Clan MacNicol

Clan Nicolson or Clan MacNicol or Clan MacNeacail is a highland Scottish Clan originating on the Isle of Skye. MacNicol is a Viking-Scottish patronymic name that is derived from Nicolson, which in turn was derived from the Greek Nikolaos, which means conqueror of the people. It is believed that the MacNicol’s held lands at Scorrybreac on the Isle of Skye since the middle of the 11th century. The first recorded use of the name was by John “mak Naky” who was recorded as a supporter of Edward I during the Scottish Wars of Independence in the 14th century.

The clan’s motto is Sgorr-a-breach which translates into Scorrybreac meaning grey ridge, and the clans crest features A Hawk’s head erased Gules.

The historic seat of Clan was Scorrybreac House located on Ben Torvaig, Isle of Skye, Scotland. The lands of Scorrybreac were said to have been a gift from the Scottish Crown to the MacNicol’s chief to recognize the clan’s service during the Battle of Largs in 1263. Scorrybreac became the official seat of the clan after the family lost control of their lands on the Isle of Lewis in the 14th century through the marriage of the chief’s daughter to a son of the chief of Clan MacLeod. The MacNicol’s controlled the lands of Scorrybreac until 1825 when then chief, Malcolm Nicolson, emigrated to Tasmania due to the Highland Clearances. The lands then were sold off to Clan MacDonald and Scorrybreac House was demolished in the 1800s. In 1987 the international MacNeacail Clan Federation purchased 180 acres of the old Scorrybreac lands and established a nature trail named Scorrybreac Trails.

In the 1980s Iain Nicolson petitioned the Lord Lyon to be declared the rightful chief of Clan MacNicol or clan Nicolson, however in the early 1980s Sir

David Nicolson was recognized as chief of the lowland Nicolson’s. Chiefship of the Clan was awarded to Iain Nicolson in 1988 but as Iain Norman MacNeacail of MacNeacail, using the Gaelic origin of the name. The Clan MacNeacail Foundation was established in 1999 with the publishing of a book named “The Highland Clan MacNeacail”. The Foundation claims to have branches in Scotland, Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand.