Roderick Macleod of Macleod

For other people named Roderick Macleod, see Roderick Macleod (disambiguation).

Sir Roderick Macleod of Macleod (1573–1626), also known as Rory Mor, was the 15th chief of Clan MacLeod. His seat as Clan Chief was Dunvegan Castle.

Biography

In 1595 he went to Ireland with 500 of his clan to assist Hugh Roe O'Donnell with his war against the English. Upon his return he became involved in a feud with his Brother-in-law Donald Gorm MacDonald, who was Chief of the powerful Clan MacDonald of Sleat. The two clans had fought together in Ireland and had now become enemies when for some reason MacDonald rejected his wife, Sir Roderick's sister, and became very hostile towards his old allies. After a year of feuding the two Clans finally met in the Battle of Coire Na Creiche and the MacLeods were defeated. This was the last Clan battle on the Isle of Skye.

In December 1597, an act of the Estates was passed that required that all the Chieftains and Landlords of the Highlands and the Western Isles to produce their title-deeds under pain of forfeiture. Roderick ignored the act and a gift of his estates were given to a number of Fife gentlemen for the purpose of colonisation. After these attempts were dealt with he was ultimately successful getting a remission from King James VI of Scotland dated 4 May 1610 for his lands of Harris, Dunvegan and Glenelg.

He married Isabella MacDonald, daughter of the 8th Chief of Clan MacDonald of Glengarry:

• Margaret MacLeod of Macleod who married Hector Mor Maclean, 16th Chief
• Mary MacLeod of Macleod who married Sir Lachlan Maclean, 1st Baronet
• Ian Mor Macleod of Macleod, 16th Chief who married Sybella Mackenzie, daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie, 1st Lord Mackenzie of Kintail and Anne Ross. He died in September 1649.
• Sir Norman Macleod of Bernera who married Katherine Macdonald, daughter of Sir James Mor Macdonald, 9th Laird of Sleat, 2nd Baronet and Margaret Mackenzie.

References

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