The MacLeods are Norse, descended from Leod, the son of Olaf the Black, King of Mann and the Isles. Leod’s sons were the progenitors of two main branches of the clan -- the Clan of Torquil in Lewis and the Clan of Tormod in Skye and Harris.
The MacLeods were vassals (subjects) of the Lords of the Isles but managed to avoid forfeiture of their lands after James IV had asserted his right over the Gaelic clans of the Hebrides. However, they were forced to defend their possessions with the sword against the interests of rival clans.
Alasdair, 8th Chief of Harris (1450 - 1547), was one of the most distinguished of the MacLeod chiefs. In 1542 he obtained a charter for the lands of Trotternish on Skye, which had been the cause of a long feud between the MacDonalds and the MacLeods. He also built St Clements Church at Rodel in Harris and the Fairy Tower at Dunvegan Castle on Skye, the ancient seat of the MacLeod chief.
While the principal branch of the family prospered under Alasdair, the line of Torquil was less fortunate. At the beginning of the 16th century the MacLeod lands in Lewis, and those acquired through marriage at Assynt in Sutherland, were forfeited after the MacLeod chief supported Donald Dubh in his attempt to claim the Lordship of the Isles. Although the lands were restored a few years later, the clan was weakened by internal disputes at the beginning of the 17th century and their lands passed to the Mackenzies through marriage.
The MacLeod of Lewis tartan is one of the most recognisable designs, first depicted in a portrait dating from around 1830.
The MacLeods were vassals (subjects) of the Lords of the Isles but managed to avoid forfeiture of their lands after James IV had asserted his right over the Gaelic clans of the Hebrides. However, they were forced to defend their possessions with the sword against the interests of rival clans.
Alasdair, 8th Chief of Harris (1450 - 1547), was one of the most distinguished of the MacLeod chiefs. In 1542 he obtained a charter for the lands of Trotternish on Skye, which had been the cause of a long feud between the MacDonalds and the MacLeods. He also built St Clements Church at Rodel in Harris and the Fairy Tower at Dunvegan Castle on Skye, the ancient seat of the MacLeod chief.
While the principal branch of the family prospered under Alasdair, the line of Torquil was less fortunate. At the beginning of the 16th century the MacLeod lands in Lewis, and those acquired through marriage at Assynt in Sutherland, were forfeited after the MacLeod chief supported Donald Dubh in his attempt to claim the Lordship of the Isles. Although the lands were restored a few years later, the clan was weakened by internal disputes at the beginning of the 17th century and their lands passed to the Mackenzies through marriage.
The MacLeod of Lewis tartan is one of the most recognisable designs, first depicted in a portrait dating from around 1830.