The Clan Donald Society of the Highlands and Islands

Comann Chlann Dòmhnaill na Gaidhealtachd ìs nan Eilean

A TOUR

To celebrate the life and times of our National Hero

Major General Sir Hector Macdonald

(1853-1903)

Saturday 27^th August 2011

10am – Meet at the Hector Macdonald monument, Mulbuie

11am – Visit Rootfield croft- the birthplace of Hector Macdonald

12 noon – Soup and sandwich lunch at the National Hotel,        Dingwall. (£5.50 per head)

2pm – An exclusive visit to the Dingwall Museum

3.30pm – An opportunity to walk up the famous Hector Macdonald Memorial Tower, Dingwall. Take in the panoramic views of the magnificent surrounding countryside.

NB: The Society’s Bard will be giving a short history at each of the venues we visit.

For more information contact Margaret Ann Macdonald Fraser on

01463 232275 or 07733317996 or Email:- mousefraser@aol.com

Edinburgh, Scotland

Join The Clan Currie Society in Edinburgh, Scotland for their 2011 Clan Gathering.

Activities include the unveiling of a new commemorative stone at the Scottish Writers Museum on Friday, July 22 followed by a Clan Dinner at the Royal Scots Club.

On Saturday, July 23, Clan Currie will hold their inaugural heritage symposium featuring some of the foremost authorities on Medieval Gaelic Poetry. On Sunday, July 23, join us for a leisurely cruise to the 12th Century Inchcolm Abbey followed by a box lunch and guided tour

Full Details: Robert Currie, FSA Scot, President, Clan Currie Society  

Clan Donald Commemorates Battle Of Harlaw

The Battle of Harlaw (Scottish Gaelic: Cath Gairbheach) was a Scottish clan battle fought on 24 July 1411 just north of Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. It was one of a series of battles fought during the Middle Ages between the barons of northeast Scotland against those from the west coast.

The battle was fought to resolve competing claims to the Earldom Of Ross, a large region of northern Scotland. The Duke of Albany, regent of Scotland, had taken control of the earldom as guardian of his niece Euphemia Leslie. This claim was contested by Donald, Lord Of the Isles, who had married Euphemia’s aunt Mariota. Donald invaded Ross with the intention of seizing the earldom by force.

First he defeated a force of MacKays at Dingwall. He captured the castle and then advanced on Aberdeen with 10,000 clansmen. Near Inverurie he was met by 1,000-2,000 of the local gentry, many in armour, hastily assembled by the Earl of Mar. After a day of fierce fighting there was no clear victor; Donald had lost 900 men before retreating back to the Western Isles, and Mar had lost 500. The latter could claim a strategic victory in that Aberdeen was saved, and within a year Albany had recaptured Ross and forced Donald to surrender. However Mariota was awarded the earldom of Ross in 1424 and the Lords of the Isles would keep the title for much of the 15th century.

The ferocity of Harlaw gave it the nickname “Red Harlaw”. It is remembered by a 40 feet (12.2 m) memorial on the battlefield, the Chapel of Garioch, and by ballads and music.

Wikipedia Extract

The High Council of Clan Donald will be arranging for clansfolk to attend the  commemorative service all details can be found a : The Highland Council Website 

We are now approaching the 265^th anniversary of the battle of Culloden and all the Clan Societies will be preparing this week to make the journey once again to stand on the Moor at Culloden where all their ancestors fell on that fateful day, and where the course of British, European and world history was changed at Culloden on 16th April 1746. The Clan Donalds as always will be strongly represented and I am looking forward to seeing all our Clan including the new members of The Clan Donald Society of the Highlands and Islands.

Ely MacDonald

Our trip on to Mumbia was more than enlightening and our friends as hospitable as ever I can still smell those pungent spices and can’t wait to return – I believe The Oberoi  Hotel Mumbia is one of the most spectacular I have experienced   and will never forget our stay- the Whisky  well  was served to perfection - its going great!    

Ely MacDonald

Comunn Chlann Dhòmhnaill na Gàidhealtachd ìs nan Eilean

Calling all MacDonalds and MacDonells and those of Clan Donald descent!

Saturday, 1st May, 2010 at 2:30 p.m.

The Clan Donald Society of the Highlands and Islands Inaugural Meeting at Killearnan Church Hall, Redcastle, Muir-of-Ord, IV6 7SG. 

You are invited to attend and to bring as many others with you as possible who are by birth or by marriage of Clan Donald. Ideas will be most welcome as to what form the Society should take and what activities you would like to see the Society carry out. A raffle - with prizes including a copy of Neil Oliver’s “A History of Scotland“, from the BBC series, and a paperback copy of “From Dogfight to Diplomacy” by Donald MacDonell, the 22nd Chief of Glengarry – will be held to defray the meeting costs.

If you are unable to attend but wish to join, please send your contact details to: 

Clan Donald Society of the Highlands and Islands

For those of you who have an interest in the MacIans/MacIains of Ardnamurchan, there is a Diary kept about the small village of Kilchoan, in that part of Ardnamurchan which was the seat of the Clan. It includes, amongst other things, entries about Mingary Castle, the seat of the chiefs of Clan MacIain on Ardnamurchan, and information about the history of the Clan. You will find out more at http://kilchoan.blogspot.com/

Further Reading from Ely MacDonald

Mingary Castle is situated a mile south-east of the small village of Kilchoan in Lochaber Scotland. Nestled on ridge of rock overlooking the sea, it was considered a strategically important site in terms of communication with overseas areas and as an entranceway to the Sound of Mull. The Castle fell into ruin about 600 years after its construction in the 13th century; the majority of the building, however, dates from much later than this, from the 17th century onwards.

Originally built for the Clan MacDonald of Ardnamurchan (also known as MacIain of Ardnamurchan), the castle has had many different occupants. King James IV of Scotland used it as a stronghold for fighting off Clan Donald in the late 15th century.

In 1515 the castle was besieged by the Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh and again two years later when they finally took the castle.

In 1588 the chief of the Clan MacLean of Duart Castle resided there after capturing the chief of the Clan MacIain of Ardnamurchan. Other occupants over the years included the Clan Campbell, the Earls of Argyll (in 1612), and Alasdair Colkitto MacDonald who fought the English Parliamentarians of Oliver Cromwell in 1644.

Compere Jim McColl kept the atmosphere very Jovial with his Pawky wit and professional timing makes him the envy of many professional stand up comedians.

The Finale of  “Scotland The Brave” – was spectacular including Orchestra, Pipers, Drummers and Dancers.

“ A Superb Night Had by All”   ….Well worth the journey

Next Performance April 24th, Aberdeen Music Hall 

Ely MacDonald

 Clan Donald Stone, Culloden Battlefield, Inverness

The Battle of Culloden by William Topaz McGonagall;

The Highland army was drawn up in three lines in grand array,
All eager for the fray in April the 16th day,
Consisting of the Athole Brigade, who made a grand display
On the field of Culloden on that ever-memorable day.

Likewise the Camerons, Stewarts, and Macintoshes, Maclachlans and Macleans,
And John Roy Stewart’s regiment, united into one, these are their names;
Besides the Macleods, Chisholms, Macdonalds of Clanranald and Glengarry,
Also the noble chieftain Keppoch, all eager the English to harry.

Once again we are approaching the time of year of the Battle of Culloden Commemoration , where the Gaelic Society of Inverness will hold its annual service at the Memorial Cairn – on the Culloden Battlefield, at approx 11:00am Saturday 16^th April 2011.

Clan Members, Septs and Associates will gather around the Memorial Cairn some having travelled from far and wide to take part in this Annual Reconciliation Service. 

After the Service the individual Clan Groups will march behind their clan banners to the where their ancestors fell on that fateful day the 16^th April 1746.  The headstones that bear the names of  their clans and marking the battle dead; amounting to over 1000, and who were buried by the local people some of whom were known to them and were identified by their clan badge,  or a plant sprig worn in their bonnet. 

The Clan Donald group will gather behind the banners and follow their piper, to lay wreaths at the Keppoch and Clan Donald Stones and for Clanranald, Glengarry and Glencoe on the old Clan Donald stone. Following the commemorations on Drumossie Moor – The Culloden Lunch will again take place at The Drumossie Hotel, followed by piping and speeches.

The Clan Donald Society of The Highlands and Islands  (CDSH&I) will be holdings its AGM on Saturday 30^th April at Killearnan Parish Church Hall, Ross-shire, for more information and how to become a member please visit:-

Clan Donald Society of the Highlands and Islands  

Clan Donald Society of Edinburgh, 8 Ethel Terrace, Edinburgh, EH10 5NB

Culloden Battlefield visitor centre, Culloden Moor, Inverness, IV2 5EU.

Report 25/12/2009 Destination Nigeria Voyage Complete! 

After having problems with the satellite and not being able to send emails for over thirty six hours I can confirm we are now berthed and discharging; but slowly, the North Equatorial Current was very strong and did help us along and  on our way.

The sun is up everyone is running around and the jungle is alive. The coconut trees across from us look so beautiful fluttering in the wind just as you see in some story books. The natives are up and down the lagoon in their small dug out canoes and the buzz from the jungle is real and is certainly rampant. The Monkeys in the coconut trees are smiling at me and they were all dancing a little dance to the tune Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer! 

An African Note For Christmas Thoughts

One little village in Africa decided to pray for rain, on the day of prayer, all the people gathered and only one boy came without an umbrella:   THAT IS FAITH

The feeling of a one year old when you throw him in the air he laughs as he knows that you will catch him : THAT IS TRUST

 Every time that we go to bed, we have no assurance that we will  wake up alive next day but still we have plans for tomorrow :  THAT IS HOPE

May the Almighty Father be around you; to bless you, his angels around you; for support, before you; for guidance , and behind you ; for protection.

Wishing you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

 Captain Bill MacDonald   – Aboard the Nord Farer (Lagos Nigeria)