Much has been written on this well known Scottish clan, and we by no means attempt to write a definitive account here. Only that Tolmie as a sept has a long association with this ancient Scottish Clan via the MacLeods of Gairloch and Lewis (Lewes). The MacLeods of Lewis being the last senior cadet family of Clan MacLeod, from which the Tolmie sept come from. 

​Today Clan MacLeod is represented by Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod, 30th Chief of Clan MacLeod. The Chiefly seat has been Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye - held by this clan for over 800 years.​

Crest of Clan MacLeod of MacLeod (http://en.wikipedia.org/)

clan macleod

Crest of MacLeods of Lewis (http://en.wikipedia.org/)

dunvegan castle

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The Chiefs of Clan MacLeod

The direct lineage of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod spread 800 years from there Nordic ancestor Leod till today.
​

• Leod (Leòd) (c.1215-c.1280), First Chief
• Tormod (Norman) (c.1250-c.1320), Second Chief
• Malcolm (Gillecaluim) (c.1280-c.1355), Third Chief
• John (Iain Ciar) (c.1315-c.1392), Fourth Chief
• William 'the clerk' (Uilleam Cleireach), (c.1320-c.1404), Fifth Chief
• John 'the turbulent' (Iain Borb) (c.1394-c.1466), Sixth Chief
• William 'the longsword' (Uilleam Dubh), (c.1415-c.1483), Seventh Chief
• Alexander 'the humpedback', (Alasdair Crotach) (c.1455-1547), Eighth Chief
• William (Uilleam) (c.1512-1551), Ninth Chief
• Mary (Muire) (c.1543-after 1602), Tenth Chief
• Donald (c.1514-1556), Eleventh Chief
• Norman (Tormod), (c.1516-1585), Twelfth Chief
• William (Uilleam) (c.1561-1590), Thirteenth Chief
• John (Iain) (c.1586-1595), Fourteenth Chief
• Sir Roderick (Rory Mor; Ruairidh Mor), (c.1565-1626), Fifteenth Chief
• John (Iain Mor), (c.1600-1649), Sixteenth Chief
• Roderick 'the Witty' (Ruairidh Mir), (c.1635-1664), Seventeenth Chief
• John 'the Speckled' (Iain Breac) (c.1637-1693), Eighteenth Chief
• Roderick (Ruairidh Og), (1674-1699), Nineteenth Chief
• Norman (Tormod) (c.1685-1706), Twentieth Chief
• John (Iain) (1704-1706), Twenty First Chief
• Norman (Tormod)'the Wicked', (c.1705-1772), Twenty Second Chief
• Norman (Tormod)'the General' (1754-1801), Twenty Third Chief
• John Norman (Iain Tormod) (1788-1835), Twenty Fourth Chief
• Norman (Tormod) (1812-1895), Twenty Fifth Chief
• Norman Magnus (Tormod Manus) (1839-1929), Twenty Sixth Chief
• Sir Reginald (Tormod) (1847-1935), Twenty Seventh Chief
• Dame Flora Louise Cecilia (Flòraidh Liùsaidh Sile) (1878-1976), Twenty Eighth Chief
• John (Iain) (1935-2007), Twenty-Ninth Chief
• Hugh Magnus, (Hùisdean Manus) (born 1973), Thirtieth Chief

(Source: www.clanmacleod.org)

Scottish Clans: The Story behind Clan MacLeod, an introduction to Clan MacLeod. (Carl MacDougall, Scottish Clan Author & Broadcaster) (2min)

BBC Presenter/ Broadcaster Paul Murton uncovers the history of a 16th century MacLeod clan that flourished in Scottish history. (30min)

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Isle of Skye
​Dear to me, my Isle of Skye
Land of rugged mountains high
Peat smoke curling up anew
And the drift of flowers blue
Scents the morning air of Skye.

Virgin streams in crystal burst
From the corries steep and wild
Sea birds wheeling o'er the bay
Blackcock crooning his deep lay
Would I were in lovely Skye.

Lichen decked in silken sheen
Fairy knows in quite serene
Moonlight meets Atlantic mist
Seas and glens are silver-kissed
Oh, to see my isle of Skye.

'signed KJA for Chief Dame Flora MacLeod'

(Source: Poem was found written inside fronts piece of a first edition copy of I.F. Grants book, The Clan MacLeod, signed K.J.A for Chief Flora)

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©James McKay, 2019-2022 (https://www.iponz.govt.nz/about-ip/copyright/)