Clanranald

The accompanying text in 'The Clans of the Scottish Highlands' by James Logan begins as follows: "CLANN RAONUIL, OR MAC DONALDS OF CLAN RANALD This branch of Clan Donald anciently held extensive insular possessions and other territories. In 1745 they inhabited the islands of Benbecula, Rum, and Uist, and the districts of Arisaig, Muidart, and South Morar, on the western coast of Invernesshire, a tract so rugged and mountainous that it was distinguished as the very highlands of the Highlands. 'The people of these horrid parts could never believe they were accessible, till the king's forces penetrated their fastnesses after the battle of Culloden, which was a prodigious surprise to the inhabitants.' The writer of these remarks confesses that, notwithstanding their local disadvantages and 'barbarous' manners, they bred amazing numbers of cattle, and a 'sort of wild horses,' the sale of which bought them much money; had plenty of venison, and were in better circumstances than most other clans, the rental being £1100 a year, 'well paid' an income then reckoned large, even for so great a cheif as Clan Ranald !"