Life Mary MacPherson

photograph of mairi mhor spinning whorl

on returning skye lived friend, mrs macrae of os, until lachlann macdonald, laird of sgèabost provided rent free cottage. became actively involved in crofters war , highland land issue, provided themes of of best known songs. known have been present @ highland land league meetings , have been actively involved campaigners such alexander mackenzie , friend charles fraser-mackintosh in run napier commission of 1883-4 , crofters act of 1886.

in 1 of songs of period, ‘ nuair chaidh na ceithir ùr oirre’’ mairi describes crossing of strome ferry fraser-mackintosh, alexander mackenzie (clach na cùdainn), son , kenneth macdonald gather support land struggle. ‘’clach’’ tells boat sink if gets on board rest weighs in @ 17 stone (108 kg). instead wait behind , boatman return alone. 5 ft 9 inches tall (172.5cm) tall epithet mòr can refer physique status in gaelic poetry. among other known , sung songs land league period ‘’oran beinn li’’, ‘’coinneamh nan croitearan’’ , ‘’eilean a’ cheò’’

like contemporary gaelic bard , activist, mary mackellar, mairi mhòr admired , became friendly professor john stuart blackie. skilled spinner , wool worker , made blackie tartan plaid. later devised tartan called’’the blackie’’. blackie gave beautifully crafted cromag (shepherd’s crook). presented charles fraser-mackintosh woollen suit. had done spinning , dying not weaving.

her last known address, @ beaumont crescent, portree in building called rosedale hotel, commemorated today blue plaque.

plaque on rosedale hotel, portree mairi mhor nan oran

macpherson died in portree 1898 , buried in chapel yard cemetery in inverness beside husband. isaac. gravestone erected charles fraser-mackintosh ,m.p.

beaumont crescent, portree. last known address of mairi mhor nan oran



grave stone of mairi mhòr in chapel yard cemetery, inverness