Norman MacLeod of MacLeod

Norman MacLeod of MacLeod was born on 18 July 1812 at Dunvegan, Skye.[1] He was the son of John Norman MacLeod of MacLeod (1788–1835),[2] 24th chief of Clan MacLeod and his wife Anne Stephenson (−1861).[3] He was educated at Harrow and then went abroad to Paris and Vienna. In 1835, when he was 23 years of age, his father died, and succeeded to the chiefship of Clan MacLeod.[1]

MacLeod of MacLeod attempted many costly improvements at Dunvegan Castle, as well as unsuccessful ventures in farming; and greatly encumbered the clan estates and thus ruined himself.[1]

During the enthusiasm for the Volunteer movement following an invasion scare in 1859, a group from the South Kensington Museum, headed by Macleod, approached the War Office with an offer to raise two companies from the engineering and allied professions. The proposal was accepted in January 1860 and enlistment of the 1st Middlesex Engineers began on 6 February, creating the first Engineer Volunteer Corps. MacLeod was appointed Captain in command and a year later was promoted to Major and then Lieutenant-Colonel as the unit rapidly grew beyond its initial two companies. MacLeod relinquished command in 1871 and was appointed Honorary Colonel of the corps.[4][5]

In 1837, MacLeod of MacLeod married the Hon. Louisa Barbara St. John (1818–1880), only daughter of the 14th Baron St John of Bletso. In this first marriage, MacLeod of MacLeod had a daughter and four sons. His daughter Louisa married John Moyer Heathcote. In 1881 he married, secondly, Hanna, daughter of Baron von Ettingshausen (Austria). MacLeod of MacLeod had no children in his second marriage.[1]

Norman MacLeod of MacLeod died in Paris, France on 5 February 1895; and was buried at Duirinish Church at Dunvegan.[1]

Norman MacLeod of MacLeod's eldest son, Norman Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod (1839–1929), succeeded him as 26th chief of the clan. The 26th chief died without male issue.[6] Norman MacLeod of MacLeod's second eldest son, Torquil Olave (1841–1857) had earlier died without issue as well.[7] Norman Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod was, therefore, succeeded by Norman MacLeod of MacLeod's third son, Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod (1847–1935), as the 27th chief of Clan MacLeod. Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod had no sons, but two daughters. After his death he was succeeded by his eldest daughter Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod (1878–1976), 28th chief and first female chief of the clan.[8][9]

His coat of arms is described thus:

Shield

I and IV azure a castle triple towered and embattled argent masoned sable windowed and porched gules and II and III gules three legs in armour proper garnished and spurred Or flexed and conjoined in triangle at the upper part of the thigh.

Crest and mantle

Upon a torse Or and azure, A bull's head cabossed sable horned Or between two flags gules staves sable, the mantling azure double Or.

Supporters

Two lions reguardant gules armed and langued azure each holding a dagger proper.