WOMAN AS CLAN CHIEF

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 210, 2 June 1936, Page 13

WOMAN AS CLAN CHIEF

Flora Of MacLeod AN AUSTRALIAN CLAIMANT The council of the Clan MacLeod Society have adopted a report by a committee which expresses the opinion that Flora, Mrs. MacLeod of MacLeod Is the chief of the Clan Society in succession to her father, the late Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod, the twentyfourth chief of the MacLeods of Dunvegan (in corrected order the twentyseventh chief). In a reference to the claim of the male representative in Australia of the MacLeods of Talisker to be male representative of the MacLeods of Dunvegau. the committee say that matter does not appear to arise in connection with the office of chief of the Clan Society. There is no sex disqualification In the society’s constitution.

The committee to which the matter was referred for consideration consisted of Sir John Lome MacLeod (convener), Mr. John MacLeod, one of the vice-presidents; Mr. Fred T. MacLeod, and Major R. C. MacLeod, honorary secretary. Under the constitution of the society, which was founded in 1891 and reconstituted in 1906, it is prescribed that the chief of the society shall be MacLeod of MacLeod. Description in Grant of Arms. The Clan MacLeod consists of two main branches, MacLeods of Dunvegan and MacLeods of Lewis. The chiefs of the MacLeods of Dunvegan are variously described in the Privy Council records, Acts of Scots Parliament, and other documents as “of Dunvegan,” “of Harris,” “of Glenelg,” “Laird of Dunvegan,” “Laird of MacLeod” and “of that ilk.” The chief of the MacLeods of Dunvegan is commonly known, according to Highland custom and usage, as “MacLeod of MacLeod” or “MacLeod.” Iu the official grant of arms by the Lord Lyon in 1753 the phrase “of that ilk” becomes “of MacLeod” in the arms, as known in 1784, and as matriculated iu 1928. The phrase “of that ilk” means “of the same,” and refers to ownership of lands of the same name as the name of the owner. The phrase “of that ilk” in the matriculated arms of 1753 of the then chief of the MacLeods of Dunvegan relates to the ownership of the lands of MacLeod, embracing the lands and castle of Dunvegan. in the personage of the party entitled to the family arms.

Flora, Mrs. MacLeod of MacLeod, is the heiress and successor of Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod, the 24th chief of the MacLeods of Dunvegan (iu corrected order the 27th chief), in the lands of MacLeod, embracing the lands and castle of Dunvegan, and tho owner thereof, and she is in right of the family arms, being tho arms as known in 1784, aud matriculated in 1928.

These arms, but without the crest, which is inapplicable in the case of a female successor, have been matriculated in her person in the Court of the Lord Lyon as the arms of "Flora, Mistress MacLeod of MacLeod, in the Isle of Skye.”