Alasdair Crotach MacLeod facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alasdair Crotach MacLeod
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| Born | 1450 |
| Died | 1547 |
| Resting place | Church of St Clement, Rodel, Harris |
| Title | The 8th Chief of Clan MacLeod |
| Predecessor | William Dubh (father) |
| Successor | William (son) |
| Children | 1 son; 1 natural son; 2 daughters |
Alasdair Crotach MacLeod (Scottish Gaelic: Alasdair Crotach MacLeòid) (1450 – 1547) was the 8th Chief of Clan MacLeod. He was the son of William Dubh, the 7th Chief. Alasdair became chief in 1480 after his father died at the Battle of Bloody Bay. He was the first MacLeod chief not to be buried on the island of Iona.
The Scottish Gaelic word crotach means "humpbacked". This nickname came from serious injuries he got in battle. These wounds affected him for the rest of his life. Alasdair Crotach's tomb is one of the most beautifully carved tombs in Scotland from that time. His son, William, took over as chief after him.
Contents
Life of Alasdair Crotach
How Alasdair Got His Nickname
Alasdair Crotach was the son of William Dubh MacLeod, the 7th Chief of Clan MacLeod. His nickname, crotach, means "humpbacked" in Scottish Gaelic. Clan stories say Alasdair got this name after being badly hurt in a big battle.
In the late 1400s, Angus Og MacDonald tried to take power from his father, John MacDonald. Angus had the support of many MacDonald clans. But other island clans, like the MacLeods of Harris, the MacLeans, and the MacNeils, supported John.
Stories say there were many small fights across the Hebrides. One important fight happened on Skye. A large group of MacDonalds, led by Evan MacKail, landed there. They wanted to attack MacLeod lands. Alasdair's father, William Dubh, was away. So, Alasdair gathered his clan's fighters. They marched to meet the MacDonalds near their ships.
The two groups fought fiercely. Alasdair was wounded in the back by Evan MacKail, who used a battle axe. As Alasdair fell, he grabbed Evan MacKail and pulled him down too. Alasdair then killed MacKail with his dirk and took his head as a sign of victory. The MacDonalds lost the battle, many of their men, and ten ships.
Leading the Clan
MacLeod traditions say Alasdair Crotach became chief after his father died in the Battle of Bloody Bay in 1480. After this, Angus MacDonald attacked MacLeod lands in Trotternish. Duntulm Castle was taken from the MacLeods by surprise. The clan never got this fortress back.
Around 1490, the MacDonalds attacked the MacLeods again. This fight is known as the Battle of Glendale. However, some historians believe that different battles might have been mixed up in clan stories. They think the Battle of Glendale might have happened later.
Alasdair later received a special agreement from the King. This agreement allowed him to use lands in Trotternish. These lands had been held by other clans before. In 1528, Alasdair was driven out of Trotternish by Donald Gruamach and John MacLeod. Alasdair was recorded as a tenant of the King in Trotternish. In 1542, he received a royal document for Trotternish, Sleat, and North Uist. However, it's thought he didn't truly own all these lands.
During the 1400s, the MacLeods lost about half of their old lands. Part of North Uist was given away in 1406. Sleat was lost around 1435. And as mentioned, Trotternish was lost around 1482 during Alasdair's time as chief.
Troubles in the Isles
During Alasdair Crotach's time, the Scottish Crown officially ruled the Western Isles. But clan chiefs often made their own rules. This led to a period of disorder across the West Highlands and Isles. Stories say the MacLeods and MacDonalds of Clanranald often fought each other.
One story tells of a MacLeod ship, a birlinn, that landed on the island of Eigg. The crew were not given food. So, they killed some local animals to eat. The islanders then killed most of the crew. Three survivors were sent out to sea. They somehow reached Skye.
When Alasdair Crotach heard about this, he was very angry. He decided to get revenge on the people of Eigg, Rum, and Canna. He ordered six large ships to be prepared. With his son, William, and many armed men, he sailed to the Small Isles. The islanders knew the MacLeods were coming. They tried to hide in a large cave on Eigg.
When the MacLeods arrived, they searched for three days. They finally found the cave where the islanders were hiding. Stories say Alasdair Crotach was a religious man. Before any action, he prayed for six hours. He said if the wind blew away from the cave's entrance after his prayers, the people would be spared. But if the wind blew into the cave, they would be punished. The wind blew sideways for most of his prayer. But at the very end, it shifted and blew strongly into the cave.
Alasdair Crotach believed this was a sign from heaven. He ordered the attack. He then sailed back to Skye. His son, William, carried out the plan. William gathered wood and other things that would burn. He lit them at the cave's entrance, causing smoke to fill the cave. Many MacDonalds died inside. For his part in this event, William became known as 'William of the Cave'.
Historians disagree on the exact date of this event. Some say it was around 1510. The cave is known as the Massacre Cave in English. Its Scottish Gaelic name is Uamh Fhraing. Sir Walter Scott visited the cave in 1814 and found bones there.
Later Years
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Years before he died, Alasdair Crotach gave up his leadership role to his son, William. He then went to live at the monastery of Rodel on Harris. He gave land to the monastery and helped fix up the church. He also built two other churches, which are now in ruins.
Alasdair Crotach also had work done on Dunvegan Castle. He built a tower there that is named after him. Clan stories say Alasdair Crotach started a school for pipers on Skye. He was a man who appreciated culture. He hired many harpers, bards, and storytellers (called shenachies).
It is said that few people could use his large sword, a claymore. The claymore kept at Dunvegan Castle, often called 'Rory Mor's claymore', might actually have belonged to Alasdair Crotach. This sword has been dated to around 1460, which is when Alasdair Crotach would have been a young man.
Alasdair Crotach died in 1547. He was buried in a tomb inside St Clement's Church in Rodel, on Harris. His tomb is one of the most richly carved tombs in Scotland from that time. The tomb itself was made in 1528, about two decades before Alasdair Crotach's death. He was the first MacLeod chief to be buried on Harris. Before him, all the chiefs were said to be buried on the island of Iona.
Family
Alasdair Crotach married a daughter of Cameron of Lochiel. Stories say Alasdair was still unmarried even when he was older. Cameron of Lochiel had ten daughters and offered any of them to Alasdair as a wife. Alasdair Crotach married the youngest daughter. She lived to be very old and was buried next to her husband.
Alasdair Crotach and his wife had three sons and two daughters. Their children were likely born between 1500 and 1520. One daughter married James MacDonald. She later married Allan MacIan of Clanranald, and then MacDonald of Keppoch. Another daughter married Hector MacLean of Lochbuie.
Alasdair Crotach also had a son named Donald Glass. Stories say Donald Glass was on a ship that was captured by MacDonalds. He was taken to North Uist, put in chains, and had a heavy weight around his neck. He was held for six years and never fully recovered from the bad treatment. His crew members were kept in a dungeon and starved to death.
Heraldry
The oldest known seal linked to a MacLeod chief belongs to Alasdair Crotach. This seal is from 1542. It shows a stag's head with a checkered pattern below it.
Images for kids
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Entrance to Massacre Cave on Eigg. Many MacDonalds were said to have died inside.
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A claymore sword, possibly belonging to Alasdair Crotach.
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A carving of Alasdair Crotach on his tomb.
