Hector Maclean, 4th Laird of Coll facts for kids
Hector Maclean, 4th Laird of Coll, was an important leader from the Isle of Coll in Scotland. He lived around the 1500s. He was known for being very smart and well-educated for his time. He was the son of John Abrach Maclean, 2nd Laird of Coll. His brother was John Maclean, 3rd Laird of Coll.
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A Smart Leader and Poet
Hector was very good at learning and writing. He knew Latin well. He spent a lot of time writing poems in both Latin and Scottish Gaelic. Some of his poems are still around today. They show that he was a very religious person. Because he loved books and writing so much, people called him "Cleireach beag." This means "little clerk" or "little scholar."
He was also good at solving problems. For example, he managed to calm down a powerful person named Ailean nan Sop when he was angry. Official papers show that Hector inherited the lands of Coll in 1558. In 1559, it was confirmed that he would be the next Laird of Coll.
Family Disputes and Independence
In 1561, a big disagreement started between the Macleans of Duart and the Macleans of Coll. The Duart family wanted Coll to join them in all their private fights. They expected Coll to follow them like other members of the clan.
However, Hector of Coll refused. He said that he held his lands directly from the King or Queen. This meant he was independent and did not have to follow Duart. This disagreement almost ruined the Coll family.
Hector was later followed as Laird by his oldest son, Hector Roy Maclean, 5th Laird of Coll.
Hector's Family
Hector was married two times and had several children.
First Marriage
Hector's first wife was Meve. She was the daughter of Alexander MacDonald, 5th of Dunnyveg. They had these children:
- Hector Roy Maclean, 5th Laird of Coll
- Margaret Maclean, who married John Dubh Maclean, 1st Laird of Morvern. He was an ancestor of the Macleans of Kinlochaline.
- Jannet Maclean, who married John Garbh Maclean. He was the son of John Dubh Maclean, 1st Laird of Morvern.
Second Marriage
Hector's second wife was Finovola. She was the daughter of Godfrey MacAllister of Loup. They had two sons:
- Allan Maclean, who started the family branch of Achanasaul on Isle of Mull. His son, Iain Dhuibh, moved to Uig on the Isle of Lewis in 1696. Iain Dhuibh had five sons, and they all settled on Lewis. Iain Dhuibh's direct family still lives in the same bay at Uig Sands today.
- John, who started the family branch of Grishipoll.
