Clan MacLea

The Clan MacLea, also known as the Highland Livingstones originate in Cowall and Lorn in Argyll. There are two schools of thought concerning the derivation of the name MacLea.

Niall Campbell, 10th Duke of Argyll wrote that MacLea derived from Dunshleibe son of Aedh Alain, giving rise to the MacDunsleves.
Another theory is that it comes from the name Mac Duinnshleibhe, which is closely connected with the Royal Family of Ulster.

The current Chief, Niall Livingstone of Bachuil is descended from the hereditary abbots of Lismore Cathedral and Barons of Bachuil. On the death of Saint Moluag, who preached on Lismore in the 6th century, the McInlea (or MacLea) Chief was made successor and custodian of the saint's crozier, known as the Bachuil Mohr.
This Bachuil Mohr is still kept by the Clan Chief and is said to possess magical qualities, giving strength in battle and healing the sick. The Macleas were later given a barony of a small estate on the island and this title is said to be the oldest in the UK.

The clan were formally recognised in 2003, when Alastair Livingstone of Bachuil became chief thanks to the efforts of his son Niall. In Lorn the MacLeas had a great deal of land around Loch Etive, from Benderloch to Dalness near Glencoe, but much of this land was lost to the Campbells as well as the MacDonalds of Glencoe.

There were MacLeas living in Ross-Shire in the 1400's, but they were virtually wiped out at the Battle of Bealach na Broige in 1452 against the Munroes and Dingwalls.