Gen Macleod of Macleod

Bro. Macleod was born at Brodie House in Nairn on 4 March 1754 the only son of John MacLeod 19th of MacLeod (clan chief), and his wife Emilia Brodie, daughter ofAlexander Brodie (1697-1754). He spent his first 10 years with his mother inHampshirebeing tutored privately. He was then sent to live with his grandfather inSt Andrewsthen went toSt Andrews University 1769/70 but removed due to a “sexual escapade” and then went toUniversity College, Oxfordin 1770.

In 1771 following a cattle plague in his family home of Dunvegan Castle in Skye he vowed to return and resolve various difficulties. He joined the British Army and became a Captain in the 71st Foot Regiment, and joined Lodge Canongate Kilwinning No.2 in c1760. At this time, he stayed in Whitehouse in Edinburgh in 1765, now St. Margaret's convent, Whitehouse Loan. He sailed with his regiment (and wife) to aid in the colonial war in America, but was captured en route and held prisoner.

He moved to the 73rd Foot (MacLeod's Highlanders) as a Major in 1778. In 1780 he became Lt Colonel in the 2nd Battalion, 42nd Foot (Black Watch) which was renamed the 73rd Foot in 1786.The battalion was part of the garrison at Mangalore when it was besieged by Tippoo. The siege lasted from May 1783 to 30 Jan 1784 and was a terrible ordeal for the defenders who starved and were eventually forced to surrender. Macleod, who was not inside Mangalore displayed peculiar and harsh behaviour. The battalion earned the nickname of 'the Mangalores' and later was split from the 42nd to become the 73rd Regiment on 18 April 1786. He served as a Brevet Colonel in the East Indies from 1782 to 1794, fighting against Tipu Sultan (who fired a shot at Macleod and left a scar at his left eye) then in theMalabar regioninIndiawhere he was second in command. He reached the rank of Major General in 1794.

In 1790 (during a return to Britain) he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and a Fellow of theRoyal Society of Londonthe following year. As an MP in 1792 he voted against war with France while in 1793 he voted for the relief of Scottish Catholics. In 1794 he was accused of embezzling money whilst inIndiaand never recovered from this accusation.

He died on the island of Guernsey on 16 April 1801 whilst preparing for a cruise to restore his health. He was the clan’s 23rd Chief.