Andrew Macdonald (ca. 1752-1833) of Eilean Shona, Inverness, Scotland, appears to have emigrated to Prince Edward Island with his wife Isabella Macdonald (ca. 1760 - 21 July 1840) and several of their children between May and November 1806. The family originally settled at Panmure Island which Andrew had purchased from Sir James Montgomery in 1804. Andrew also appears to have acquired through either purchase, lease, or government grant a total of approximately 10,000 acres in Lot 8, Lot 51, Lot 52, Georgetown, and Georgetown Royalty. Andrew would later encounter difficulty proving his title to the Panmure Island property and all his land holdings would become the center of a Chancery Court case after his death.

Shortly after arriving in Prince Edward Island, Andrew established mercantile, shipping, fisheries, and shipbuilding business interests in partnership with his sons Hugh (27 July 1788 - 10 November 1857), Angus (24 June 1786 - 13 April 1863), and Colin (10 December 1781 - 11 May 1860). These business ventures would be carried on by a number of Macdonald family members over the years, among the most notable being Hugh