Màiri nighean Alasdair Ruaidh (c.1615 – c.1707), also known as Mary Macleod, was a Scottish Gaelic poet.
[2] At one time, however, she was exiled by her chief to Mull for being too profuse in her praise of his relative, Sir Norman Macleod of Bernera.
[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 classical Gaelic bards.
[6] The 1893 Encyclopædia Britannica states: "Macleod’s poetry is celebrated for its simple, natural rhythms.
"[6] MacLeod is also referenced in Scottish folklore as composing her poetry neither indoors nor outdoors and that she would croon from the threshold.