Malcolm MacLeod (clan chief) facts for kids

Malcolm MacLeod (Scottish Gaelic: Gille Caluim MacLeòid) lived from 1296 to 1370. He is known as the 3rd Chief of Clan MacLeod. Malcolm was the son of Tormod. He and his relative Torquil were the first MacLeod chiefs to be written about in official records.

Clan stories say Malcolm was the greatest hero of his clan. He is also linked to a special clan treasure called Sir Rory Mor's Horn. In his later years, he became very heavy. People knew him as 'Good Fat Malcolm' or 'Malcolm the thick-legged'. Tradition says he was buried on the island of Iona. Malcolm's son, Iain Ciar MacLeod, became the next chief after him.

Malcolm's Life and Family

Malcolm was the son of Tormod. Tormod was the second chief of Clan MacLeod. Malcolm was also the grandson of Leod, who started the clan. According to a clan historian, Malcolm was born in 1296. He became chief in 1320.

Malcolm and his relative Torquil were the first MacLeod chiefs mentioned in official papers. Their names appear in a royal document from around 1343. This was during the time of King David II (who ruled from 1329 to 1371).

The Bannatyne manuscript is an important old document about the early MacLeod chiefs. This document describes Malcolm as the bravest hero of all MacLeods. It says he married a daughter of Sir Neil Campbell of Lochow. Sir Neil was an ancestor of the Dukes of Argyll. Another historian said Malcolm married Martha, daughter of the Earl of Mar. It's possible he married both women. Both marriages would have connected him to the family of Robert the Bruce.

The Story of Sir Rory Mor's Horn

This picture shows Sir Rory Mor's Horn. One story says it came from a bull Malcolm fought in Glenelg.

Clan stories say Malcolm was very brave and strong. The Bannatyne manuscript tells a famous tale about him. One night, Malcolm met a huge bull in the woods of Glenelg. This bull had been scaring everyone in the area. Malcolm, using only a small knife called a dirk, fought and killed the bull. He then broke off one of its horns.

Malcolm carried the horn all the way to Dunvegan as a prize. This brave act started a long-lasting feud between the Frasers and the MacLeods. The story says that the horn has stayed at Dunvegan ever since. It was turned into a drinking horn. Every new chief must drink it all in one go.

The story also says that since Malcolm defeated the bull, the MacLeods of MacLeod have used a bull's head as their heraldic crest. Their motto is "hold fast". Today, the MacLeod crest still shows a bull. The clan has a famous drinking horn, called Sir Rory Mor's Horn. It is believed to be the horn from this old story. You can see it at Dunvegan Castle with other family treasures.

Later Life and Death

The Bannatyne manuscript says that when Malcolm got old, he became very heavy. Because of this, he was known as "Callum Reamhar Math," which means "Good Fat Malcolm." He was also called "Malcolm Coise Reamhar," meaning "the thick-legged."

The manuscript states that Malcolm died at the castle of Stornoway. He was visiting his relative, MacLeod of Lewis, at the time. Tradition says he was buried on the island of Iona, next to his father.

Malcolm's Children

The Bannatyne manuscript says Malcolm had four sons. They were John (who became the next chief), Tormod, Murdo, and Malcolm Og.

• John was Malcolm's oldest son and heir.
• Tormod, the second son, lived on Bernera, Harris. His family lived there for many years.
• Murdo, the third son, was given the lands of Glenelg. His family, known as the MacLeods of Gesto, held these lands for several generations.
• Malcolm Og, the fourth son, married a daughter of MacDuffie of Colonsay. He settled in Argyll. Many people believe Malcolm Og was the ancestor of the Clan MacCallum.

See also

• Sir Rory Mor's Horn, a famous clan treasure linked to Malcolm