Rev. Alexander MacDonald

Biographical Summary

"Alexander Macdonald, fourth son of Angus Og M. of Milton and Mary MacLean of Boreray ; educated at Univ. of Glasgow ; M.A. (16th July 1674) ; adm. about 1687 ; deprived for non-jurancy 26th Oct. 1697, but continued to minister to the Protestants of Eilean Finain till his death at Dalelea, Loch Shiel, 25th May 1724. He has been described "as a man of candour, ingenuity, and conscience," and like his predecessor M'Calman, possessed great physical strength and endurance, and is still remembered in the Highlands under the name of Maighstir Alasdair. He marr. a Morven lady of the name of Maclachlan, and had issue —

• Angus, captain in the Clanranald Regiment in 1745
• Alexander, a celebrated Gaelic poet as Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair, educated at Univ. of Glasgow, schoolmaster and elder in the parish, he adopted Roman Catholicism, was an officer in Highland Army in 1745, and after Culloden became landsteward to Clanranald in the Isle of Canna and farmed Eigneig in Glenuig, died at Sandaig, Arisaig, about 1770, and was buried at Kilinboree
• Lachlan, tacksman of Gerrihellie and Dremisdale, South Uist
• James, tacksman of Gerrihellie
• Margaret (marr. Lachlan MacLean of Torrestan)."

SOURCE: Fasti ecclesiae scoticanae: the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the reformation, Vol. IV, page 106