The MacAskills
by Bill MacAskill
Early HistoryWhile the name is undoubtedly Norse, its exact origins are difficult to establish. One tradition suggests Taegail (Thaegail, Taskail or Taskill was the early MacAskill male name and remained common as such down through the centuries) originally settled in Ireland before removing to Skye because of a feud. Ireland and Skye were then both part of the Norse Kingdom of Man and the tremendous amount of sea traffic and movement between areas of that Kingdom would have made this very possible.In this strand of tradition it is suggested that the King of Man made the MacAskills the keepers of Dunscaith Castle in Sleat.
As a matter of interest, and because the MacAskills were always the favoured followers of MacLeod chiefs, the MacLeod genealogy is as follows: Harold the Black of Yseland: Viking King of Man and the Isles. Yseland assumed to be Iceland but more likely to be Islay. Father to: Olaf the Red: Reigned from 1103 to 1153. Father to: Godred the Black: (a.k.a. Godred Crovan) He of 'Birlinn' fame. Reigned from 1154 to 1187. Father to: Olaf the Black: Also King of Man but probably lived in Lewis. Father to: Leod (First Chief): Of mixed Norse and Celtic origin, he lived from circa 1200 to 1280. He is buried in Iona in front of the High Alter. Father to:
Tormod: His son Tormod is ancestor of MacLeod of Harris. Dunvegan and Glenelg. Torquil: Ancestor of MacLeod of Lewis, Assynt, Coigach, Gairloch and Rassay. John: Settled in Ireland Claus: Settled in Iceland. Daughters: One married a mainland Ross, other's history unknown.
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Dunscaith castle was the fortress of Sgathac, and the ancestral seat of the MacDonald
of Sleat family. The ruins of Dunscaith castle can be seen on the headland from the
unclassified road, near Tokavaig, off the A851 by Teangue.
Tormod, Torquil, John, Olaus and Two Daughters.