It is difficult in a short sketch to outline the history of the various branches of the Clan Donald, and they are so interwoven with each other it is almost impossible to disentangle the respective families.

Somerled, Regulus of the Isles, from whom the clan trace their descent, was instrumental, in the twelfth century, in expelling the Norsemen from the Western Isles. He was killed at Renfrew in 1164, where he, with his army, were determined to do battle with Malcolm IV. He was succeeded by his son Reginald, Lord, or King of the Isles, from whom descended the clans MacDonald and MacRurie. From Dugall, the brother of Reginald, are descended the Clan MacDugall. Reginald was liberal to the Church and founded the Monastery of Saddell. His son, Donald “ de Isla” succeeded him, and under his guidance the clan attained great eminence. He died in 1289. He was succeeded by his son Angus who supported Haco, but did not suffer from the latter’s defeat at Largs in1263. Angus Og supported Robert the Bruce and increased the family possessions considerably.

His son, John, in 1354 assumed the title of Lord of the Isles. His son Donald “ of Harlaw” followed as 2nd Lord of the Isles. He married the only daughter of the Countess of Ross, and claimed the Earldom of Ross, which claim he afterwards renounced and became a vassal of the Crown. He died in 1423, and his son Alexander succeeded and became Earl of Ross on the death of his mother, and the title was acknowledged by the Crown in 1430. For a period he was Justiciar of Scotland. He died in 1448 and was succeeded by his son John, 4th Lord of the Isles, who rebelled against the Crown and declared his own independence.

After a long and stormy life, during which the Earldom of Ross was annexed to the Crown, and the Lordship of the Isles was forfeited, John died without legitimate issue in 1498.