Donald (born 1899) was the son of Alexander Maciver and Jessie Graham. It is not clear where the family were living at the time of his birth.

During the First world war he served with the Royal Naval Reserves. He was a survivor of the infamous HMY Iolaire sinking of new years day 1919.

In 1922 the family obtained 14 New Tolsta as a newly lotted croft.

Donald married Christina Macleod, of 53 North Tolsta, and the couple settled in Inverness.