Iain Ciar MacLeod facts for kids

Iain Ciar MacLeod (Scottish Gaelic: Iain Ciar MacLeòid) was born in 1330 and died around 1392. He is known as the 4th Chief of Clan MacLeod. Iain Ciar took over from his father, Malcolm, sometime between 1360 and 1370. Clan stories say he was a very strict leader, perhaps the strictest of all MacLeod chiefs. He was killed in a surprise attack around 1392. His second son, William Cleireach, became the next chief.

Iain Ciar MacLeod's Life

Iain Ciar MacLeod was born in 1330. He was the oldest child of Malcolm. He became the clan chief between 1360 and 1370. An old book called the Bannatyne manuscript says that King Robert II gave him land on Skye. This included the area of Trotternish.

The manuscript describes Iain Ciar as a very powerful leader. It says he was both feared and respected by his people. He married the daughter of an Irish O'Neil chieftain. She was also known for being very strong-willed.

A Story from the Past

One story from the Bannatyne manuscript tells about Iain Ciar hunting deer on the Harris. The forest belonged to an old family called Clan Vic Ghitthich. Iain Ciar was upset because they had not found a special white stag. He offered a reward to find out who had killed it.

Someone blamed the MacGhitthich chief. Because of this, Iain Ciar punished the chief. Later, when Iain Ciar's group was returning to Rodel, the MacGhitthich family attacked them. Iain Ciar was hit by an arrow during the fight.

His son, William Cleireach, bravely gathered his clan and fought off the attackers. Iain Ciar's wife and some other women tried to escape by boat. However, their boat was caught in a storm and crashed against some rocks. These rocks are now called "the Maidens".

MacLeod's Maidens, Skye, where Iain Ciar's wife and daughters were said to have perished

The wounded Iain Ciar was taken to the church at Rodel. He died there that same evening. His body was then taken to Iona for burial. His son, William Cleireach, became the new chief. Historians believe Iain Ciar died in 1392.

Church of St Clement, Rodel, Harris, where Iain Ciar was taken before he died

Where Iain Ciar Was Buried

The Bannatyne manuscript states that the first seven chiefs of Clan MacLeod were buried at Iona. The main part of Iona Abbey's choir was built in the early 1500s. In the middle of the choir, there is a large stone. People believe this stone once marked a MacLeod grave. It used to have a metal design on it, possibly made of silver. This stone is the biggest carved stone on the island. It measures about 7 feet 9 inches (2.37 meters) by 3 feet 10 inches (1.17 meters).

The choir of Iona Abbey; The stone said to represent a MacLeod is visible on the floor in the middle

Some historians think that Iain Ciar might have been buried under a different stone on Iona. This other stone was once thought to belong to a MacLeod of Lewis from the 1500s. However, some believe it could actually be Iain Ciar's grave. The stone has a coat of arms on it. It shows a ship and four animals standing up. Two of these animals look like lions. Another looks like a stag. The fourth animal is harder to identify. It might represent something from his wife's Irish O'Neil family.

Iain Ciar's Family

According to the Bannatyne manuscript, Iain Ciar and his wife had two sons and four daughters. He also had three other daughters.

His oldest son, Malcolm, died at a party on the Lewis. He was there to marry the daughter of a relative. A fight broke out during the feast, and both Malcolm and his relative were killed. This caused bad feelings between the two parts of the clan for a while.

Iain Ciar's second son was named William. He was meant to study for the church and was known as "a Cleireach," meaning "the clerk." However, he ended up becoming the next chief after his father's death.

The manuscript also says that one of Iain Ciar's daughters married Lachlan MacLean of Duart. Another daughter married Cameron of Locheil. Both of these daughters had children.