Mac
Mhic Ailein -
Macdonald of Clanranald
 Ranald
Alexander Macdonald of Clanranald, 24th Captain and Chief of
Clanranald.
Clanranald spent most of his early
life in England where he was educated. His father, a Royal Marine,
died just before World War II, and his young mother was left with
the job of raising a son alone.
After School, Clanranald was out in
Hong Kong with the services, and subsequently did twelve years as a
territorial officer in the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders,
headquartered in Inverness, mostly commanding the South Uist unit.
In due course, Clanranald moved to
London to start his own company, developing various businesses in
the commercial Interior environment. During his career, Clanranald
served as a senior committee member of the British Contract
Furnishing Association, becoming their president in the late 1970s.
Clanranald sold his business interests in the late 1990s and retired
to his home at Killin, Perthshire, in the central Highlands of
Scotland.
Whilst living between London and his
home in Killin, Clanranald worked on many Clan and Highland heritage
projects. He is a founding trustee, and at one time, chief executive
of the highly acclaimed Clan Donald Lands Trust in Skye, which was
created in 1971 by the Clan Donald Chiefs to make a home and
headquarters for Clan Donald worldwide on part of the Clan's ancient
territories.
Clanranald is also a Trustee of the
Finlaggan Castle trust on Islay, which has done tremendous work
stabilising and interpreting that ruin known as the cradle of Clan
Donald.
Clanranald is a keen yachtsman. His
interest in boats, and the critical assistance of his good friend
Wallace Clark, with important contributions from many other people,
led to the Building of Aileach, a 40 foot replica of a 16th
Century West Highland Celtic Galley. Since her construction,
Aileach has had many adventures, including surviving a gale in
the North Atlantic on her way to the Faroe Islands.
Clanranald is also closely involved in
the efforts of Mr Lex Brown owner of Castle Tioram, to restore that
ancient Clanranald stronghold to its 17th Century glory, as a home
for Lex and a world Headquarters to members of Clanranald.
Clanranald is vice-President of the
Highland Society of London, having been President in the late 1980s.
The Society is a distinguished and ancient charity for Highlanders
founded in 1782, with a history of major influence, and success in
having the act banning Tartan and the bagpipe repealed.
Clanranald's elder son and heir,
Ranald Og Angus Macdonald younger of Clanranald is a successful
restauranteur with two fine restaurants called 'Boisdale' in London,
one in Belgravia and the other on Bishopsgate in the city. Ranald
and his wife Kate have four children Alice aged 10 Ranald 8 and the
twin boys Angus and Hector aged 4. When not in London, Ranald and
his family can be found at Morenish House, Killin, Perthshire.
Clanranald descends directly from the
Boisdale branch of Clanranald, so his younger son Andrew Ivar, bears
the Arms of Macdonald of Boisdale. Recently married in 2001 to
beautiful Italian Delphine, in August 2002 they were blessed with
their first child a boy named Somerled. Andrew and his wife live in
London, where he is a management consultant with interests in South
America, where he is often to be found.
Clanranald's daughter, Kate, is a well
known painter with studios in Santiago, Chile, where she finds the
climate and pace of life agreeable. She exhibits there and in
Europe, and was recognised in 2000 with an award as Chile's best
young artist.
In matters of protocol, it is usual to
introduce Clanranald for the first time as The Captain of
Clanranald, subsequently as Clanranald. The use of the hereditary
courteous title of Captain goes back to the 1400's and denotes
princely rank.
Sloinneadh: Ragnhaill Alasdair
mac Coinneach Alasdair mhic Tearlach 'ic Raibheart 'ic Raibheart 'ic
Cailein 'ic Alasdair 'ic Domhnaill 'ic Ragnhaill Og 'ic Ragnhaill 'ic
Ailein 'ic Iain Muideartach 'ic Alasdair 'ic Ailein 'ic Ruairidh 'ic
Ailein 'ic Ragnhaill 'ic Eoin 'ic Aonghais Og 'ic Aonghais Mhor 'ic Domhnaill 'ic
Ragnhaill 'ic Somhairle.
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