Màiri nighean Alasdair Ruaidh (c.1615 – c.1707), also known asMary Macleod, was aScottish Gaelic poet.[1]
Born atRowdil,Harris, she was a daughter of Red Alasdair, and through him connected with the chiefs of theMacleods. In one of her poems, she claims to have nursed fivelairds of the Macleods and two lairds of Applecross. Most of her life was spent atDunvegan,Skye, in theMacleod of Macleod household, although tradition mentions she once lived inEriskay.[2] At one time, however, she was exiled by her chief toMull for being too profuse in her praise of his relative, Sir Norman Macleod of Bernera. She was afterwards recalled to Dunvegan and died there in 1674.[3][4]
Only a few of her poems, mostlylaudations of the Macleods, have been preserved.[3][5]
Macleod is widely regarded as one of the stalwarts of the new school of poetry that was emerging in the 17th century, which eventually replaced the classicalGaelic bards.[6]
The 1893 Encyclopædia Britannica states: "Macleod’s poetry is celebrated for its simple, natural rhythms. Her poems were full of the imagery that was customary in the verse of the bardic poets. Macleod's poems were mostly exalted tales of the heroic deeds of the Macleod family, woven with her strong love for her family... A handful of her poems remains today. Of those that survive, theelegies are the best, poignant yet fresh in their style."[6]
MacLeod is also referenced inScottish folklore as composing her poetry neither indoors nor outdoors and that she would croon from the threshold.[7][8][9]
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This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: MacDonald, James Ramsay (1893). "Macleod, Mary". InLee, Sidney (ed.).Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 35. London:Smith, Elder & Co.
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