Clan MacDonald of Clanranald

MacDonald of Clanranald Clan Crest: A castle with three towers, and an armoured hand with sword issuing from the centre.

MacDonald Clan Motto: My Hope Is Constant In Thee.

History of Clan MacDonald of Clanranald:
The ancestor of this branch of Clan Donald is Ranald, eldest son of John of Islay, Lord of the Isles and Amy Macruari, heiress to a vast inheritance of lands in the Outer Hebrides. However, Ranald did not become Lord of the Isles, that inheritance passing to his half-brother from his father's second marriage to Princess Margaret Stewart, daughter of Robert II.

Ranald himself had five sons, one of whom was Alan, who succeeded him as Chief of Clanranald, and Donald, who founded the Glengarry line. The Clanranalds readily gave allegiance to the Ard Righ, King of Scots, and were firm supporters of Charles I, taking part in the Marquis of Montrose's victory against the Marquis of Argyll at the Battle of Inverlochy in 1645.

Alan, 14th Chief, fought with Viscount Dundee and was forced into exile in France. In 1715, he returned to Scotland to support the Old Pretender and before being killed at the Battle of Sheriffmuir, was created Lord Clanranald.

Following the death of Alan's brother Ranald, also in exile in France, the Chiefship passed to
Donald MacDonald of Benbecula, whose son, Old Clanranald, and grandson, Ranald, Younger of Clanranald, both supported Prince Charles Edward Stuart during the 1745 Uprising.

The descendants of Ranald, Younger of Clanranald, died out in 1944, and the Chiefship and Captaincy of Clanranald passed to the Macdonald of Boisdale line. The current Chief, Ranald Alexander Macdonald, Captain of Clanranald, was recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms as Chief in 1956.

Places of Interest: Castle Tioram, Moidart, Lochaber. This is the ruined stronghold of the MacDonalds of Clanranald. There has recently been a controversy over its possible restoration.

Associated family names (Septs): Alcock, Alison, Allan, Allanson, Allen, Callan, Callen, Currie, Isaac, Isaacs, Ketchen, Ketchin, MacAchin, MacAichan, MacAllan, MacBurie, MacCrindle, MacCurrach, MacCurrie, MacDonald, MacEachan, MacEachen, MacEachin, MacGachan, MacGeacchan, MacIsaac, MacKeachan, MacKechnie, MacKeochan, MacKessack, MacKessick, MacKichan, MacKissock, MacMurray, MacMurrich, MacVarish, MacVurich, MacVurie, MacVurrich, Park.

Clan MacDonald of Clanranald display certificate.