Major Ronald MacDonald was born on a Croft at Glenhinnisdale on 31 July 1866, the son of Peter and Flora MacDonald. He was working as a Solicitor, Estate Agent and Bank Agent for the National Bank of Scotland in Portree.

He originally enlisted as a Private in the Volunteer Force in Portree in 1883 and had reached the rank of Sergeant by 1891. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 11 May 1899. He married Miss Elizabeth Coats of Paisley in June 1900 and had four children.

At the outbreak of War in August 1914 he volunteered his services for the fighting in France and went over there in February 1915 with the 4th Camerons. He was wounded in the throat in action at Festubert.

As warmth was needed for his recuperation he was sent to Marseilles in the South of France. It was here that he died on 10th June 1916, a few weeks short of his 50th birthday. He is buried in Mazargues Cemetery in France.