Màiri nighean Alasdair Ruaidh

Màiri nighean Alasdair Ruaidh (c.1615 approx), also known as Mary MacLeod, was a highly gifted Scottish Gaelic Poetess and Bard renowned for her remarkable talents. Mairi was born in Rodel in Harris, during a period of the ‘flowering of genius of a highly gifted people in the Scottish Highlands.’ She was the daughter of Alexander MacLeod, son of Alasdair Ruadh a descendant of the chief of Clan MacLeod. Mairi spent most of her life at Dunvegan in Skye in the household of the MacLeod chieftains. She was employed as a nurse, recounting in one of her songs that she had nursed five lairds of the MacLeods, and two of the lairds of Applecross.

Mairi began to compose poetry/songs in later life. It is said that she wore ‘a tartan tonnag’ (shawl) and could be seen ‘carrying a silver headed staff.’ Mairi was also described as being, ‘much given to whisky and snuff’. Author Alan Riach in his book Scottish Literature recounts that Mairi’s songs were known for, ‘extolling the virtues of her clan, the MacLeods and their heroism, including deeply felt elegies at their passing and celebrations of love and family.’ Her first song was composed to please the children she was caring for.

Later, Mairi published a song which ‘so enraged her patron MacLeod that he banished her to the Isle of Mull.’ The cause of her banishment remains obscure. Whilst in exile in Mull, she composed another song ‘Luinneg Mhich Leoid’ which regained MacLeod’s favour. He sent a boat for her and gave orders to the crew not to take her on board unless she would agree to make no more songs on her return to Dunvegan Castle.

Initially Mairi agreed and returned to Dunvegan, however the Laird’s son fell ill, and when he began to recover, Mary composed another song which was described as an ‘extraordinary composition.’ This enraged the Clan Chief. When asked why she had made a song without his permission, Mary replied defiantly, ‘It is not a song, it is only a cronan.’

Today, there are sixteen surviving poems of Mairi MacLeod. Accounts vary regarding the years of her birth and death, however one recounts that she died at the age of 105. Mairi McLeod was buried in the south transept of St. Clement’s Church, Rodel (see below) built for the MacLeod clan chiefs of Harris.

References: Gaelic Songs of Mary MacLeod by J Carmichael Watson 1934

Scottish Literature: An Introduction by Alan Riach (2022)

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