Coll Ciotach facts for kids

Coll Ciotach Mac Domhnaill (meaning "Left-handed Coll MacDonald") was a Scottish adventurer. He was born around 1570 and passed away in 1647. He belonged to a powerful Scottish family called Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg, which was part of the larger Clan Donald.

In 1623, Coll Ciotach became the leader, or Laird, of the island of Colonsay. His nickname, Ciotach, meant "left-handed" or "crafty". People often called him Colkitto. He started using this nickname more often later in his life.

In Gaelic, he was sometimes called Coll Mac Gilleasbuig, which means "Coll the son of Archibald". In English, people knew him as "Coll Macgilespik" or "Coll MacDonald". Some people even thought "Coll" was his military rank, like "Colonel", and "Ciotach" was his last name. So, he was known by many names, like Colonel Kittoghie or Colonel Macdonald.

Coll Ciotach died when he was 77 years old at Dunyvaig Castle. He was captured by his enemies, the Clan Campbell, and died shortly after.

Coll Ciotach's Family

Coll Ciotach's family line, the Colonsay branch of the MacDonalds, came from Colla Maol Dubh. Colla Maol Dubh was a skilled horseman and the fourth son of Alexander, who was the fifth chief of the Macdonalds of Dunnyveg.

Coll Ciotach was born after his father, Archibald, had passed away. He was born in Ireland, in a place called Loughlynch in County Antrim. His mother was from a local Irish family. Coll Ciotach was known for supporting Catholic interests in the region.

He married Mary MacDonald from Sanda. Her family was also part of the MacDonald clan. Mary's family faced difficulties during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, a series of conflicts in Britain and Ireland.

Coll Ciotach and Mary had several children:

• Gilleasbuig (Archibald): He died at Dunaverty Castle in 1647.
• Aonghus (Angus): He also died at Dunaverty Castle in 1647.
• Alasdair (Alexander): He married Elizabeth MacAlister. Alasdair was a very important figure in the wars, fighting in both Ireland and Scotland. He died at the Battle of Knocknanauss in 1647.
• Seamus (James)

The famous English poet John Milton even mentioned Coll Ciotach's family in one of his poems (Sonnet XI). He wrote a line that referred to three generations:

[...]Colkitto or Macdonnel or Galasp.

"Galasp" is another way of saying Gillespie, which was an anglicized name for his family.