a tumult against Donald Gorme by making the Clan MacLean believe that this was done by Donald Gorme MacDonald's men, who, lying at a place called Inver-knock-bhric, were suddenly invaded unawares under silence of the night neither suspecting or expecting any such matter by Sir Lauchlan MacLean and the entire Clan MacLean. The MacLeans killed more than 60 of the Clan MacDonalds that night. Donald Gorme MacDonald escaped in a ship that lay in the harbour. Angus MacDonald of Kintyre, hearing of accident and falling out between his brother-in-law, MacLean (whose sister he had married) and his cousin, Donald Gorme MacDonald, travelled Skye to visit Donald Gorme MacDonald and to see by what means he could work a reconciliation between him and MacLean for the slaughter of Donald Gorme MacDonald's men at Inverknock-bhric. After a lot of political arguing, the two sides were made to make peace by the King.
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Clan MacDonnell of Glengarry 'Ancient' Tartan
  • The Battle of the Isle of Isla 1598. Sir Lauchlan MacLean laid claim to the whole Isle of Isla. However it had always been the ancient inheritance of the Clan Donald, at this time under Sir James MacDonald. Sir Lauchlan MacLean, actually James MacDonald's uncle, assembled his whole force and invaded the Isle of Isla. James being reasonable peacfully offered his uncle half of the Island for the MacLeans to own for Lauchlan's lifetime only. However Lauchlan MacLean refused all offers of peace unless his nephew gave him the entire Island. A cruel battle took place. James MacDonald's men were far inferior in number but had been trained well. The MacDonalds retreated so as to fight with the sun on their backs. The MacDonalds were eventually victorious and the MacLeans were defeated. Sir Lauchlan MacLean and about 280 of his men were killed, the rest chased to their boats. James MacDonald was seriously wounded after being shot through the body with an arrow; he was found after the battle amongst 30 dead MacDonalds. This brought an end to the feud between the MacDonalds and Clan MacLean. However afterwards the King, not liking the MacDonalds, gave much of the land to Clan Campbell, later leading to a further feud.

17th Century & The Civil War

  • The Battle of Siol Tormoit in 1601. Donald Gorm of the Clan MacDonald of Sleat had married the sister of Sir Rory MacLeod of the Harris. For some reason Donald Gorm MacDonald did not like his wife. Sir Rory MacLeod sent a message to Donald Gorm MacDonald, asking him to return his sister. Donald Gorm not only refused to obey this request, but also divorced her, marrying instead the sister of Kenneth MacKenzie, Laird of Kintail. Sir Rory MacLeod took this disgrace (as he thought it) so highly that he assembled his men and invaded part of Donald Gorm MacDonald's lands in the Isle of Skye, which lands Sir Rory MacLeod claimed to be his. Donald Gorm MacDonald then assembled his forces and invaded MacLeod's lands of Harris, which he wasted and spoiled, carrying away their store and bestial and killing some of the inhabitants. Rory MacLeod and his men traveled to the Siol Tormoit, Isle of Uist (then Donald Gorm MacDonald's), sent his cousin, Donald Glas MacLeod, with some 40 men to spoil the island, and took much goods preserved in a church. John Macian-MacJames (a kinsman of Donald Gorm MacDonald), accompanied by 20 others, encountered Donald Glas MacLeod. After a sharp skirmish, they killed Donald Glas MacLeod and most of his company, rescuing the goods. Sir Rory, seeing the bad success of his men, retired home. Both sides continued to steal and slaughter. In end, Donald Gorm MacDonald assembled his whole force in the year of 1601 and invaded Sir Rory MacLeod's lands, drawing them into a fight. Sir Rory MacLeod was then in Argyle looking for advice from the Earl of Argyll against the Clan MacDonald. Alexander MacLeod (Sir Rory's brother) resolved to fight Donald Gorm MacDonald, even though his brother was absent. The battle lasted most of the day, both contending for victory with great obstinacy. The Clan MacDonald, in the end, defeated their enemies, taking Alexander MacLeod. The two side later made peace, and Alexander MacLeod was released.
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Clan MacDonald 'Dress' Tartan
  • Variance 1602. A feud between Lord Kintail MacKenzie and the MacDonald's Laird of the Clan MacDonnell of Glengarry led to the MacDonalds being attacked by the MacKenzies. A few MacDonalds were killed at Variance. The MacKenzies wanted the MacDonald Laird of Glengarry to appear before the Justice court at Edinburgh for previous crimes against them. Meanwhile two more MacDonalds were killed. Glengarry MacDonald did not appear in court on the arranged date but went about his own hand to revenge the slaughter of his clansmen. As he did not appear in court the MacKenzies wasted the MacDonald country of Morar. The two sides met and a battle took place with great slaughter on both sides. After this they came to an agreement to obtain peace where Glengarry MacDonald was glad to requite and renounce to the Lord MacKenzie of Kintail, and give him the inheritance of the lands of Strome.
  • The Battle of Mulroy 1668, Clan Cameron and Clan MacKintosh were at peace and Cameron Chief Sir Ewen was responsible for keeping the peace between his men and their former enemies. However when the Chief Sir Ewen Cameron was away in London a feud broker out between Clan Donald and their enemies Clan MacKintosh and Clan MacKenzie. As the Cameron Chief was away he was not able to hold back his clan and the combined forces of Cameron and MacDonald defeated the MacKintoshes and MacKenzies.
  • In 1692, 38 unarmed MacDonalds from the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were murdered in the Massacre of Glencoe when an initiative to suppress Jacobitism was entangled in the long running feud between Clan MacDonald and Clan Campbell. The slaughter of the host MacDonalds at the hands of their Campbell guests was a major affront to Scottish Law and Highland tradition.

18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings

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Clan MacDonald 'Dress Muted' Tartan
  • Battle of Sheriffmuir 1715. During the initial early Jacobite Uprisings the British Government forces, including some units drawn from Clan Campbell fought against the Jacobite rebels, made up, amongst others, of the men of Clan Donald who were under MacDonald of Keppoch. However there were in fact some Campbells who took the Jacobites's side, led by the son of Campbell of Glenlyon whose father had commanded the government troops at the Massacre of Glencoe 22 years earlier. The two young men buried the hatchet and swore to be brothers in arms, fighting side by side in the Battle of Sheriffmuir. The British forces defeated the Jacobites.
  • The Clan MacDonald of Sleat branch did not take part in the Jacobite Uprisings therefore the Sleat possessions remained intact.

MacDonald's Castles

Castles that have been in possession of the MacDonalds over the centuries have included:

  • Dunaverty Castle was once a MacDonald stronghold. During the Civil War it was besieged in 1647 by Scottish supporters of Oliver Cromwell who were led by General David Leslie from Clan Leslie. The MacDonalds surrendered and then 300 of them were massacred. The castle is nothing more than a ruin now, known as Blood Rock the incident is known as the Dunaverty Massacre
  • Claig Castle on the south west coast of the Isle of Jura was a Clan MacDonald coast and sea fortress but now lies in ruin.
  • Castle Tioram was the seat of the Clan MacDonald of Clan Ranald branch of Clan Donald. Castle Tioram was seized by Government forces around 1692 when Clan Chief Allan of Clanranald joined the Jacobite Court in France, despite having sworn allegiance to the British Crown. A small garrison was stationed in the Castle until the Jacobite Uprising of 1715 when Allan Macdonald recaptured and torched the castle, purportedly to keep it out of the hands of the government forces. It has been unoccupied since that time, although there are some accounts suggesting it was partially inhabitated thereafter including storage of firearms from the De Tuillay in the 1745 Jacobite Uprising and Lady Grange's account of her kidnapping.
  • Knock Castle also known as Caisteal Camus or Dun Horavaig is today a ruin. It is on the east coast of Sleat on the Isle of Skye, on the eastern side of Knock bay. The castle was originally owned by the Clan MacLeod until the 15th century when it was captured during an attack on sleat by the Clan MacDonald along with the Castle Dun Sgathaich. Later in 1431 it was taken by the Royal forces during the struggles between King James I of Scotland and MacDonald Lord of the Isles. The castle was later besieged by Alistair MacLeod who had already taken Castle Dun Sgathaich however MacLeod had to withdraw.
  • Duntulm Castle was a Macdonald stronghold used in the 16th century in an attempt to control Hebridean clans. A few miles south is the community of Kilmuir and just before it is a cemetery where Flora MacDonald lies buried.
  • Armadale Castle is the current seat of Clan MacDonald. It was built in 1825. There is also a MacDonald Clan centre at the castle for the public to visit.

Clan Chief

The current chief of Clan Donald is the Right Honourable Godfrey James Macdonald of Macdonald, 8th Lord Macdonald, Chief of the Name and Arms of Macdonald, High Chief of Clan Donald and 34th hereditary Chief of Clan Donald. He descends directly from the ancient Kings and Lords of the Isles.

Clan Profile

  • Gaelic Name: MacDhomhnuill.
  • Motto: Per mare per terras (By sea and by land).
  • Plant Badge: Heather.
  • Lands: The Western Isles.
  • Origin of Name: Gaelic, Domhnull (World ruler).

Septs of Clan Donald

  • Septs of Clan Donald include the following. Other branches of Clan Macdonald have different septs.

Beath, Beaton, Bethune, Bowie, Colson, Connall, Connell, Darroch, Donald, Donaldson, Donillson, Donnelson, Drain, Galbraith, Gilbride, Gorrie, Gowan, Gowrie, Hawthorn, Hewison, Houstoun, Howison, Hughson, Hutcheonson, Hutchinson, Hutchison, Isles, Kellie, Kelly, Kinnell, Mac a' Challies, MacBeth, MacBeath, MacBheath, MacBride, MacCaishe, MacCall, MacCash, MacCeallaich, MacCodrum, MacColl, MacConnell, MacCook, MacCooish, MacCrain, MacCuag, MacCuish, MacCuitein, MacCutcheon, MacDaniell, Macdrain, MacEachern, MacElfrish, MacElheran, MacGorrie, MacGorry, MacGoun, MacGowan, MacGown, MacHugh, MacHutchen, MacHutcheon, MacIan, Macilreach, Macilriach, Macilleriach, Macilrevie, Macilvride, Macilwraith, MacKean, MacKellachie, MacKellaig, MacKelloch, MacKiggan, MacKinnell, MacLairish, MacLardie, MacLardy, MacLarty, MacLaverty, MacLeverty, MacMurchie, MacMurdo, MacMurdoch, MacO'Shannaig, MacQuistan, MacQuisten, MacRaith, MacRorie, MacRory, MacRuer, MacRurie(MacRury- Contester of the Lord of the Isles), MacShannachan, MacSorley, MacSporran, MacSwan, MacWhannell, Martin, May, Murchie, Murchison, Murdoch, Murdoson, O'Drain, O'May, O'Shannachan, O'Shaig, O'Shannaig, Patton, Purcell, Revie, Reoch, Riach, Rorison, Shannon, Sorley, Sporran, Train, Whannel.

See also

External links

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