Biography

The eldest son of Sir James MacDonald

James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg

James Mac Domhnaill or MacDonald in Scotland, 6th of Dunnyveg , a Scoto-Irish chieftain, who was the son of Alexander MacDonald, lord of Islay and Kintyre , and Catherine MacDonald, daughter of the Lord of Ardnamurchan....

 and Agnes Campbell

Agnes Campbell

Lady Agnes Campbell was the daughter of Colin Campbell, 3rd Earl of Argyll and his wife Lady Jean Gordon.She was probably born at Inveraray Castle which was the Campbell Family seat.Her sister, Elizabeth, married James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray...

, Archibald received a charter for lands forming a part of the barony of Bar in Kintyre

Kintyre

Kintyre is a peninsula in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The region stretches approximately 30 miles , from the Mull of Kintyre in the south, to East Loch Tarbert in the north...

 on 5 May 1564 from Mary, Queen of Scots. He took over the cheiftainship after his fathers death after James was captured during the battle of Glentaisie and imprisoned in Ireland in May 1565. He led an unsuccessful raid to release his uncle Sorley Boy MacDonnell

Sorley Boy MacDonnell

Somhairle Buidhe Mac Domhnaill , Scoto-Irish prince or flaith and chief, was the son of Alexander MacDonnell, lord of Islay and Kintyre , and Catherine, daughter of the Lord of Ardnamurchan...

 from imprisonment. He is alleged to have died c.1569, without issue, for his younger brother Angus

Angus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg

-Life:Angus Macdonald went to Islay and Kintyre to renew the conflict with Clan Maclean. In 1579, upon information of mutual hostilities committed by their followers, the king and council commanded Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean and Angus Macdonald of Dunyveg or Isla, to subscribe assurances of indemnity...

became chief of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg.