Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair

Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair (lit. Alexander, son of the Reverend Alexander) (c. 1698–1770) was a Scottish poet, lexicographer, political writer and memoirist, respected as perhaps the finest Gaelic language poet of the 18th century. He served as a Jacobite military officer and Gaelic tutor to Prince Charles Edward Stuart.

He is also known in English as Alexander MacDonald and as "The Clanranald Bard" or "The Great Bard".

Born to a notable Highland family, through his great-grandmother Màiri, daughter of Angus MacDonald of Islay, he claimed descent from Robert II of Scotland. He was the first cousin of the famous Flora MacDonald.

The poet's father was Maighstir Alasdair (Rev. Alexander MacDonald) who was the Episcopalian Church of Scotland minister (this was prior to the Scottish Episcopal Church splitting from The Kirk) for Eilean Fhìonain/Fhianain (Finnan Island), who lived at Dalilea in Moidart, where the poet was probably born. His mother was from Glencripesdale.

There were no schools in the area and so it is thought that the younger Alasdair was educated by his father, who was a graduate (MA) of the University of Glasgow, throughout his early years. The Bard is said to have enjoyed a fine grounding in the ancient corra litir (insular script) of the Clanranald bards, and in the classics (this is borne out by the references in his poetry to Ancient Greek and Roman literature). Alasdair followed in the footsteps of his father and attended the University of Glasgow, and the University of Edinburgh, at a time when Scottish songs were gaining huge popularity. He is said to have left prematurely, however, having married Jane MacDonald of Dalness.

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