Màiri nighean Alasdair Ruaidh facts for kids
Màiri nighean Alasdair Ruaidh (around 1615 – around 1707), also known as Mary Macleod, was a very important Scottish Gaelic poet. She is remembered for her unique style and powerful poems.
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Who Was Mary Macleod?
Mary Macleod was born in a place called Rowdil on the island of Harris. Her father was known as Red Alasdair, and through him, she was connected to the powerful chiefs of the Macleod family.
Her Life and Travels
Mary spent most of her life at Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye. This was the home of the Macleod chiefs. In one of her poems, she even said she helped raise five different Macleod chiefs and two chiefs from another family called Applecross!
There's a story that she was once sent away to the Mull by her chief. This happened because she praised one of his relatives, Sir Norman Macleod, a bit too much! But she was later called back to Dunvegan. She passed away there around the year 1674.
Mary Macleod's Poems
Mary Macleod was a very talented poet. Only a few of her poems have survived over time. Most of them are "laudations," which means they are poems of praise, especially for the Macleod family.
A New Style of Poetry
Mary Macleod is seen as one of the key figures in a new way of writing poetry that started in the 1600s. Before her, there were "bardic poets" who followed very strict rules. Mary and others helped create a simpler, more natural style.
Her poems were known for their easy, flowing rhythms. They were also full of vivid pictures and descriptions, much like the older bardic poems. Many of her poems told exciting stories about the brave actions of the Macleod family. They also showed her deep love for her own family.
What Her Poems Were Like
Even though only a few of her poems remain today, they are highly valued. Her "elegies" – which are poems written to remember someone who has died – are considered some of her best work. They are touching but also fresh and new in their style.
Mary Macleod in Stories
Mary Macleod is also mentioned in old Scottish folklore (traditional stories). People used to say that she would compose her poems neither fully inside nor fully outside. Instead, she would sit on the doorstep, singing her poems softly.
