MacDonald Tartan

The MacDonald clan was the most powerful of the Highland clans and held extensive lands.They originate from Norse stock. It was thought they had come from Ireland but DNA evidence suggest otherwise.The name is Gaelic, MacDhomhnuill, meaning son of 'world ruler'. The progenitor of the clan was Somerled and from his descendents came six branches, Kepppoch, Glengarry, Clanranald, Sleat , Ardnamurchan and Glencoe. They were recognised as separate clans under an High Chief Lord of the Isles. The clan was divided over the struggles of Robert the Bruce. The chief, Alexander, opposed Bruce. His brother Angus Og along with a large number of the clan fought alongside Bruce at Bannockburn. After the death of Bruce, the clan withdrew their support but were afterwards reconciled to David II. In the fifteenth century the title of the Earl of Ross was acquired with much inter clan fighting ( MacKenzies, MacLeods, MacCleans MacKays, clan Sunderlands and Murrays). In 1495 James IV took away the title Lord of the Isles. Throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth century inter clan warfare continued. In the 1715 and 1745 rebellions there were MacDonalds fighting on both sides.