Donald, son of Malcolm Macintosh and Isabella Macphail, Dochgarroch, Inverness-shire attended the Free Church Training College in Glasgow between 1861 and 1862. He taught in Tobermoray Public School before moving to Balallan in May 1882. He was married to Eliza Shaw from Mayo, Ireland and had two children Chrissie (1883-) and Malcolm (1883-1884). The family moved to Laxdale School in July 1885 where Donald taught until his death in 1900.