Angus MacLeod of Assynt

Biographical Summary

"II. Angus Macleod, second of Assynt, who married his cousin, Margaret, daughter of Malcolm Beag Mackintosh, X. of Mackintosh, and widow of Alexander Matheson, " Alastair MacRuairi," of Lochalsh, beheaded on the Castle Hill, Edinburgh, shortly after 1427, in which year he was taken prisoner along with the Earl of Ross, and several other Highland Chiefs at Inverness. Matheson's widow was left Tutrix to her eldest son, John, the young heir of Lochalsh. Angus Macleod of Assynt was induced to marry her by the extent of property committed to her care, and he was apparently determined to take possession of it and hold it for himself, right or wrong. The immediate result of the marriage was the flight of John Matheson's heir to his grandfather, Malcolm Mackintosh, X. of Mackintosh, while his younger brother, Donald Ban Matheson, fled to Sutherlandshire, where he became progenitor of the Mathesons of Shinness and Achany in that county. Angus Macleod of Assynt was thus left at liberty to enjoy, without interference, the property which he had taken possession of on his marriage to the heir's mother. This enjoyment he continued until young Matheson grew up, when he solicited the assistance of his relative, Mackintosh of Mackintosh, in the effort which he was about to make to regain possession of his father's heritage. Mackintosh at once consented, after which Matheson communicated his intentions to his friends in Lochalsh, all of whom agreed to help him and to enter cordially into his plans...

...By Margaret Mackintosh of Mackintosh, and widow of Alexander Matheson of Lochalsh, Angus Macleod had issue —

• Angus Mor, his heir and successor.
• Roderick ;
• Norman ; and
• John. John, the youngest, had two sons of his own — Neil and John Mor. Neil was killed " by the Sutherland men of Torran-Dow-Reawigh," leaving no issue, and John Mor was wounded at the same battle. This last-named John left issue, his descendants being known as " Sliochd Ian Mhoir."

On his death in Lochalsh, Angus was succeeded by his eldest son."

SOURCE: History of the Macleods with genealogies of the principal families of the name; Alexander Mackenzie; 1889; page 399