ORIGINS OF CLAN DONALD

Clan Donald tradition traces it roots deep into the first century AD to the High Kings of Eire (Ireland). For centuries the men of Eire thought Scotland was a mysterious land. In early times people found their way through to the Isles and over to the Highlands. The people from Northern Ireland were first to settle in Argyll, forming the Kingdom of Dalriada in about 500 AD. Before them the ancient state of Albania existed, these people lived in the north of Scotland. Controversy has long raged on their origin, known as Picts, but it is widely held these early settlers entered Scotland from the north-east. Historians record the original inhabitants as Sutherlands and Murrays who settled on the Elgin and Sutherland coasts of the Moray Firth. Sea raiders consisting of the Norsemen and the Danes also came and went.

During the year 1098 Magnus Barefoot, the King of Norway, sailed across the North Sea to re-establish his power in the Isles & Highlands of Scotland. He made an agreement with Edgar, King of Scots that he would settle for all the Islands of the west coast he could reach whilst his boats’ rudder was in a fixed position. Being unscrupulous, he then proceeded to have his boat rowed by his men and claimed not only the Isles but the peninsula that is Kintyre. New settlers were Norwegian and the Danes. Political moves and minor wars made Scotland ripe for the “Clan System” to be introduced. These clans generally were confined to districts, restricted often by the configuration of the country. From that district a clan would consist of a Chief and those related by blood. The origins of the clans were varied. Some sprang from the early settlers of Dalriada, some were of Pictish descent and of course, there were the Vikings.

During the period of “the Clan system” local loyalties became pre-eminent, and there was no further authority to be looked for beyond the chief of the local family.

There can be no doubt that the clan system was admirably suited to the circumstances of the times in which it originated and, during the time it existed. It was an ideal system in so far as it recognised that land, the basis of life, was not an individual possession, but belonged to the people in common, and that each clansman was in duty bound to assist other members of the clan in time of necessity of any kind, irrespective of rank. Clansmen were very hospital to strangers who were given the best accommodation in the house, and the best food.

The history of Clan & political make up of Scotland is a very big subject.

MacDonald’s may well be proud of the name they bear as it was the oldest, most powerful and largest of the clans. It has played a part more distinguished than of any other clan in the history of Scotland. It was first started by Donald, grandson of the great Gaelic hero Somerled. A Norwegian name, meaning “Mariner”. Somerled nevertheless had a father with a Gaelic name; Gille Brighide. Somerled was born in 1102, Eire.

To extract the Norseman (Norwegian) invaders from the territory they had occupied and colonized along the north-west of Scotland and the Western Isles, Somerled first established a fleet of war ships that could out-manoeuvre the Viking long boats. They were half the length of the long boats and had a rudder in the centre instead of the Viking steer board side of the boat. (Starboard) is the right side of a boat.

Somerled is credited with inventing the rudder which is as important to sea travel as the wheel is to land.

In other respects Somerled’s boats which are called Nyvaigs where similar to the Viking galleys. He did succeed in re-gaining his ancestral lands. After defeating the Norseman, was proclaimed King of the Isles, Righ Innsegall. In 1140 Somerled married Ragnhildis daughter of Olave the Red, of King of Man and had four sons.

Dougall, Reginald, Angus and Gillicalane.

Gillicalane was slain along with his father Somerled, at the battle of Renfrew in 1164. In this battle, Somerled was leading an army sent against him by Malcolm 1V the King of Scots. After Somerleds death his considerable acquisitions were divided among his three remaining sons. The story of his descendants is very obscure, as life was still feral for all concerned. (Survival of the fittest) Reginald’s line in particular proved to be the most interesting, as his eldest son Donald is also remembered for giving his name to Clan Donald. Donald’s son was the original “Mac” (meaning “son of”).

Dhomhnuill MacDhomhnuill

During the year 1208 the sons of Reginald gave battle to the men of Skye, They were unsuccessful. In 1210 Angus, son of Somerled, having sought to establish himself in Skye, was slain with his three sons. The MacDonalds did not obtain a permanent footing in Skye until two centuries after this.

By the mid 1200’s The Clan system became established as the way of life in the Highlands, as mentioned Groups of people claiming family connections from a common ancestor and calling themselves his “children” formed a Clan; the senior member being the Chief. A Clan Chief was a feudal Lord who obtained authority through birthright and loyalty to the Scottish Crown. Food depended upon the land, and the ability of a chief to hold on to his land depended upon the number of fighting men he could raise, so mutual self-interest often led small, and therefore weak clans, to join larger ones. Sometimes such adherents took the name of dominant partner, but quite often they kept their own. Those names are known as associated clan names or, septs of the clan.

Sept is the Irish name for Clan

While all of the clans spent much energy and blood in feuds over land and heredity rights, they were basically farming communities which traded on a barter system.  The Hebrides did not become part of the Kingdom of Scotland until 1266, whenthey were ceded to the King of Scots by Magnus of Norway. (That was a big move concerning the Royal Families of Scotland & Denmark under the influence of Charles V11. of France.)

CLANN DONUILL

Eventually, Clan Donald became so powerful that its Chief was able to proclaim himself ‘Lord of the Isles’ in 1336. This little gesture raised the stiff upper lip of the King in Scotland  as they wielded power to rival the King of Scots. There were four Lords of the Isles.

John, 1336-1386. Donald, 1386-1423. Alexander, 1423-1449, a 2^nd John, 1449-1493.

Alexander Lord of the Isles granted the island of Barra to the MacNeill Clan in 1427. The 40^th chief of the Clan MacNeill sold the island in 1838. Barra was restored to MacNeill ownership in 1937.

The “Lords” of the Isles did not subjicate themselves to the Scottish Kings, they just supported or opposed the Kings as best suited their interest. They each in turn fell foul of the Scots Crown. The title “Lord of the Isles” was forfeited in 1493 due to the continuing disorder in the Isles. John, last Lord of the Isles, died in 1503.

Clan Donald was originally one Clan, Some sons of the “...Lords...” broke-away creating branches of Clan Donald. By 1493 there were eight major branches of the Clan. Each MacDonald Chief held territories and islands which made Clan Donald the most numerous and widespread of the clans, all of whom singularly distinguished themselves.

Prior to the forfeiture, the Lords of the Isles were followed not only by MacDonalds, MacDonells, MacIans, MacAlisters, Macintyres, etc., but also as vassals by the following clans, not descended from “Clan Donald,” viz, Macleans, MacLeods, Camerons, Clan Chattan, MacNeils, MacKinnons Macquarries, Macfies, MacEacherns of Killellan, MacKays of the Rhinns of Islay. After the forfeiture these clans became independent.

Following the forfeiture of the lordship, The Clan had a lot of conflict as Black Archibald proved to be the black sheep of the family, using murder to settle quarrels with-in the Clan, also with the Macleod’s of Dunvegan over land rights. However Black Archibald was murdered by his nephews Donald & Ranald Grumach; this Donald became chief of Clan Donald of Sleate in 1518.

In 1540 James 1V reserved the title of “Lord of the Isles” to the Crown. With the fall of the MacDonald dynasty in the Western Highlands and Isles, Gaelic culture fell into rapid decline. At this time anarchy and violence swept into the highlands as those feral Campbells , Gordons and others took strips of MacDonald land for themselves.

After the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689 the Glen Garry, Keppoch and Glencoe MacDonalds raided and pillaged Campbell-held Glen Lyon and helped bankrupt Robert Campbell. They took over 1,500 head of cattle, horses, sheep & goats. The Glencoe men alone took six great English mares, 208 cows, 169 sheep, 10 goats and a brown stallion. We know these figures because the Campbells later sought compensation from the Privy Council.

The Earliest Branches of Clan Donald

It is difficult in a short sketch to outline the history of the various branches of the Clan Donald, the families of which are intricately interwoven.

1. MacDougall (clann Mhic Dhughil). MacDougalls of Argyll and Lorn. Dugall was

Somerleds eldest son.

2. The MacAlisters descended from Alasdair (Alexander) younger son of Donald, Lord of Islay, from whom Clan Donald takes its name. The earliest of all off-shoots of Clan Donald. They occupied lands in Kintyre.

3. The MacDonalds (MacLain) of Ardnamurchan descended from Iain Sprangach MacAonghais younger son of Angus Mor macDonald, son and successor to Donald.

4. MacDonalds (or Macians) of Glencoe, (The Clan Mac Iain Abrach of Glencoe) descended from Iain Fraoch, brother of John, first lord of the Isles. They were a small clan, renowned cattle thieves, who preserved their independence in the natural stronghold of Glencoe.

Further Branches founded

Clan Ranald of Garmoran descended from Ranald, third son of John, first Lord of Isles and Amy, heiress of the MacRuairidhs. Castle Trioram stronghold of Clan Ranald, now in ruins but still a commanding presence.

Macdonnell of Glengarry, descended from Donald of Knoydart, the founder of the house of Glengarry.

a once commanding Macdonnell castle now in ruins.

The Glengarry cap was reputedly invented by Alasdair Ranaldson MacDonnell of Glengarry. This clan was the most widespread of the MacDonald clans.

Clan Donald of Islay

MacDonalds of Largie (Kintyre) or McDonnells of the Glens alsoknown as Clan Donald South

This Clan descended from John Mor, a son of John, First Lord of the Isles. He further increased his possessions and influence by marrying Marjory Bissett, heiress of the “Glenns” in Antrim, Ireland.

The principle clan seat was

This clan also occupied land in Kintyre. Clan Donald South emerged as the strongest Clan Donald branch until the insatiable need for land by the Campbells started their downfall.

Dunnyveg Castle now in ruins.

MacDonell of Antrim (Mac Somhairle Buidhe.) The side from Ireland

MacDonalds of Garagach &Keppoch, Descended from Alasdair Carrach, third son of John, first Lord of the Isles, by his second marriage to Margaret, daughter of Robert II. Colla Mac Gillieaspuig, who lived in the end of the seventeenth century, changed the orthography of the name to MacDonald of Keppoch.

MacDonald of Lochalsh. Descended from Celestine, Son of Alexander, third Lord of the Isles. This branch of Clan Donald was to succumb due to the political and Clan make-up at the time. Sir Donald, the last chief, died while in rebellion in 1527, leaving no male heir. Heirship passed to Glengarry MacDonald of Sleate, also known as Clan Donald North, or Clan Uisden.

The first MacDonald of Sleate was Hugh or Uisden 1449-1498, youngest son of Alexander, third Lord of the Isles. This important branch once held stretches of the mainland, the Uists, Barra and other small isles as well as the north-east and south-west parts of Skye.

MacDonald of Kingsburgh. Is remembered as a result of the romantic episode of 1746 concerning “Bonnie” Prince Charles Edward and Flora MacDonald.

Macdonalds of Staffa, Boisdale & Glenadale was a breakaway from Clanranald.

All branches of Clan Donald had Purple Heather (Ling) as their badge

Today, Clan Donald Centre is located at

The list of associated clan names and families of Clan Donald is endless.

Also it is not generally realized how recent the general use of surnames is in the Islands . As late as 1810, a rental of Lewis shows almost all the small tenants’ names in patronymic form. Most names were spelt as sounded also, the change from Gaelic to English brought about a change of spelling in names, and one example MacPhail became MacDonald. After this confusion; the spelling and the audible sounds of both christian and surnames have been standardised to what we know to-day.

THE MASSACRE AT GLENCOE

William 111 (1689-1702) had come to the throne and was beset with trouble, he was involved in a war in France, his victory in Ireland did not assure peace there, in Scotland there were many who sought to restore to the throne James 11 whom he had superseded and a larger army was thus required so new regiments were raised in England & Scotland. The loyalty to King William by some men who enlisted in the regiments was suspect and almost all of the regiments ceased to exist after a short time. The Earl of Argyll, a Campbell, was detailed for service in the Highlands to counteract what could be deemed “clans not paying their taxation.” One such clan ignoring the demand for taxes was the MacDonald Clan. Support for the return as King James 11, exiled in France was evident among many Highlanders. To neutralize this, the Scottish Privy Council demanded that all clan chiefs take an oath of Allegiance to King William. Some reluctantly did so and some were slow to acquiesce including the MacDonalds also known as MacIain. Two companies of the Earl of Argyll’s regiment, a total of 120 men under the command of Captain Robert Campbell were detailed to parley with them so they went to Glencoe and encamped alongside on 01 Feb. 1692. The matter was discussed with the chief of the MacDonalds of Glencoe but no progress had been made by February 10. This was reported. The King (William of Orange) ordered the clan to be punished. The order for the massacre was given by Major Robert Duncanson to Campbell of Glenlyon. On

story is, “it was the Kings orders.” Concurrent with the clan system was the Union of Kingdoms in 1603 in which King James V1 of Scotland also became King James 1 of England, this brought a common royal family.

was adopted as the flag of England, Wales and Scotland.

1695:- The Bank of Scotland was founded

01^st May 1707, both the Scottish and the English parliaments were united together under the Treaty of Union thus, the United Kingdom was born. A strange marriage at that time, as Civil war seemed a better bet for both the Scottish & English parliaments. BUT...life got better for all. After the Union of the Parliaments, the kilt was adopted as the symbolic clothing of all Scotland.  However, it must be noted that Prince Charles is the present Lord of the Isles. Flora MacDonald 1722 – 1790 A native of South Uist.

This remarkable woman aided the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie, The young pretender. Flora married Allan MacDonald son of old Kingsburgh, at Armadale Castle on the 06^th November 1750. Flora & her husband resided at Flodigarry until the death of old Kingsburgh, in 1772, when she became the lady of Kingsburgh house. The couple emigrated and arrived in North Carolina in 1774. In 1775 the war of Independence in America broke out, and the Governor of North Carolina commissioned Donald MacDonald, who had been an Officer in the Prince's army in 1745, to raise the 84^th or Royal Highland Emigrant Regiment, he gave Kingsburgh the rank of Captain in it. A few months later Kingsburgh was taken prisoner. This event threw Flora into deep distress. Flora returned to her brother's farm at Milton, South Uist until her husband was able to join her after he was liberated, caused by the treaty of peace in 1783. Allan and Flora passed the remainder of their lives in the old home of Kingsburgh in comfort and happiness. Flora died 05^th March 1790 ; she is buried in the churchyard of Kilmuir, Skye. Kingsburgh died 20^th September 1795.

The land of the Western Highlands and Islands is generally poor; agriculture was never easy and was concentrated on rearing stock. Small black Highland cattle (referred to as Kyloes) are natives of the Highlands and, were often seen grazing on the hillsides and plains. These were taken on annual droves for sale to the mainland rather than production of grain. The cattle were for generations a source of meat & milk for the “Crofters”. Small amounts of oats, rye and barley were grown for local consumption. The small Soay sheep during the “Clan Period” were generally poor providers of meat, although their wool was ideal for weaving tartan. Also in clan times, goats were an important part of peoples stock. One great advantage of keeping goats was, they were readily at hand for food. The glens, coasts and lower hillsides were thronged by goats both wild and farmed. The goats have a great dislike for the cold, wet and very high ground; their favourite terrain is the lower contours of the hills and particularly along the coasts, as heaps of boulders and trees caused many sea-shore caves. A heavy shower sent them scurrying for shelter.

In 1743 the potato was introduced into the Highlands by the Clanranald chief from Ireland.

Cultivation of the root spread far & wide, to become the people’s staff of life. During the 1700’s, the pattern of

The Clan system ended on the afternoon of 16^th April 1746 when the Scottish Highlanders under the command of Price Charles Edward (Bonnie Prince Charlie) were defeated by the forces of the Duke of Cumberland at the battle of Culloden. There was no longer any social prestige in having a following of armed men. Those chiefs who were still in possession of their estates were encouraged to become members of Edinburgh society, to sever their links with the clan-lands, and to become privileged social class, with no interest in their home-lands except as a source of revenue.

Socially aware chiefs did not like being referred to as highlanders, and whose knowledge of Gaelic was restricted to the fact that the name sounded like a culinary herb.

The introduction of sheep farming into the Highlands caused population re-distribution. The limited resources of the highlands could not provide enough for the increase of the population. Starting from the late 1700’s many more farmers (crofters) were forced off their farms; caused by rent increases, plus; during 1782-1783 a famine in the Highlands occurred. As there were no big industries to fill the demand for employment, many thousands of Scottish people seeking a better life found a new country. These being Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada, only a few went to England and Ireland. It must be stressed that most of these Highlanders were forced to leave, their economic position in the British Imperial system led to this. Their departure was Britain's loss. It was a chance to escape class system, poverty and overcrowding, an immeasurable gain to those countries they settled in. This was commonly referred to as “the highland clearances”.

Of all the misfortunes to befall the Highlanders, the clearances are probably the worst and the one that still engenders great bitterness down to this day. The net result was that between 1783 and 1881 a documented 170,571 Highlanders being ejected from their traditional lands. Records are very scarce the true total is much greater than this. Land clearances peaked – between 1807 and 1821.

Author: Donald Macdonald - ( President of Clan Donald South Australia)

The council of Clan Donald Chiefs today

For a better run down on Clandonald, go to:-

http://www.clandonald.org.uk/chiefs/finlaggan.html