Alberta Clan MacLeod Society

History

BRIEF MACLEOD HISTORY and FORMATION OF SOCIETIES

The full MacLeod history will not be repeated here, as it is more than amply described on many websites, including these three main sites below: –

Associated Clan MacLeod Societies: www.clanmacleod.org

Clan MacLeod Society of Scotland: www.clan-macleod-scotland.org.uk

Dunvegan Castle: www.dunvegancastle.mmidev.co.uk

Just a few quick, summary, points:

  • Leod, progenitor of the Clan, lived in the early 1200s.  He was son of Olaf, King of Man & The North Isles, and descended from Norse kings.
  • The surnames MacLeod, McLeod (and variants) are Anglicisation’s of the Gaelic Mac Leòid, meaning “son of Leod”.  Leod comes from the Old Norse, Ljótr, which means “ugly”, or “ugly wolf”.  So the name MacLeod means “son of the ugly”
    • However, Leod could have been handsome!  I have a theory, with no historical support (or rebuttal), that Leod was actually very handsome.  Leod was born very close in time to the days of Robin Hood.  One of Robin Hood’s “merry men” was “Little John”, who was actually a large man.  So if a large man would be called “little”, it stands to reason that a very handsome man could be called “the ugly”.  This theory works for me!
  • Leod’s two sons, Tormod & Torquil, founded the Clan’s two main branches: MacLeods of MacLeod (or Harris) & of Lewis (or “of the Lewes”).
  • Historically, the MacLeod lands were on the Western Isles of Skye, Lewis, Harris & Raasay and on the NW coast of Scotland (Assynt, Coigeach, Gairloch & Glenelg).
  • Today, the Clan is centred on the Isle of Skye at Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Great Britain.
  • Chiefs:  For more detail, see the text later in this document.  The Clan is led (since February 12, 2007) by Chief Hugh MacLeod of MacLeod, the 30th Chief of the Clan MacLeod of MacLeod, supported by the Chiefs of the MacLeod’s of Raasay and Lewis, being brothers:
    • (Torquil) Donald MacLeod, Chief of the Lewes, since March 6, 2001
    • John MacLeod, 18th Chief of Raasay, since December 8, 1999
  • Emigration: Many MacLeods emigrated to the world, from the mid-1700s to the late 1800s, due to:
    • Political persecution (particularly the British purges of Highlanders following Culloden in 1746);
    • Economic hardship, arising from:
      • The Clearances (forced tenant farmers out, about 1762 through 1850); and
      • The potato famines (about 1846 – 1857), which were also hitting Ireland;
    • Work and land opportunities elsewhere, in the Commonwealth and Continental Europe
    • Foreign military service, which, at that time, was a “profession”.
  • Foreign Successes: The MacLeods, like many Scots, excelled in their new countries, for at least three reasons:
    • They had come from a poor and often harsh environment (quite common for many immigrant groups), which equipped them to handle the rigours of the “New World”.
    • They spoke English (as well as, in many cases, Gaelic), making them, at least within the British Empire colonies, better able to adapt, and
    • Maybe most importantly, most were literate, making them valuable employees.
  • Education may have been the biggest factor in their success.  Starting from 1561, led by John Knox (Knox Presbyterianism), steps began towards a system of universal education in Scotland (Knox believed that if everyone could read their Bibles, they could be better Christians – but of course, they could read everything else as well).  By 1616 education in Scotland was mandated by legislation, backed by tax supported funding by 1633.  By 1700, a big part of Scotland was literate and Scotland’s education system had been developed well ahead of England or most other European countries. (School was attended six days a week for ten to twelve hours a day!).


Formation of Local, National and International Societies

  • National & International Societies: Clan MacLeod Societies have existed in Scotland since 1891; Glengarry, Ontario, Canada since 1936; & many others, often being formed as a result of Dame Flora’s (28th Chief) world travels in the 1940s and 1950s.
    • The Clan MacLeod Society of Glengarry was formed on November 2, 1935, by a committee of MacLeod descendants under the leadership of John D. MacLeod, this was the first Clan MacLeod Society to be formed outside of Scotland. On July 4, 1936 over one thousand MacLeods’ from across North America attended a Clan Gathering in Dunvegan, Ontario, Canada.
  • ACMS: In 1961, the Associated Clan MacLeod Societies was formed.  Today it exists as an umbrella organization for, and is governed by, the 9 National Clan MacLeod Societies around the world: Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and USA.
  • Dame Flora’s North American trips: In 1952 and 1953, Dame Flora made a tour of Canada and the United States (as well as Australia in 1954), seeking out MacLeods, and planting the seeds of local MacLeod societies.  She achieved some great success.
  • National Societies: Each National Society, depending on the size of the country and its membership, is organized and governed it its own way.  For example, Australia (society formed in 1957) and New Zealand have several “state” societies, the USA (formed 1954) has regional districts but a single national society and France, England, Germany, Scotland and South Africa have “unitary” national societies.  The Clan MacLeod Societies of Canada is an informal umbrella for about 11 local societies across Canada.
  • USA Society: The American Society was formed, in Chicago, in 1954.  They celebrated their 50th Anniversary at the North American gathering in Chicago in 2004.
  • Canadian Society: In about 1974, Arthur MacLeod Rogers went across Canada and visited local Clan MacLeod Societies or simply phoned up MacLeods in the local phone books, with a view to forming encouraging Clan MacLeod membership.  A National body was formed, under the name Clan MacLeod Societies of Canada (CMSC), in 1975, with Arthur serving as the first President (1975 – 1979).  His son, Norman, and grandson, Brian, served on National Council, all three were lawyers!.


PARLIAMENTS, GATHERINGS, EVENTS and PUBLICATIONS

Clan Parliaments and Gatherings

  • Parliaments: The 1st world gathering, or “Parliament”, was organized by Dame Flora in 1956, to coincide with her grandson, and heir apparent, John’s 21st birthday, on August 10, 1956.  Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attended that event. Initially, Parliaments were held every 3 years.  In 1974 they changed to every 4 years.  2006 was the 15th, or Jubilee Parliament.  The 1st Parliament was only 1 day.  Now it is about 10 or 11 days, and now includes trips to MacLeod lands other than just Dunvegan.
  • Youth and NRG: Each Parliament has separate activities for the younger MacLeods, in several age groups.  The most active is the North Room Group, or NRG, being the roughly 18 – 25 age group.  They were named after the room in Dunvegan Castle where the 1st such group met at the 1st Parliament (they have now much outgrown that space!). The NRG arrives several days before each Parliament and takes on a work project on a MacLeod site.  They also assist with Parliament activities.  In exchange, they receive some subsidized housing and meals.  More importantly, they develop a worldwide network of MacLeod friends (while also finding plenty of time to “socialize”).  Lifetime friendships are built, and the future leadership of the Clan is developed.
  • North American Gatherings:  In 1976 the first North American Gathering of the Clan MacLeod was hosted, in Glengarry/Ottawa.  It alternates, every 4 years (in the 2 year interval between Parliaments) between Canada and the USA.  It usually runs for about 5 days, and attracts many of the same participants as attend Parliaments.  A worldwide network of MacLeod friends is thereby strengthened.  NAG Ottawa 2008 was the 9th.
  • Other National and International Gatherings: That was the first organized gathering of MacLeod’s outside of Scotland was hosted the Glengarry MacLeods at Dunvegan, Ont, on July 4, 1936, for over 1,000 MacLeods-pre-air travel!  Today, on an irregular basis, gatherings have been held in Scotland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.

Society Events and Activities

International (ACMS):  The ACMS, operating on a very modest budget, either directly sponsors, or seeks out support for, a wide range of MacLeod projects.  In recent years, those have included:

  • The Five Genealogy Volumes.
  • The Chiefs of Clan MacLeod by Alick Morrison.
  • The Clan Magazine (twice a year)
  • “The MacLeods: The Migration of a Clan” book by Jim Hunter.
  • Repairs to the gravestone of Chief Norman MacLeod of MacLeod “The General”.
  • The Dame Flora Memorial Room in Dunvegan Village Hall.
  • Recordings of Clan Stories as told by Norman of Suardal.
  • The portrait of the late Chief John.
  • Hosting the Clan Parliament, every 4 years
  • Support for the DNA (genetics) Project
  • Genealogical research support

ACMS dues are about US$10.25 per member per year, of which about 80% funds the production and mailing of the Magazine.  All other activities are funded on less than US$2.00 per member per year.

National (CMSC):  Because each local Clan MacLeod society in Canada is autonomous, the activities of the CMSC are somewhat limited.  Activities have included:

  • The National President is both a member of, and serves on the Board of Directors of, the ACMS, so has a key role in governing the activities of the ACMS, worldwide.  This usually means that the National President travels (at his or her personal expense) to England or Scotland at least once a year, plus to Parliaments, NAGs and significant other gatherings;
  • Serving as a liaison between the Canadian Clan MacLeod members and the ACMS
  • The Leod Voice (Canadian National newsletter – twice a year)
  • Supporting our own “Coordinating Genealogist”
  • Supporting the local host community in hosting the North American Gathering (every 8 years, in Canada)
  • In 2005, providing a Clan MacLeod banner, and taking part in Alberta Centenary Celebrations, at Forts Macleod and Calgary
  • In 2008, producing a Clan MacLeod brochure (10,000 copies)
  • In 2008, profiling notable Canadian MacLeods, both currently and historically.
  • CMSC dues are about $8.00 per member per year, of which about 75% funds the production and mailing of The Leod Voice.  All other activities are funded on less than $1.50 per member per year.

Local Societies: Each has its own activities, which may include events such as ceilidhs (singing, dancing, story telling, etc), picnics, pot lucks, Robbie Burns Day (Jan 25) celebrations and curling bonspiels.  Most produce a local newsletter and participate in Scottish events & displays at Highland Games.  Some have their own web sites.

Publications

For Canadians, there are 2 twice-yearly publications delivered to every member.

  • The Clan MacLeod Magazine (international), published twice yearly, since 1935.  62 glossy pages.  Co-Editors from October 2004 (Issue 99) to October 2008 (Issue 107) were Heather J. MacLeod of Canada daughter of Ian C. MacLeod (CMSC Past President) and Ardis, and Emma Halford-MacLeod, daughter of Ruari Halford-MacLeod (CMS Scotland President) and Anne.  Emma took over on her own with the April 2009 issue (Issue 108).  This showed another NRG success – Emma and Heather met at the NRG at Parliament 1998.
  • The Leod Voice (Canada), published twice yearly since 1984.  Usually about 36 pages (b&w).  Rick Tipple was Editor from spring 1995 (Issue 23) to spring 2005 (#41).  Rick died of a heart attack in June 2005, but his wife, Judy, has been Editor ever since. In 1998 Rick Tipple named the newsletter “The Leod Voice”.  That ties into the MacLeod name, describes the newsletter’s purpose, shows how the MacLeod’s speak out and is a pun on the yellow “Loud MacLeod” tartan – all in three words!
  • History file attached below if you wish to print a copy
MacLeod_History.pdf
109.3 KB

 

A Little History About the Clan MacLeod Society of Alberta

In going over the history of our little Society it was absolutely great to find out that although we started this group in 1976, this is actually the second Clan Macleod Society that existed in Calgary or Alberta. Here is a brief history up to the early 1980’s

1976

– In April of 1976 Arthur MacLeod Rogers of the National Council of Clan MacLeod Societies of Canada visited Calgary and met with Donald J. McLeod and his wife Edna. Mr. Arthur Rogers was in Calgary for a few days and in his initial letter in April he refers to replies from Calgary MacLeod’s in regard to giving the Calgary people ‘some idea of the interest in the revival of the Clan Macleod Society of Southern Alberta¹’. He goes on to say that some 250 letters have gone out to MacLeod’s in the Calgary area and arrangements are made for him to meet with D.J. McLeod on the afternoon of April 30, 1976.

-May 6, 1976 the first meeting is held with 21 adults and two children named as joining, and one couple with the surname of MacAuley who couldn’t attend because their baby was in hospital. The venue was the Central United Church and Mr. C. Douglas (MacLeod) Morris, Chairman of the Vancouver BC Society of Clan MacLeod acted as Chairman. Donald J. MacLeod of Calgary is then elected as Chairman of the group.

July 30-Aug. 1, 1976- First North American Gathering (NAG) is held in Canada at Upper Canada Village and it was hosted by Clan MacLeod of Glengarry. Clan MacLeod of Glengarry was formed in 1936 and is the first continuing Clan MacLeod Society formed after the one in Edinburgh, Scotland.

-August 1, 1976 – 2nd meeting of the group is held as a picnic at Prince’s Island. Tunes were played by piper Gordon Gray. The next meeting was set for Oct. 2, 1976 at the home of John & Evelyn MacLeod, then to elect officers and create working committees as well as taking in memberships.

-October 2, 1976 – at the meeting they sent out membership requests in a membership drive, using both radio and a newspaper announcement, advertising for members. Next meeting set for Nov. 19, 1976 @ John & Evelyn MacLeod’s residence, again specifying that they want to elect officers etc. for 1977. The group decided that 2 or 3 meetings and 2 social gatherings per year would be deemed sufficient. Edna McLeod volunteered to be treasurer of the group.

Chief Flora MacLeod passed away November 4, 1976 (see notes, articles, and details of her funeral)

-Nov. 19, 1976 – elections were held and Donald J. McLeod was elected President, Vice President was John Macleod, Secretary – Evelyn MacLeod and Treasurer – Edna MacLeod.  Mrs. Margaret Kibblewhite & Mrs. Doris (I couldn’t read it) were asked to be members committee representatives.

11 ? 1976 – Letter from Mary J. Dover to Donald J. McLeod – Mary thanks Don J. McLeod for sending her an interesting letter about the Clan MacLeod Society and she states it was kind of Mr. McLeod to write to her. Mary says ‘I have a sort of a suggestion which might be of interest. As you may know, I live in the Millarville district, the address is a long rural mail route. But many of the local activities seem to center around the race track. The setting is quite beautiful. My suggestion is that of Highland Games, there is lots of room. A bleacher (and then I can’t read her writing) If it were well organized it could become quite a tradition. The pipers and dancers and tossers of cabers might enjoy competing in the open air. (there is another line at the end of the letter, difficult to read). Yours, Mary J. Dover’.

1977

-March 12, 1977 – the group was shown the Certificate of Incorporation and a letter from Kenneth MacLeod, Secretary of the Associated Clan MacLeod Societies in Dunvegan who offered his welcome and support to the newly formed Alberta Society. It was decided to host an Annual Picnic @ Prince’s Island on June 19, 1977 and the group said they would look for a piper for the occasion.

-June 19, 1977 – Prince’s Island picnic was well received and well attended. T-shorts with the ‘Hold Fast’ crest were sold at $5.00/children’s sizes and $6.00 for adults (they had small, med, large, xl). The shirts sold well and were well received. The group at the park was entertained by the Williams family, which included 2 dancers, a piper and a drummer, all Clan members. Also, the Society sold stationery with the MacLeod crest in 2 colors. Price was $5.60 for 50 sheets/50 envelopes.

July 1977 – letter received from Arthur Rogers at Dunvegan indicating that Chief John MacLeod of MacLeod & his wife Melita will be the University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta in December of 1977. Arthur Rogers advised that Chief John would be able to meet with the Vancouver, BC and Calgary, AB Clan MacLeod Societies at that time. (I believe this was cancelled and he came in 1978).

– Dec. 2, 1977 – 7-person informal meeting held at Don & Edna MacLeod’s house. Discussions regarding how -to get younger and new members interested in the Society. Last meetings minutes were read and items from the Canadian President’s Report Sid Williams asked for a letter from our Society giving our approval of his teenage pipe band wearing the MacLeod of Dunvegan & Harris tartan & hat badges. Ways of getting more interest in the Clan MacLeod Society of Southern Alberta were discussed. It was suggested we contact James MacLeod re old records of previous members.2 Also, contact the other Scottish Societies. John Macleod volunteered to arrange a dinner & dance at the Legion some time in the spring. Sid Williams suggested we look at the possibility of having a picnic at Mary Dover’s country home later in the summer.

1978

-April 7, 1978 – 29 members of the CMSSA had a lovely roast beef dinner @ 264 Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.  Entertained by John Williams on the bagpipes and we joined the regular Legion Saturday night dance.

-June 10, 1978 – The Executives, Mr. and Mrs. Williams, and Mr. & Mrs. Rod McLeod spent a lovely afternoon as guests of Mrs. Mary Dover & Millarville. Discussing having a Clan picnic at the Dover Ranch in the summer, however these plans did not happen, and the event was tabled for another time. (I have a copy of the sort of program that was written up for a planned event but am not sure yet if it ever happened).

-Oct. 1-1978 – Letter went out to CMSSA members with an update of the visit by Chief John MacLeod of MacLeod and his wife Melita who arrived in Calgary on September 12, 1978 as guests of Zahava Hanen of Millarville, AB. Ceilidh for John MacLeod of MacLeod was held on Wednesday September 13, 1978. see the write ups.

-Oct. 24, 1978 – meeting at President Don McLeod’s house. Watched two Scottish films rented from the Calgary Library. Suggestions for a Burns Night Dinner and yearly banquet were made to keep the Society active.

1979

-Jan. 1979 – small group attended Burns Night at the Westgate Hotel.

-June 1979 – nice picnic at Prince’s Island park, entertained by Alan Macleod with some piping.

1980

*No notes for 1980.

1981

-March 9, 1981 – Potluck supper held in the basement of Knox United Presbyterian Church, about 50 people attended including a group of Scottish Country dancers from St. Giles’ Church.

City of Calgary Photo of Prince’s Island Park, I believe from the 1970’s – it was archived in 2001. Lovely place for a picnic.