Donald McEachan was one of the unfortunate victims of two attempts, both of doubtful validity, which the Bishop of Valladolid, Dr Jose Antonio de Rivadeneira, made to ordain them. They were conditionally re-ordained when they returned to Scotland.

Report of the ordination of Donald McEachan in the Scottish Catholic Directory of 1847.

The Rev. Donald Maceachen was born in Arisaig-, Inverness-shire;—commenced his studies at Blairs, and finished them in the Scottish College, Valladolid, where he was ordained Priest by the Bishop of that See. On his return to Scotland, after being employed for some time in Glasgow, he was appointed to the vacant Mission of Fort William.

Obituary of Donald McEachan from the Scottish Catholic Directory of 1887.

Pray for the soul of the Rev. Donald Maceachen, who died at 552 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, on the 25th August, 1886, in the 65th year of his age and the 41st of his priesthood.

Mr. Maceachen was born in Arisaig, Inverness-shire, on the 31st March, 1822. At the age of sixteen he was enabled to gratify his ardent desire of dedicating himself to the sacred ministry, and he joined a considerable body of students who were leaving Blairs College for Spain, under the charge of the Rev. James Clapperton. They arrived at Valladolid on the 19th December, 1838. After completing there the usual course of study, he was ordained priest by the Archbishop of Valladolid on the 13th April, 1846, and five days after set out for Scotland. He served for a short time at St. Andrew’s, Glasgow, and was then appointed to Fort-William, where he remained eight years. The stations of Glencoe and Glenfinnan, the one twenty miles and the other fourteen miles distant, but in opposite directions, were also attended by him during this time with exemplary assiduity; and it was to the long walks, and the many hardships which he endured in discharging this part of his duty in all kinds of weather, that he attributed much of his sufferings in after life. In 1854, to the bitter grief of his Highland flock, he was transferred to Johnstone, to which Houston was at that time attached as a station served every Sunday—a laborious charge for a single priest. Five years later he was appointed head priest at St. Patrick’s, Glasgow. The rest may be told in the words spoken at his funeral : “Here be laboured in his holy calling until the middle of July, 1864, when the fell blow was struck, and the strong and active priest, in the very prime of life, was laid low by an attack of paralysis in the lower extremities of his body. For full twenty-two years this valiant soldier of Christ led the life of a martyr; for what could be more unbearable for a man of Father Maceachen’s ardent temperament, zeal for souls, and never-varying love for Holy Church, than to be cast aside from active work when so much was to be done for God and men. But in his case the grace of God was superior to his natural qualities, no matter how praiseworthy these might have been. His patience in his affliction, his constant resignation and conformity to the holy will of God, were most remarkable throughout his long and trying illness. The deep and intelligent interest he showed in everything concerning the Church, and especially in this suffering Church in Scotland, was noticeable to all who approached him. . . . He was kind and gentle to all, but particularly so to those from his own country who came as strangers, ignorant of the language and customs of this large and wicked city. From his bed of sickness he aided them and consoled them, and sent them away happy. Father Maceachen was in every way a holy priest, always conscious of his high calling.”

For some years after the attack which disabled him at once and permanently, he continued his connection with St. Patrick’s; but in the autumn of 1867 he went to live at Johnstone, hoping to derive some benefit from the change of air. In the course of the following year he returned to Glasgow, and during the eighteen years that he survived he resided there or at Rothesay, loved and respected by all who knew him. He passed away calmly on Wednesday, 25th August, fortified with the last rites of the Church. Next day the corpse was removed to St. Patrick’s, and on the Friday the funeral service took place. Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by Canon Condon; the funeral discourse was delivered by the Rev. Fr. Archibald Campbell, S.J., who had been baptised by the deceased; and the music was rendered by a choir of priests, of whom a large number were present. After the Absolution had been given by Canon Condon, the corpse was conveyed to Dalbeth Cemetery, where the interment took place.