Scottish Clan – Macdonald

Before mentioning MacDonald background a mention should be made of the
Lord of the Isles
Going back to 4 a.d. when the Gaels from Ireland invaded parts of the west coast right through to the 13th century and the Battle of Largs the north west coast was under continued infiltration from the vikings and it was not until the Battle of Largs in 1263 where the the forces of King Magnus III of Man and the Isles as well as his ally, King Haakon IV of Norway were finally defeated that a semblance of peace came to the
area. King Haakon had conferred the title Lord of the Isles on Angus Mor as part of
the deal when they jointly attacked at Largs.

After the defeat Angus Mor accepted King Alexander 3rd of Scotland as his overlord and managed to keep his lands. He is looked on as the first of the clan Macdonald. This was to signal another 300 years of political jousting for power which saw castles rise and fall until finally in the late 15th century the title was forfeited by King James the 4th.

The title is now inherited by the eldest child of Scotland's reigning monarch,
at present Charles Prince of Wales.

During this period the influence of the Clan MacDonald rose and fell. The clan’s official seat is actually Armadale Castle but there have been many others associated with this clan and especially within the same area - the Isle of Skye.

Armadale Castle, was just one of many in the list that the Macdonald Clan possessed, the difference being that they have kept this one to this day and it is still owned officially by the Macdonald clan. It was originally built in 1790 and the Macdonald clan added to the main frame of the castle in 1815. It was destroyed by a terrible fire in 1855 and after this event it was eventually abandoned. However, it was later purchased by the Clan Donald Lands Trust in 1971 who have since restored the gardens and part of the castle. There is also a museum and study centre complete with restaurant and holiday accomadation.

Knock Castle, on the east coast of Sleat on the Isle of Skye was originally constructed by another Scottish clan, the Macleod clan. However, during the late fifteenth century, it was captured by the Macdonald clan.
During the next few years, it regularly passed between the two clans – the Macleod’s and the Macdonald’s - until finally in 1596, the Macdonald’s remodelled the castle somewhat and made it more modern and secure for its time.
Nevertheless, as with other castles that were known to have belonged to the world famous Macdonald clan, Knock Castle was finally abandoned in the year 1689 and to make the best use of the castle, the stones that were originally used to construct it were dismantled and used in buildings within the surrounding areas.

Duntulm Castle was built and extended during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, but was abandoned by the Macdonald clan, just as Knock Castle and to this day, is in
a terrible state of disrepair despite still being visited by many people.

The Macdonald clan are renowned for owning many castles within Scotland and in 1539, a battle began between the Macdonald clan, Macrae clan and the Mackenzie clan for a castle that was situated on the island of Eilean Donan, where the Chief of the
Macdonald clan unfortunately died and the clan withdrew.
The Chief of the Macdonald clan at Sleat was at Dunscaith castle and like many others that the Macdonald clan owned, it is now in terrible disrepair and is classed as a ruin.

As is the case with many Scottish clans, the Macdonald’s had their fair share of castles; some won in battles and others just taken over, but most are classed as ruins.
They are still part of Scottish heritage however and will always prove most interesting for those researching their clan histories as well as history lovers in general.

The above two paintings on the right, were commissioned by Queen Victoria. They were of staff from the Royal Household at Balmoral, and some individuals from the main clans in 1870.
William Macdonald :Piper to The Prince of Wales and wearing the tartan of the Duke of Rothesay, which is one of the Prince's titles.

Farquhar MacDonald and Lachlan MacDonald. Farquhar on the left side wearing the tartan of MacDonald of the Isles and Sleat. Lachlan MacDonald is wearing the traditional MacDonald tartan.

I wasn't really going to go into the MacDonald's of Glencoe and the massacre
but came on a touching wee song I thought was worth a read:

They came in a blizzard, we offered them heat.
A roof for their heads, dry shoes for their feet.
We wined 'em and dined 'em, they ate all our meat.
And they slept in the house of MacDonald.

Chorus:
Oh cruel is the snow that sweeps Glencoe
and covers the grave o' Donald
and cruel is the foe that raped Glencoe
and murdered the house of MacDonald.

They came from Fort William with murder in mind,
The Campbell had orders, King William had signed,
"Put all to the sword" these words underlined,
"Leave no one alive called MacDonald".

Chorus

They came in the night, while our men were asleep.
This band of Argylls, through snow soft and deep.
Like murdering foxes among helpless sheep.
They slaughtered the house of MacDonald.

Chorus

Some died in their beds, at the hands of the foe.
Some fled in the night and were lost in the snow.
Some left to accusin', who struck the first blow.
But gone was the house of MacDonald.

Two links for further reading or thoughts are the original document and other clan references.