Background
McDonald was born in Leechkentium (Scottish Gaelic: Leacantuim), Glen Coe, on the south shore of Loch Leven, in Appin, then located in the county of Argyll, Scotland, the last of 13 children born to parents Angus and Mary (née Rankin).
McDonald was born in Leechkentium (Scottish Gaelic: Leacantuim), Glen Coe, on the south shore of Loch Leven, in Appin, then located in the county of Argyll, Scotland, the last of 13 children born to parents Angus and Mary (née Rankin).
He assisted in recruitment of the second group of colonists in Scotland, with the intention of departing for the New World with them in 1812. McDonald was delayed, however, under Lord Selkirk"s orders, to receive further training in medicine and related subjects. In June 1813, McDonald left Scotland with a group of emigrants, arriving on the Red River one year later.
In the winter of 1814-1815, he was made deputy governor under Miles Macdonell.
In 1820, he joined the HBC, and after the merger with the North West Company in 1821, was sent out to the Columbia River. In 1828, he and Governor George Simpson travelled together from York Factory to the Columbia.
In the same year, he was promoted to chief trader and put in charge of Fort Langley, near the modern city of Vancouver. He held that post until 1833, when he was reassigned to Fort Nisqually.
In 1835, he was assigned to Fort Colville, where he was chief trader from 1833 to 1841, and chief factor until 1844.
In 1848, he retired to Saint Andrew"s East, Canada East, on a homestead he named "Glencoe House" after his birthplace. lieutenant was here that he died in 1853.