Flòraidh Bheag

Flora (Flòraidh Bheag) was born in Shenacadie, Cape Breton County to Neil D. MacKinnon (Niall Dhòmhnaill Nill) and Mary Ann MacNeil (Màiri ni'n Iain a' Chlachair). Both her parents were of Barra descent and her father was known as a bàrd.

Flòraidh’s mother died when she was very young and she was raised close by in the home of Ambrose and Anna MacInnis. In the MacInnis house, only Gaelic was spoken and it was from them that she learned most of her songs. She married John MacLean (Iain Iagain Ruairidh) and their home was often the gathering spot for singers like Margaret MacLean, John Alex MacSween and Father Allan MacMillan.