Màiri nighean Alasdair Ruaidh facts for kids

Màiri nighean Alasdair Ruaidh (born around 1615, died around 1707) was a famous Scottish Gaelic poet. She is also known as Mary Macleod. She wrote many poems in the Gaelic language.

Her Life Story

Màiri was born in a place called Rowdil on the island of Harris. Her father was known as Red Alasdair. Through him, she was connected to the leaders of the powerful Macleod family.

In one of her poems, Màiri said she had helped raise five different leaders, called lairds, of the Macleods. She also helped raise two lairds from another family, the Applecross.

She spent most of her life at Dunvegan on the island of Skye. She lived with the Macleod family there. Some stories say she also lived for a while on the island of Eriskay.

At one point, the Macleod chief sent her away to the Isle of Mull. This happened because she praised one of his relatives, Sir Norman Macleod, too much in her poems. Later, she was asked to return to Dunvegan. She passed away there around the year 1707.

Her Amazing Poems

Only a few of Màiri's poems have survived until today. Most of these poems were praises for the Macleod family. She wrote about their brave deeds and their importance.

Màiri Macleod is seen as a very important poet from the 1600s. She was part of a new style of poetry that was becoming popular. This new style eventually took the place of the older, more traditional Gaelic bards. Bards were poets who often sang their poems.

An old encyclopedia from 1893 said that Màiri's poems were special. They had simple, natural rhythms. Her poems were also full of vivid pictures, just like the poems of the older bards. Many of her poems told exciting stories about the Macleod family's heroic actions. They also showed her deep love for her family.

Among the poems that we still have, her elegies are thought to be the best. Elegies are sad poems, often written about someone who has died. Her elegies were touching but also fresh and new in their style.

Fun Folklore

Màiri Macleod is also part of Scottish folklore. People tell stories that she would compose her poems in a special way. She would stand right on the doorstep, neither fully inside nor fully outside. From there, she would hum or sing her new poems softly.