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Clan MacLeod (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Clan MacLeod

Gaelic Name: MacLeòid

Clan Crest: A bull’s head cabossed Sable, horned Or, between two flags Gules, staved at the First

Clan Motto: Hold Fast

Clan Badge: Juniper

Lands: Skye and Harris

Clan Chief: Hugh MacLeod of MacLeod

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MacLeod Clan History

The clan of MacLeod, descended from the Norse kings of Man and the North Isles, was divided into two branches: the MacLeods of Skye and the MacLeods of Lewis. The Skye MacLeods established the seat at Dunvegan, which is still the chief's seat today.

The name "Siol Tormod" comes from Tormod, the grandson of Olaf the Black, who founded the MacLeod clan. Tormod's son backed Robert the Bruce in the War of Independence, but the MacLeods maintained their own sense of independence despite the treacherous politics of fourteenth and fifteenth century Scotland.

The clan's survival during the reign of James V was largely due to the 8th chief of Dunvegan, Alasdair Crotach, or "Hump-Back" as he was known. During his reign, the famous Dunvegan fairy tower was built, which is now regarded as one of the finest monuments in the Hebrides. He was also a well-known patron of the arts, encouraging activities such as piping and pibroch music.

Ruaraidh Mor, the 15th chief, continued Alasdair Crotach's work and succeeded in establishing Dunvegan as the cultural center of the isles. His name lives on in the form of a massive drinking horn that is an essential part of every MacLeod chief's rite of passage. The horn, which holds 1.5 bottles of claret, must be consumed in one draft "without setting down or falling down."

The Fairy Flag of Dunvegan is one of the clan's most prized possessions. It is said to have magical properties and to have been woven by fairies. It has been kept at Dunvegan for centuries and is said to bring the Clan MacLeod luck and fortune.

MacLeod Places & People

People of Clan MacLeod

Roderick MacLeod died in 1626.

He was the 15th clan chief and an important cultural figure of his time, known as Ruaraidh Mor. Patrick Mor MacCrimmon composed the famous "Rory Mor's Lament" about him.

Norman MacLeod was born in 1780.

He was a mesmerizing preacher who founded religious communities in Nova Scotia, Australia, and New Zealand. He had devoted parishioners who followed him all over the world.

Norman MacLeod (1783-1862).

He was a Gaelic writer who published the anthology "Carald nan Gaidheal," which was once found in every home in the Highlands of Scotland. Dr. George MacLeod (b.1895) became the Leader of the Iona Community in 1937, whose mission is to restore the buildings of Scotland's most sacred site in order to fulfill the prophecy that "Iona will be as it was" before the end of the world.

MacLeod Tartans

Ancient MacLeod of Harris

Harris MacLeod Modern

Weathered MacLeod of Harris

Raasay of MacLeod

MacLeod Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan MacLeod Crest

A cabossed bull's head serves as the crest. Staved at the First Sable, horned Or, between two flags Gules

Coats of Arms of MacLeod

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.

MacLEOD of Dunvegan and MacLeod

Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Argent, masoned, Sable, windows and porch, Gules (for MacLeod); 2nd and 3rd, Gules, three legs in armour, Proper, garnished and spurred, Or, flexed and conjoined in triangle at the upper part of the thigh (for the Royal House of Man).

Rasay of MacLeod

ARMS: Quarterly—1st: Or, an azure mountain inflamed: proper. 2nd: Gu., the three legs of Man, armed: proper—conjoined in the center at the upper end of the thigh, flexed in triangle, the spurs, or. 3d: Or, a galley with furled sails and flying pennons, sa. 4th: Gu., a rampant lion, arg. An inescutcheon, MacLeod of Rasay per pale, gu. and sa., a fess, between three fleurs-de-lis, or.