Angus MacDonald was born about 1835, the son of Roderick MacDonald and Christina MacLeod of 4 Ardslave, Harris. He married Rachel MacAskill of 4 Ruisgarry (Tarraloch) in 1868. They lived at 4 Ardslave, Angus working as a fisherman. Their daughter Christina was born in 1870, and Rachel died a year later in 1871.

In 1879 Angus married again, to Catherine Paterson of 9 Ruisgarry (Gunhill). They were to have eight children together, living at Quay.

Angus was a crewman on the Daisy, which was overwhelmed in a gale in 1906, with the loss of all four crew.