Clan Macdonald of Clanranald - History of The Macdonalds of Clanranald - 18th Century

18th Century

Allan was mortally wounded at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715 and died at Drummond Castle the next day. He was buried at Innerpeffray, which was the burial place of the Perth family. He was succeeded by his brother, Ranald. Ranald, 15th of Clanranald never married and died at Fauborg St Germains, in 1725 and was buried in Paris. He was succeeded by Donald Macdonald of Benbecula, to whom the forfeited Clanranald estates were later restored. Donald, 16th of Clanranald died in 1730 and was buried at Cladh Mhuire, Nunton. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Ranald. Ranald, 17th of Clanranald was born in 1692. He refused to aid Charles Edward Stuart and the Jacobites during the 1745 Rebellion. The chief however did not stop his eldest son and heir, Ranald, from doing so. He died at Nunton in 1766, where he was buried. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Ranald. Ranald, 18th of Clanranald was educated in France where he became acquainted with Charles Edward Stuart. While his father was still chief of the clan, Ranald was, along with Macdonald of Kinlochmoidart and his brother Macdonald of Glenaladale, the first to join Charles Edward Stuart in 1745. After deciding to join, Ranald raised 250 clansmen and after the raising of the standard at Glenfinnan, Ranald lead 500 men to Dundee arriving there on 8 September and proclaimed James Francis Edward Stuart as king. The Macdonalds of Clanranald were present at the Battle of Prestonpans and the Battle of Falkirk. The Clanranald regiment, led by Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair, which fought at the Battle of Culloden in April 1746, consisted of 200 men. During the battle the Macdonald regiments were located on the Jacobite extreme left wing instead of their preferred place on the right wing. Popular legend has it that these regiments refused to charge when ordered to do so, due to the perceived insult of being placed on the left wing. The Clanranald regiment was disbanded at Fort Augustus, two days after their defeat at Culloden. Following the defeat of the Jacobite rebellion, Ranald spent some time in France, before finally returning to Scotland. He died at Nunton in 1776, where he was buried. He was succeeded by his eldest son, John Moidartach. John Moidartach, 19th of Clanranald died in Edinburgh in 1794 and was buried at Holyrood. He was succeeded by his eldest surviving son, Ranald George.