MacDonald was the son of
Alexander MacDonald, lord of
Islay and
Kintyre (
Cantire), and Catherine MacDonald, daughter of the
Lord of
Ardnamurchan. He organised the release of his brother,
Sorley Boy MacDonnell, in 1551, in exchange for George Bustsyde, a prisoner he held after a battle on the island of
Reachrainn (now
Rathlin Island). In 1560, James MacDonald and the
Earl of Argyll made a bond to resist any French incursions in Ireland, but MacDonald changed his position after
Mary, Queen of Scots returned from France to rule Scotland in person, and his wife was received at court. During the
Battle of Glentasie on 2 May 1565, MacDonald and Sorley Boy were captured by
Shane O'Neill and imprisoned. MacDonald succumbed to his wounds shortly after being captured, while being imprisoned at Castle Crocke, near Strathbane. ==Family==