Donald Maclachlan, 19th of Maclachlan

Donald Maclachlan, 19th of Maclachlan (19 March 1758 – 11 November 1817) was the 19th clan chief of Clan Maclachlan.

Biography

He was born on 19 March 1758, on the grounds of New Castle Lachlan to Robert Maclachlan, 18th of Maclachlan and Henrietta Campbell. He was only 2 when his father died. His maternal grandfather Donald Campbell of Airds was appointed as his Tutor Dative and ably carried out this task until Donald came of age. He was chief of Maclachlan for 57 years between 1760 and 1817.

He married Susanna, the daughter of Colin Campbell of Park. He attended Glasgow University in 1777 and became an advocate in 1780 based in Edinburgh. They had 4 sons; Colin, Robert, John and George, and 4 daughters; Harriet, Ann, Amelia, Helen and Colina Susan.

He took a considerable interest in his estates and built the "model" village of Ballure or Newton to enable his tenants to be crofter or fishermen in the land of their birth. He also built the present Castle Lachlan, although later addidions by John Maclachlan, the 23rd Chief, have greatly increased the size. Strathlachlan Church was also built at this time.

He died on 11 November 1817 at the age of 59 in Edinburgh, Scotland.