Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh facts for kids
The Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh was a Scottish family. They were a part of the much larger Clan Donald, one of the biggest and most powerful clans in Scotland. This branch of the MacDonalds lived in the area around Loch Alsh in the Scottish Highlands.
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History of the Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh
The Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh began with a man named Celestine MacDonald. He was the second son of Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross, who was the 3rd Lord of the Isles and the 8th chief of Clan Donald. Celestine lived until 1476.
Celestine MacDonald of Lochalsh wanted to become the chief of Clan Donald and the Lord of the Isles after his father. He had the support of the Clan MacDonnell of Glengarry. However, his older brother, John of Islay, Earl of Ross, became the 4th Lord of the Isles and the 9th chief instead. After Celestine, his son Alexander became the next chief of the Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh.
The Raid on Ross
A significant event involving the clan was the Raid on Ross. Ewen Cameron, the 13th Chief of Clan Cameron, led a large group of his clan. They were joined by Alexander MacDonald of Lochalsh, along with members of Clan MacDonald of Clan Ranald and the Chattan Confederation. They went on a raid into the area known as Ross-shire.
During this raid, they had a conflict with the Clan Mackenzie of Kintail. The raiding party then moved from Lochaber to Badennoch, where the Clan Mackintosh joined them. They continued to Inverness and took over Inverness Castle. The Mackintosh clan then placed their own soldiers inside the castle. The MacDonalds of Lochalsh had a strong connection to the Camerons, partly because they were their superiors in some lands and also through marriage. Ewen Cameron had married a daughter of Celestine of Lochalsh.
Rebellions and Conflicts
In 1497, Sir Alexander MacDonald of Lochalsh and his clan rebelled against the King. Sir Alexander invaded the rich lands of Ross-shire. However, he was defeated by the Clan Mackenzie at the Battle of Drumchatt (1497). He was forced to leave Ross-shire. He tried to escape through the islands to the south. But he was caught on the island of Oransay by MacIain of Ardnamurchan and was killed.
Later, in 1513, Sir Donald MacDonald of Lochalsh was returning home from the Battle of Flodden. He joined forces with Sir Alexander MacDonnell of Glengarry and Wiland, the chief of Clan Chisholm. Together, they captured Urquhart Castle. Some historical records suggest that MacDonald held the castle for three years, even though the Clan Grant tried to remove them.
Sir Donald MacDonald of Lochalsh also sought revenge for his father's death. His father had been killed by MacIain of Ardnamurchan. Sir Donald wanted to become the Lord of the Isles. In 1515, he attacked Mingarry Castle, which was the home of Ardnamurchan. Two years later, in 1517, he successfully captured the castle. He then burned it down and destroyed the surrounding lands.
In 1518, John MacIain of Ardnamurchan was killed by his own relatives. This was partly for his role in killing MacDonald of Lochalsh in 1497. It was also for the deaths of the chief of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg and his son.
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