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Preserved Edinburgh Society
CLAN DONALD GENEALOGY
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 - Yes, date unknown
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| Name |
William 1 MACDONALD |
| Suffix |
of Aird & Vallay |
| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
Yes, date unknown |
| Person ID |
I4708 |
My Genealogy |
| Last Modified |
28 Nov 2021 |
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| Notes |
- William Macdonald, 1st of Aird & Vallay, Tutor of Sleat.
DUNTULM CASTLE was formerly, the residence of Clann Domhnuill called "The Lords of the Isles." Sir Alexander Macdonald's great-grandfather, viz., the first Sir James, built a large circular tower (now demolished) at the house of Monkstadt, in which the family resided afterwards for many years. An establishment was, however, kept up at Duntulm Castle for a long time after the death of Sir James. The last of the family born there was Domhnull Ban, only son of Sir Donald Macdonald, commonly called "Domhnull a' Chogaidh," and great-grandson of Sir James. He was an amiable, much beloved, and promising youth, but he died, greatly lamented, by the bursting of a blood vessel, when on a visit to the Island of Berneray, in the Sound of Harris. The family afterwards resided alternately at Monkstadt, in Troternish, and at Armadale, in the parish of Sleat. William the "Taightear" or Tutor, was likewise born in Duntulm Castle. His elder brother was Domhnull a' Chogaidh, and their father was Sir Donald Macdonald, commonly called Domhnull Breac, who was married to Lady Mary Douglas. William the Taightear was major under the Earl Of Mar in the battle of Sheriffmuir, and his brother Domhnull a'
Chogaidh, while on his way to that bloody field, was seized with a fit of paralysis at Perth, wbich disabled him from proceeding farther. On account of the part which Domhnull a' Chogaidh and his vassals took in that rebellion, his estates were forfeited to the Crown. For some years afterwards the barony of Troternish was managed by a Government factor of the name of Donald Macleod, alias " Domhnull Mac Ruairidh Mhic Uilleim," whose services were anything but acceptable to the inhabitants of Troternish. At length the Property was returned by the Crown, not, however, to the rightful heir, but to William the Taightear, who got possession of it in his own name. No sooner, however had this taken place than he delivered it over to his brother Domhnull a' Chogaidh. The Taightear lived and died at Aird, a place about two miles north of Duntulm Castle. His remains were interred in the parish burying-ground, Quite near the spot where the remains of the celebrated Flora Macdonald were buried many years afterwards. The funeral of the Taightear was attended by many thousands from all parts of Skye and of the adjacent isles. An idea may be formed of the number present on that occasion when it is stated that the procession was two miles in length, with six men walking abreast. Seven pipers were in attendance, who, by having been placed at certain distances in the procession, severally played the usual "coronach," or funeral lament, all the way from the residence of the deceased to the cemetery. Upwards of three hundred imperial gallons of whisky were provided for the occasion, with every other necessary refreshment. Except the funeral of Flora Macdonald, which as to numbers was similarly attended, that of the Taightear was the largest ever known in Skye.
As has been already stated, the Crown appointed the above-named "Domhnull Mac Ruairidh Mhic Uilliem" as Government factor over the barony of Troternish. He occupied the farm of Gienbrittle, on the property of Macleod of Dunvegan, and in the parish or Bracadale. He was a man possessed of considerable talents and accuteness of mind - a firm adherent of the reigning Government, and an inveterate enemy to all who professed Jacobite Principles.
The Celtic Magazine
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| Sources |
- [S30] Vallay, Allan Macdonald of, Private communication. (Reliability: 0).
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