Scottish clans info

The Clan Donald or MacDonald is one of the largest Scottish Highland clans. The MacDonald clan is renowned for owning many castles within Scotland. In 1539, a battle began between the MacDonald clan and the Mackenzie clan for a castle that was situated on the island of Eilean Donan where the Chief of the MacDonalds unfortunately died and the clan withdrew. Historically the Chiefs of the Clan Donald held the title Lord of the Isles until 1493. You can easily find more stories like this online. When we went to Scotland we tried to visit as many castles, etc. for the Campbell Clan. Castle Inveraray is Campbell Headquarters. Sorry about Glencoe! Armadale Castle on the Isle of Skye has a museum of Clan MacDonald History.

I would also like to know more about the other clans ex: how many there are, where most of them live in Scotland, how to get in contact with them ( because I would like to know more about my heritage) and traditions and stories extra

The MacDonalds ruled the Hebrides Islands for 400 years...so they may live closer together like a clan out there. MacDonald is the 26th most common name in Scotland. To find your relatives you may need to do DNA test with Ancestry or other Genealogy tests. Find a Grave will let you locate dead relatives. Check online with the people at the various MacDonald Castles for Clan activities and games. We may have to wait until 2022 to make plans to visit.

Well I just turned 21 and I'm trying to get a job, but I still would like to know for if/when I go.

Also would it be possible to get most if not all of a clan together? Like a family reunion or festival?

Look up MacDonald Castles online...you can email them about Clan Activities and Scottish Games they are planning in future.
You may be able to find Scottish Games near your own Home Town. They would also have information on the different Clans. Good Luck!

THANK YOU!!!!

Here are some books on Amazon based on searching under "McDonald clan books." Seems like "MacDonald" is the more relevant spelling for this purpose. Some are histories and origin stories, some are novels you're not likely to be interested in, one is about the clans generally.

The MacDonalds (Clan Donald) have several branches, so you may want to do some digging into your family history to see if you can narrow down which group you descend from. Ancestry.com is a great resource if you're willing to pay the membership fee for international searches (I got the 6-month membership and was able to find extensive information during that time). For instance, I've traced one line back to the MacDonalds of Sleat, so I was able to find specific locations to add to our itinerary (i.e. Armadale Castle and Duntulm Castle ruins on the Isle of Skye)

Best of luck in your search - who knows, maybe we're cousins!

I don't have any cash or income right now because of covid is making it hard to get a job. But if you know a free way I would gladly try it.

I too am a member of Clan Donald. I have attached several links below that will keep you busy for some time. Clan Donald is composed of several different clans:
Clan Ranald (mine);
Sleat;
Keppoch;
Glencoe; and
Glengarry.
If I were you I would contact as many of my Mac Donald relatives to learn what you can of your ancestors to find out when they came from Scotland, where they lived etc. this will help you narrow down your research.
One of the links has a list of all the different Clan Donald societies you can contact. Most have regular Clan Gatherings.
Good luck.
https://www.clansandcastles.scot/scottish-tailored-holidays/clan-map
https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
http://www.rampantscotland.com/clans.htm
https://clandonald-heritage.com
http://www.clandonald.org/index.asp?pageid=633836

Hi. If you want to search your family roots, I can suggest the FREE website FamilySearch. I started my genealogy research there and graduated up to the Ancestry website (which is great, as had been suggested earlier). But more importantly, this website/search engine is free. Good luck tracing your roots, it is a great pastime/hobby!
Cheers
Heather

Google "highland games" for your area and you might find organization(s) of Scottish-ancestry people.

https://www.scotsgenealogy.com/

We used this source to learn about my husband’s family prior to our first trip to Scotland.