Clan MacDonald/Clan Donald Resources

 

Official Clan Resources:

• High Council of Clan Donald: The official website provides leadership, guidance, and improved communication within the worldwide Clan Donald community. It aims to bring unity to Clan Donald members globally. ​clandonaldcanada.net+8highcouncilofclandonald.com+8clandonald.org.uk+8

• Clan Donald Societies Worldwide: Various societies exist in countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, dedicated to preserving and promoting the customs, traditions, and heritage of Clan Donald. ​armadalecastle.com

Genealogical Resources:

• Clan Donald Genealogy Database: Maintained by the Clan Donald Society of Edinburgh, this project aims to update and make accessible the genealogical work of previous historians. ​armadalecastle.com+3clandonald.org.uk+3clandonald.org.uk+3

• Armadale Castle Archives & Library: Located on the Isle of Skye, the library offers census reports, parish records, and a database of detailed records of several thousand Skye families, particularly useful for those with MacDonald ancestry. ​armadalecastle.com

Historical Publications:

• “History of the Clan Donald” by Henry James Lee: A comprehensive book detailing the history and genealogy of the MacDonald, McDonald, and McDonnell families. ​Strand Bookstore+3AbeBooks+3Google Books+3

• “The Clan Donald” by Archibald Macdonald: Originally published in three volumes between 1896 and 1904, this work provides an in-depth look into the clan’s history. ​Barnes & Noble+1highcouncilofclandonald.com+1

Clan Publications:

• The Clan Donald Magazine: Produced periodically since 1959 by the Clan Donald Societies of Scotland, the magazine contains articles submitted from members worldwide. ​clandonaldusa.org+7clandonald.org.uk+7clandonaldusa.org+7

Community Engagement:

• Clan Donald Societies: Active societies in various countries organize events, lectures, and commemorations, such as the Battle of Culloden Commemoration. ​clandonald.org+1clandonald.org+1

• Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum of the Isles: Considered the spiritual home of Clan Donald, it offers insights into the clan’s heritage and hosts various events. ​

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Clan MacDonald or Clan Donald is the largest of the Scottish Clans.  Located in the Scottish Highlands,  Clan Donald can trace its beginning to before twelve hundred and fifty, when Donald, the grandson of King Somerled, founded the clan on Islay island.  The later chiefs have traditionally been known as the lord of the Isles, it is said they have been powerful enough to challenge the crown of Scotland.

Clan Donald’s motto is Per mare per terras, meaning, by sea and by land, and their badge crest or sigil features a crest coronet, an armored hand holding a cross.

Clan MacDonald has many branches with clan chiefs of their own.  These include:

Clan Macdonald of Sleat
Clan Macdonald of Clanranald
Clan MacDonald of Largie
Clan MacDonell of Glengarry
Clan MacDonald of Keppoch
Clan MacAlister

In 1493 after an unsuccessful attempt to gain more power in Scotland, the MacDonald chief was stripped of his title “Lord of the Isles” by the Scottish King James IV. For years the MacDonalds worked to restore this title with little progress.

In the 15th century the crown began granting charters to the various branches of Clan MacDonald based on their separate land holdings.  This was a crown policy to successfully keep the large and powerful clan divided.

During the Jacobite rebellion in the 18th century clan MacDonald supported the House of Stuart against the British government.   The MacDonald Clan began to decline in the late 17 hundreds due to losses during the rebellion and  to the highland clearances that saw much of its clan emigrate to the new world.

The historic seat of Clan Donald is Finnlaggan Castle, on the island of Islay.  The castle was built in the 13th century on top of what they believe was an Iron Age fort.  The castle was demolished sometime in the 15th or 16th century.

In 1971 the last remaining properties held by a member of the MacDonald clan located on the Island of Skye came up for sale.  The lands were purchased by the Clan Donald Lands Trust and house a museum located in Castle Armdale that preserves the history of the clan.

Septs and Dependents – Connall, Connell, Colson, Coulson, Darroch, Donald, Donaldson, Galbraith, Kean, MacBride, MacCall, MacCaul, MacCodrum, MacColl, MacConnell, MacCoul, MacEachran, MacEachern, MacHowell, MacGilp, MacGorrie. MacGoun, MacGown, Maclan, MacIlvride, MacIlwraith, MacKean, MacKechnie, MacKillop, MacLardie, MacLarty. MacLaverty, MacLeverty, MacPhilip, MacRaith, MacRory, MacRuer, MacRury, MacSporran, MacWhannel, Martin, Philipson, Purcell, Rorison, Whannel.