Malcolm, born 1829, was the son of Murdo MacLeod and Catherine MacLeod of Ruisgarry. The family lived in Ruisgarry until 1845 when, with the re-organisation of its many small crofts into larger ones, the family was moved to 3 Meavaig South. Malcolm married Mary Paterson, who had similarly moved from Berneray to Meavaig. They made their home at 2 Kendebig.