!BIOGRAPHY: Sir Robert Douglas of Glenbervie, Baronet, THE BARONAGE
OF SCOTLAND, Edinburgh, 1798, p. 382.
!BIOGRAPHY: Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon and Alick Morrison, THE
MACLEODS--THE GENEALOGY OF A CLAN, Section II, Edinburgh, The Clan
MacLeod Society, 1968, pp. 30, 31-32, 36.
Progenitor of the MacLeods of Luskintyre.
William was born in the island of Berneray in 1661. On the death of his
father, Sir Norman MacLeod on the 3rd March 1705, he should have been
succeeded by his only son, from the first wife, John MacLeod of
Contullich. At the time, no chief resided in Dunvegan, and John MacLeod
of Contullich, at the time was Factor of the Estate and shortly
afterwards Tutor for the Chief, Norman MacLeod XXII. Circumstances
therefore made it necessary for Contullich to reside in close proximity
to Dunvegan Castle and for this reason he took possession of two
convenient farms at Claiginn and Scor. The tack of Berneray (it ceased
to be a liferent with the death of Sir Norman) came into the possession
of his widow, Catherine MacDonald of Sleat for one year only
(1705-1706). She handed over the tack to her eldest son, William, but
she still continued to hold the "Lady''s wadset" of lands bought by Sir
Norman in Harris in 1698. These included Luskintyre, Hushinish,
Shellibost, Taransay, Horgabost, Malaig, Scarp and Fladay. She seems to
have retired to Duntuilm Castle for she died there in 1722, and Donald
MacLeod of Unish (the Old Trojan) was at the funeral conveying her body
to St. Clement''s Churchyard in Rodel, Harris. In that year, therefore,
William MacLeod fell heir to the "Lady''s wadset" (not renounced until
23rd May 1735). He also occupied the farm of Kylis in North Uist from
MacDonald of Sleat. He married Margaret, daughter of Captain Kenneth
MacKenzie of Suddie. His family, which included Margaret, Lady
Clanranald of the ''45, the great friend of Flora MacDonald, were born in
Berneray. We know that the youngest daughter, Alice, was fostered in
the household of Alexander MacRory (MacLeod), tenant in that island.
William continued in the tradition of his father, so that the "golden age
of Berneray" lasted from 1633 to 1730. Extant classi Gaelic poetry in
the Advocates'' Library, leaves no doubt that he was a good Patron of the
Gaelic bards. In one of their compositions, occur the following verses
(translated into English):
He occupies the hospitable island,
Berneray of the fertile fields,
The haunt of bard and heroes
Where people with poems trail.
Oft in the mansion of the heir of Norman
Is heard the lilt of harps and heavy goblets,
And every kind of music playing softly
With deftly proportioned tunes to every melody.
Scholars discoure expertly on books
In the mansion most welcoming of poetry,
Where every legal case is given a right decision
By gentlemen expert in the law.

For some years, he and his eldest son, Alexander "Younger of Berneray",
were the chamberlain and factor of Harris for the Young Chief, Norman
22nd. In 2730, the Chief decided to raise the rent of Berneray, and this
increase, William MacLeod "did not undergo to pay". Accordingly he
decided to give up his tack, but, of course, he still continue to possess
the "Lady''s wadset", for which MacLeod was claiming a "superplus",
owing to the increase in the value of land. In 1730, William left
Berneray and settled in Luskintyre, where he died at the age of 77 in
1738. He was buried in the Churchyard of St. Clement''s, Rodel, where his
son, Alexander, built a lair for him, with a tombstone, on which is
inscribed the following interesting inscription, "Here lieth William
MacLeod, eldest son to Sr. N. McLeod of Berneray by K. McDonald daur. to
to Sr. J. MacDonald of Slate, who dyed upon ye 18th Febr. 1738 in ye 77th
year of his age. he was married to M. McKenzie, eldest daur. to Capt. K.
McKenzie of Suddie and by her had sevL. children, 4 of which survived
him viz A. his eldest son . . . . R. MacLeod. Wr. to the Signet, his 2d son
married to a daur. of Bannatyne of Kiemes in Bute. Margt. married to ye
Capt. of Clanranald & Alice to MacNeil of Barray. He was a good husband,
a kind parent & master & a sincere friend, remarkable for Charity, Piety,
Integrity of life, which made his death much regretted by all his friends
and dependents.
This Chappel was built by ye said, A. McL and this stone therein by ye
said A. McL in honour of his father."
William MacLeod I of Luskintyre and Margaret MacKenzie had issue.
There were other children born to William MacLeod of Berneray and I of
Luskintyre but they died in infancy and their names are not known. He
died on the 8th February 1738 and was buried at Rodel in Harris. He was
succeeded at Luskintyre by his elder son.
!SOURCE: Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon and Alick Morrison, THE MACLEODS --
THE GENEALOGY OF A CLAN, Section II, Edinburgh, The Clan MacLeod
Society, 1968, p. 95.