Tormod MacLeod of Assynt

Biographical Summary

"Tormod or Norman Macleod, the first of that family and name who possessed the extensive lands of Assynt, which are situated on the mainland, opposite the Lewis, in the County of Sutherland. The district of Assynt is said to have belonged to the Thanes of Sutherland before it became the property of the MacNicols, the first of whom received it as a reward for having recovered a great number of cattle carried away from the county of Sutherland by a horde of Scandinavians, who, in addition to stealing the cattle, set fire to the magnificent fir forest which at that time covered Assynt, and other extensive woods in the adjoining districts. Tormod died in the reign of James I. [1406- 1437]. He married, with issue —

• Angus, who was called " Old Angus " by the men of Assynt.
• John Riabhach, who possessed Coigeach, and was famed for his valour and manhood. He had one son, John Mor, of whom the " Sliochd Ian Riabhaich."
• Tormod Ban, of whose descendants, if any, nothing is known.

He was succeeded by his eldest son."

SOURCE: History of the Macleods with genealogies of the principal families of the name; Alexander Mackenzie; 1889; page 398