- Motto: Per mere per terras - By sea and by land
- Badge: A hand
in armour in fess, proper, holding by the point a cross
crosslet fitchy, gules.
- Tartan: MacDonald
of the Isles
- Gaelic Name: MacDhòmhnuill
- Plant Badge: Heath
- Origin of Name: Gaelic Domhnull (world ruler)
It is difficult in a short sketch to outline the history
of various branches of the clan Donald, the families of
which are intricately interwoven. Somerled, Regulus of the
Isles, from whom the clan trace their descent, expelled
the Norsemen from the Western Isles in the 12th century.
He was killed at Renfrew in 1164 when his army did battle
with Malcolm IV, and was succeeded by his son Reginald,
Lord of the Isles, from whom are descended the Clans MacDonald
and MacRurie.
From Dugall, the brother of Reginald, are descended the
Clan MacDugall. Reginald was liberal to the church and founded
the monastery of Saddell. His son, Donald "de Isla,"
succeeded him, and under his guidance the clan attained
great eminence. He died in 1269 and was succeeded by his
son Angus who supported Haco, but did not suffer from the
latter's defeat at Largs in 1263. Angus Og supported Bruce
and increased the family possessions considerably. His son,
John, assumed the title of Lord of the Isles in 1354. His
son Donald of Harlow followed as 2nd Lord of the Isles.
He married the only daughter of the Countess of Ross, and
claimed the Earldom of Ross, but later renounced this claim
and became a vassal of the crown. He died in 1423, and his
son Alexander succeeded and became Earl of Ross on the death
of his mother. The title was acknowledged by the Crown in
1430. For a period he was Justiciar of Scotland. He died
in 1448 and was succeeded by his son John, 4th and last
Lord of the Isles, who rebelled against the Crown and declared
his independence. After a long stormy life, during which
the Earldom of Ross was annexed to the crown, And the Lordship
of the Isles forfeited, John died without legitimate issue
in 1498.
Text taken from Robert Bain's "The Clans and Tartans
of Scotland"
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