Norman MacLeod

Norman MacLeod of MacLeod (18 July 1812 – 5 February 1895) was the 25th Chief of Clan MacLeod. Biography Norman MacLeod of MacLeod was born on 18 July 1812 at Dunvegan, Skye. He was the son of John Norman MacLeod of MacLeod (1788–1835), 24th Chief of Clan MacLeod and his wife Anne Stephenson (−1861). He was educated at Harrow and then went abroad to Paris and Vienna. In 1835, Norman's father died and he subsequently succeeded to the chiefship of Clan MacLeod. Norman attempted many costly improvements at Dunvegan Castle, as well as unsuccessful ventures in farming, and greatly encumbered the clan's estates and thus ruined himself financially. During the enthusiasm for the Volunteer movement following an invasion scare in 1859, a group from the South Kensington Museum, headed by Norman, approached the War Office with an offer to raise two companies from the engineering and allied professions. The proposal was accepted in January 1860 and enlistment of the 1st Middlesex Engineers began on 6 February, creating the first Engineer Volunteer Corps. Norman was appointed Captain in command, Major a year later, and then Lieutenant-Colonel as the unit rapidly grew beyond its initial two companies. Norman relinquished command in 1871 and was appointed Honorary Colonel of the corps.