Foreward

Introduction

MacAskills of Rudh an Dunain

Lieutenants of the Coast 1

Lieutenants of the Coast 2

Lieutenants of the Coast 3

Tacksmen 1

Tacksmen 2

Hard Times

Descendants 1

Descendants 2

Tales from Frances Tolmie

MacCaskills in Canada

Annex

Notes and References

Bibliography

"According to tradition came from Ireland. It would appear that he was involved in a feud about the succesion to a kingship, and was forced to leave his native country about 1170. He came as a fugitive to Skye, where he was received in a friendly manner."

"The MacAskills were of Norse stock and their name is derived from Askell or Asketil, the 'kettle' or "sacrificial vessel of the gods". Probably the name of the vessel was transferred to the person offering the sacrifice."(l)

Askel became Asgall in Gaelic and his sons became MacAskills, though there are many different ways of spelling the name.(2)

Skye at the time of Asgall was part of a Viking kingdom and was governed from Dunvegan by the MacCrailts. In about 1230 an heiress of the house married Leod, reputed son of Olave the Black, Viking Earl of Man. Leod already held much of the Outer Isles and large territories on the West Coast of the mainland. These territories and Skye, were divided between his two sons, Tormod and Torquil. Tormod became the progenitor of the MacLeods of Dunvegan, Harris and Glenelg whilst Torquil's line became MacLeods of Lewis, Assynt in Sutherland, the Island of Raasay and Watenish in Skye, two almost distinct clans.

From hereon the sons of Asgall, or MacAskills, held their lands from the MacLeods of Dunvegan.

Dunvegan circa 1230:

On to the Lieutenants of the Coast 1.