Malcolm Macleod, 9th of Lewis

IX MALCOLM MACLEOD OF LEWIS

The History of the MacLeods: pp. 292-5 for the family of IX Malcolm MacLeod of Lewis

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

29 June 1511: Charter by which James IV, King of Scots, confirms that he has given the lands and castle of Lewis and Wattirnes, the lands of Assynt in Sutherland, and the lands of Coidgeaich in the sheriffdom of Ross, to MALCOLMO MAKCLODE, son and heir of the deceased RORY MAKCOLDE OF LEWIS, and his male heirs. These lands, which had been in the king's hands because of forfeiture and non entry, were incorporated by him nto the free lordship and barony of Lewis. RMS, 1424-1513: 3578

Genealogy

1. History of the Macleods with genealogies of the principal families of the name. By Alexander Mackenzie (1889), page 288
2. Stirne[t: Macleod 06

Biographical Summary

"IX. Maclcolm Macleod, Brother of the forfeited Torquil, who is described in the document as Malcolmo Makloid jilio et liceredi quondam Roderieo M'Cloid. He is granted " the lands and castle of Lewis, and Waternish in the Lordship of the Isles, with other lands, erected in his favour into the barony and lordship of Lewis, the place and castle of Stornochway to be the chief messuage." In 1515, when the Regent Duke of Albany commissioned John Maclan of Ardnamurchan to reduce to obedience the inhabitants of parts of the Isles who had supported Sir Donald of Lochalsh in his attempts to gain the Lordship of the Isles, and to promise the less violent of them the favour of the Crown, with remission for their past crimes, provided they made their submission, promised obedience in future, and made restitution to those who had suffered by their conduct, Malcolm was one of the Chiefs specially exempted from the Royal clemency. He is again on record in 1517.

In 1518-19 Sir Donald Gallda Macdonald of Lochalsh, accompanied by the Macleods of Lewis and Raasay, invaded Ardnamurchan, where, by pre-arrangement, they met Alexander Macdonald of Islay ; and having united their forces, they attacked Maclan, whom they overtook at Craig-an-Airgid, in Morvern, defeated and slew him there with two of his sons, John Suaineartach and Angus, and many more of his followers. Sir Donald of Lochalsh died soon after this raid, and nothing more is heard of Malcolm Macleod, who appears to have died about 1528.

From the date of the raid to Ardnamurchan till about 1532 the lands and barony of Lewis were taken possession of and held by John, son and direct male heir of Torquil Macleod forfeited in 1506, and the nephew of Malcolm, to whom the estates had then been granted by the Crown. On the death of Malcolm, whose son Roderick was a minor, John Mac Torquil, aided by Donald Gruamach of Sleat and his followers, seized the whole Island. All the vassals of the barony followed his banner, and, though excluded from the legal succession by his father's forfeiture, every one of them acknowledged him as their natural leader by right of birth ; and he was able to keep possession of the estates and the command of the Siol Torquil during the remainder of his life. In 1530 his name appears with nine others of the Highland Chiefs who made offers of submission to the King through the instrumentality of Hector Maclean of Duart.

John Mac Torquil was married, without male issue. But he had one daughter, Margaret, who married Donald Gorm, fifth of Sleat, and after her father's death her claims to the estates were supported by his whole kindred, and by the Macdonalds of Sleat. An amicable arrangement was, however, ultimately arrived at.

Writing under date of 1532-39, Gregory says, of John Mac Torquil — " that Chief, the representative of an elder, though forfeited branch of the family of Lewis, had obtained possession of the estates and leading of his tribe ; and, although he did not hold these by any legal title, the claims of his daughter after his death were far from contemptible, especially when supported by the influence of the Clandonald. A compromise seems to have been entered into between Donald Gorme and Ruari Macleod, the legal heir of the Lewis, as formerly held by Malcolm Macleod, his father, and the last lawful possessor."

Malcolm Macleod married Christian, daughter of Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty, with issue —

• Roderick, his heir and successor.
• Malcolm Garbh, from whom the Macleods of Raasay.
• Norman, ancestor of the Macleods of Eddrachilles.

In 1532, on the death of John Mac Torquil, Malcolm's nephew, who had been in undisturbed possession since Malcolm's death."

SOURCE: History of the Macleods with genealogies of the principal families of the name; Alexander Mackenzie; 1889; page 292