The MacLeods of Dunvegan – new edition republished!

The MacLeods of Dunvegan: From the Time of Leòd to the end of the Seventeenth Century

by the Rev. Canon R C MacLeod  (1852-1934)

Written by the Rev. Canon Roderick Charles MacLeod in the 1920s and subtitled ‘From the Time of Leòd to the End of the Seventeenth Century’, this book is a significant contribution to the history of Clan MacLeod. The author was of the Chiefly family and had access to papers not available to many historians.

Starting with Leòd’s Norse forebears, the reader follows the story of how Leòd (circa 1200 – 1280) acquired his lands and became the founding Chief of the MacLeods of Dunvegan. It progresses through various generations of Chiefs until Ian Breac, born in 1637, who ruled the clan from 1664 to 1693. These were troubled times for the Highland and Hebridean clans with sovereignty of Scotland passing from Norway to Scotland, followed by an era of political control exercised by rebellious Lords of the Isles and equally rebellious Clan Chiefs.

The penultimate chapter deals with more modern events, the Jacobite ’45, the 1773 visit of Johnson and Boswell, and the potato famine. The final chapter focuses on the construction of Dunvegan Castle and some Clan traditions such as the Fairy Flag.

The MacLeods of Dunvegan was first published in 1927 by The Clan MacLeod Society. The Associated Clan MacLeod Societies has now republished this new 184 page paperback edition which has been freshly typeset and includes many upgraded illustrations. Available through Amazon outlets worldwide – more details in the Clan MacLeod website merchandising section.