Clanranald

Branches of the clan

There are several branches of Clan Macdonald of Clanranald; these include the Macdonalds of Glenaladale, the Macdonalds of Kinlochmoidart, the Macdonalds of Belfinlay, the Macdonalds of Boisdale, and also a certain family of Maceachainn/Macdonalds. The Macdonalds of Glenaladale descend from John Og, second son of John Moidartach, 8th of Clanranald. They were known in Gaelic as Clann Mhic Ian Oig. The Macdonalds of Kinlochmoidart descend from John, fourth son of Allan, 8th of Clanranald. The Macdonalds of Belfinlay descend from James, second son of Ranald, 2nd of Benbecula, grandson of Allan, 9th of Clanranald. The Macdonalds of Boisdale descend from Donald of Benbecula, 16th of Clanranald. Following the extinction of the main branch of Clanranald in 1944, the competing claims of the Belfinlay and Boisdale branches to the Captaincy of the Clan were adjudged by the Court of the Lord Lyon in favour of the Boisdale branch in 1957.