While the clan’s two island castles mostly lie in varied states of decline now, these victims to time and politics still remain impressive reminders of Clan Donald’s power. Photo by Derek Voller / CC BY-SA 2.0 Clan Donald Castles: The Cradle of Clan Donald

Mountains of North Harris in the Western Isles. In the 1330s, its territory would expand further to Skye and Lewis. A century later, their lands grew when Robert the Bruce granted Clan Donald more territory on the mainland including Lochaber and Glencoe. In the 1100s, the warrior Somerled secured dominion over the Western Isles for Clan Donald. Photo by Celtus / CC BY-SA 3.0 Clan Donald TerritoriesĬlan Donald is a now global clan with ancient roots in the Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland and County Antrim of Northern Ireland.

The clan motto “by sea and by land” acknowledges the clan’s island and seafaring roots and its mainland expansion goals. The crest depicts a small, simple crown with an armoured hand holding a cross. The MacDonald clan crest was a symbol of allegiance used by members to show loyalty to their clan chief. This gravitas gifted the Donald Clan Chief the title of Lord of the Isles ( Triath nan Eilean or Rìgh Innse Gall in Scottish Gaelic). For nearly 400 years, Clan Donald ruled the west highlands and the Hebrides – their land and power stretched so wide that it was only second to the Kings of Scotland and England. The Clan Donald’s (or Clan MacDonald) Scottish roots run deep – being the oldest and largest of all Scottish clans. What is the difference between McDonald and MacDonald?.Is It Clan Donald or MacDonald? An Inclusive Clan.The Massacre of Glencoe: Campbell vs MacDonald (1692).Battle in a Church: MacLeod vs MacDonald (1578).

The Eigg Massacre: MacLeod vs MacDonald (1577).The Battle of Bloody Bay: MacDonald vs MacDonald (sometime between 1480-1483).The Rise, Division and Expansion of Clan Donald.Ancient Norse-Celtic Beginnings: The Kingdom of the Isles.Clan Donald Castles: The Cradle of Clan Donald.

Stoney the clan lord dungeon link