!SOURCE: Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon and Alick Morrison, THE MACLEODS:
THE GENEALOGY OF A CLAN, Section III, "MacLeod Cadet Families",
Edinburgh, The Clan MacLeod Society, 1970, pp. 216-217, 225.
Neil, ...it is said,... was actually born in St. Kilda, 1729, and certainly
"lived for some time" on the island, "under the tuition of the Minister or
Catechist there". (i.e., Rev. Roderick MacLennan). It was here "that he
first read Horace and Virgil". He was educated at King''s College,
Aberdeen, where he is described as ''Invernessensis Insulanus''. He
graduated M.A. on 2nd April 1747 and became schoolmast of Bracadale,
Skye, on 26th June 1752. In 1754 Neil became missionary in Moidart and
on 12th May 1756, he was presented by Archibald, Duke of Argyle to the
parish of Kilfinichen in the island of Mull. Rev. Kenneth MacAulay of
Harris, who visited St. Kilda in 1758 and wrote an invaluable account of
the island, mentions, "The present Steward''s brother who is a clergyman
of our church, and a man of learning and veracity".
On Wednesday, 20th October 1773, Rev. Neil MacLeod entertained
distinguished visitors at his manse of Kilfinichen, Dr. Samuel Johnson
and James Boswell descended upon him. Dr. Johnson writes, "We were
entertained for the night by Mr. MacLean (the Lexicographer was wrong
here for MacLean should be MacLeod), a Minister that lives upon the
coast, whose elegance of conversation and strength of judgment would
make him conspicuous in places of greater celebrity". Boswell writes,
"and in the evening we landed on Mull near the house of the Reverend Neil
MacLeod. We were very agreeably entertained at his house. Dr. Johnson
observed to me that he was the clearest headed man that he had met
with in the Western Islands. He seemed to be well acquainted with Dr.
Johnson''s writings and courteously said, "I have been often obliged to
you, though I never had the pleasure of seeing you before''." Boswell was
struck by his appearance -- "His first appearance was taking, he had a
black wig". They had tea at the manse and an excellent supper.
Rev. Neil MacLeod married on the 3rd November 1756, Margaret
(1737-89), daughter of his predecessor at Kilfinichen, Rev. Archibald
MacLean, M.A., a descendant of the MacLeans of Borreray in North Uist,
with issue.
Rev. Neil MacLeod of Kilfinichen died on 28th April 1780 and was
succeeded in the representation of the family of Kilfinichen by his son,
Rev. Dr. Alexander MacLeod of New York, who died on 17th February 1833.