At this point, for perfect clarity, one would have to “read between the lines” if one knew which lines to read between. Norman Magnus is said to have “retired” from the 74th Highlanders as a captain in 1872. I have the impression that in the 20th Century there was a certain fluidity of utilization of individuals from uniformed commissioned status to other roles, then perhaps back again – all in continuous government service. The same may have been so in the late 19th Century. All we know is that he next appeared, at least on the record, in Africa as a “political officer” or “political agent” in the service of the British Empire. We are all familiar, at least from the literature, how a CIA station chief or operative may have a cover role in a US embassy in another country. I’m speculating only. I have no idea of the original mandate or mission that took Norman from the 74th Highlanders to the Transvaal border region of Africa. Here’s what we do know:

In 1879, Norman Magnus Macleod in furtherance of British interests, commanded a Swazi army of, reportedly, 8,000, plus an undetermined number of British officers and (presumably) NCO’s, against the Pedis. The Swazi army, commanded by Norman Magnus, decisively defeated the Pedis at the Battle of Wulu. Purportedly, about 1,000 Pedis, about 500 Swazis, and 13 British were killed.

Norman Magnus returned home in 1880 and, upon the death of his father in 1885, became the 26th Chief of MacLeod. With all due respect to Norman MacLeod, 25th Chief, Norman Magnus appears to have been much more effective in restoring the fortunes, not only of Dunvegan and the estate, but also of the Highlands and Islands in general. He has been universally well-regarded, not only in his own time, but in historical retrospect. Among the Chiefs of MacLeod, we have had good ones and bad ones. Norman Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod, 26th Chief of MacLeod was one of the good ones. He died in 1929, succeeded by his brother, Sir Reginald MacLeod.

All that is impressive enough, but here, as the late Paul Harvey would say, is “the rest of the story.” In 2004, John MacLeod of MacLeod, 29th Chief of MacLeod, great-great-nephew of Norman Magnus, visited Africa and participated in a reconciliation ceremony with the Pedis and their king, King K K Sekhukhune. A ritual dance was performed by Pedi maidens for the forgiveness of the past enemies, to “clean the slate forever.” Only after forgiveness, could the descendants feast together. Following the reconciliation with the Pedis, Chief John visited Swaziland, where an observance was hosted by the British High commissioner, among Swazi veterans, Swazi dignitaries, Scots residents, and, of course, the pipes. Chief John was granted an audience with King Mswati III of the Swazis, and it was Chief John’s impression that King Mswati’s sentiment was also of reconciliation and forgiveness.

John MacLeod of MacLeod, 29th Chief, died in 2007. Like his grandmother Dame Flora MacLeod, 28th Chief, he was one of the good ones.

Sources: Clan MacLeod Genealogy On-Line, administered by Rev. Jim Ayers on behalf of the Associated Clan MacLeod Societies; Alick Morrison, THE CHIEFS OF CLAN MACLEOD, East Kilbride, Scotland, 1986; Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon and Alick Morrison, THE MACLEODS—THE GENEALOGY OF A CLAN, Section II, Edinburgh, The Clan MacLeod Society, ND, pp. iii-xxii; Clan MacLeod Magazine, Oct 2004.