Donald was born in 1841, the son of Kenneth Shaw and Mary MacLeod of old Borve in Berneray, then Borgh Mhor, Harris. In 1853 the family returned to become cottars on 1/2 Ruisgarry (Sandhill). In 1864 his father obtained 13 Ruisgarry (Sunhill).

Donald married Catherine Morrison, with whom he was to have a family of seven children. In 1883 he was passed Sunhill croft following his father's death. Donald is mentioned in the Reef Incident in 1893, an event concerned with the islanders' attempts to regain the use of the land occupied by Borve Farm. Following Donald's death in 1923, the croft was passed to his son Donald John.