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In the Hebrides, where the Nicolson's held the lands of Scorrybreac, in Skye, as the principal tenants. "MacNicol of Portree" it is said, was one of the sixteen men who formed the famous council of the Lord of the Isles. Local legend has it that over one hundred chiefs of the clan were borne to their last resting place from the old house of Scorrybreac.
The last chief of the clan to reside in Skye was Norman Nicolson of Scorrybreac who emigrated to New Zealand. His line continues in Australia, where the present chief of the West Highland Nicolson's has a sheep station named Scorrybreck.
The name of Nicolson is found scattered throughout Scotland, with MacNicols being numerous is Argyll. There are even cases of the name Nicolson having roots as far south as Tyneside and Yorkshire.
Many of the Nicolson clan became known for literary pursuits, one of the most famous being Alexander Nicolson who published the well-known "History of Skye".
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