 The current chief is Ranald Alexander Macdonald of Clanranald, 24th Chief and Captain of Clanranald, who was recognised as such by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in 1956, The current chief is a member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, and also the High Council of Clan Donald.In the 18th and 19th centuries, the common members of the clan and other families living on the Clanranald estates, suffered grievously from the Highland Clearances and also religious persecution at the hands of the Clanranald chief.Clan members and others living on the Clanranald estates also suffered from religious persecution at the hands of their own chief.