Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod facts for kids

Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod (born 1973) is an important leader in Scotland. He is the 30th Chief of Clan MacLeod. This means he is the main leader of a very old Scottish family, the MacLeods. He also represents his clan in a special group called the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. The Court of the Lord Lyon, which deals with Scottish heraldry, also recognizes him as the official Chief of the MacLeod name.

In 2007, Hugh became the owner of Dunvegan Castle. This castle is the ancient home of the MacLeod Chiefs. He also inherited the lands around it. These lands are on the beautiful Isle of Skye in Scotland. The estate covers over 42,000 acres (about 17,000 hectares). He inherited these responsibilities after his father, John MacLeod of MacLeod, passed away.

Who is Hugh MacLeod?

Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod was born in London, England, in 1973.

Early Life and Education

Hugh studied at two famous universities. He earned a degree in Film and Modern History. He studied at the University of London and the Sorbonne in Paris. He finished his studies in 1995.

Career in Film and Estate Management

After college, Hugh worked briefly at Sotheby's and Freud Communications. He then started a career in television. He worked as a researcher. He also directed and produced a documentary film. This film was called Champagne and Canvas. It was nominated for an award in 1998.

Since then, Hugh has worked as a freelance director, producer, and writer. He creates films and TV shows. In 2008, he also took on the job of managing the MacLeod Estate. This includes Dunvegan Castle and the family lands. He now splits his time between Dunvegan and London.

His Family

Hugh married a French former actress, Frédérique Feder, in 2002. Their marriage ended in 2020. They have one son together. His name is Vincent Liam MacLeod. He was born in 1999. Vincent is known as the Younger of MacLeod. This means he is the next in line to become Chief.

The MacLeod Coat of Arms

Arms of Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod

Notes The Latin motto, murus aheneus esto, translates into English as "be thou a wall of brass". The 1st and 4th quarters represent Clan MacLeod; the 2nd and 3rd quarters represent the supposed royal Manx heritage of the clan. Adopted Lyon Office 2 June 1962. Crest: Lyon Office January 1943. Crest A bull's head cabossed sable, horned Or, between two flags gules, staves of the first. Escutcheon Quarterly; 1st and 4th, azure, a castles triple-towered and embattled argent, masoned sable, windows and porch gules; 2nd and 3rd, gules, three legs in armour proper, garnished and spurred Or, flexed and conjoined in triangle at the upper part of the thigh. Supporters Two lions reguardant gules, armed and langued azure, each holding a dagger proper. Motto Hold fast (above the crest); murus aheneus esto (on a compartment below the shield).

A coat of arms is a special design. It represents a family, a clan, or a person. The MacLeod clan has a very old and detailed coat of arms. It shows symbols important to their history.

• Motto: The MacLeod clan has two mottos. One is "Hold fast," which is above the crest. The other is in Latin: murus aheneus esto. This means "be thou a wall of brass." It suggests strength and protection.
• Shield: The main part of the coat of arms is the shield. It is divided into four sections.
  • The first and fourth sections show a castle. This represents the Clan MacLeod.
  • The second and third sections show three armored legs joined together. This symbol is from the Isle of Man. It represents the clan's possible royal connections to the old Kings of Mann and the Isles.
• Crest: Above the shield is the crest. It shows a bull's head with golden horns. There are two red flags on either side.
• Supporters: On either side of the shield are two lions. They are red and hold daggers. These are called supporters.

The Court of the Lord Lyon officially approved this coat of arms. This happened in 1962. The crest was approved earlier, in 1943.