Norman MacLeod (British Army officer)

Dunvegan Castle

Norman was born in Brodie House, Moray, on 4 March 1754.[1] He spent his first 10 years with his mother in Hampshire being tutored privately. He was then sent to live with his grandfather in St Andrews before studying at University of St. Andrews (1769/70) but removed due to a “sexual escapade” and then went on to Oxford in 1770.[2]

In 1771 following a cattle plague in his family home of Dunvegan Castle estate on Skye he vowed to return and resolve various difficulties.

In 1772, he succeeded his grandfather as the 23rd Chief of Clan MacLeod. He returned to Dunvegan Castle, the family's ancient seat in Skye and found his grandfather had also left him with a debt of £50,000.[1] By 1775, tired of life on Skye and being unable to free himself of the debt, he obtained a commission as a captain with the 71st or Fraser's Highlanders.[1]

In 1776, he set sail with the regiment for America but was captured by privateers. He returned home a few years later and was promoted to major with the 73rd or MacLeod's Highlanders. Then shortly after, made lieutenant-colonel with the 42nd Highlanders. In 1781, he sailed with the battalion for the Cape of Good Hope but the expedition passed on to India.[1]

He served as a Brevet Colonel in the East Indies from 1782 to 1794, fighting against Tipu Sultan then in the Malabar region in India where he was second in command. He reached the rank of Major General in 1794 on a salary of £6000 per year.[2]

In 1790 (during a return to Britain) he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers were John Hill (his uncle), Andrew Duncan, and James Hutton. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London the following year.[3] As an MP in February 1792 he voted against war with France. In April 1793 he voted for the relief of Scottish Catholics. In 1794 he was accused of embezzling money whilst in India and never recovered from this accusation.[2]

Financially ruined in 1796 he abandoned political life and turned to drink.

He died on the island of Guernsey on 16 April 1801 whilst preparing for a cruise to restore his health. He left debts of £33,000 a fortune at that time.

In April 1776, he married Emilia Brodie, daughter of Alexander Brodie. She died in February 1784 an event which mentally scarred him for the rest of his life, and he then married Sarah Stackhouse, a noted beauty. They had 3 sons and 4 daughters.