Here is Dunvegan Castle, the seat of the chiefs of Clan MacLeod. It is the oldest castle occupied by the same family in the British Isles, now for over eight centuries.
The current chief, John MacLeod of Dunvegan, is the 29th Chief of his line. He has a wonderful singing voice, having been taught Gaelic song as he grew up. He has a wonderful CD out on the Lismor label entitled "John MacLeod of Dunvegan."
During the late 18th and early 19th centuries Clan MacLeod contributed to the British army 10,000 troops, hundreds of officers, and half a dozen generals. Their presence worldwide spread the popularity of their favorite whiskey on the Isle of Skye, Talisker.
But while many of the soldiers were away, their families were forceable moved off their ancestral homesteads, during the infamous "Clearances."
One song laments a soldier's returning to find his family burned out -
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