English
Sìleas, known as na Ceapaich, or Nighean Mhic Raghnaill, was the daughter of Gilliesbuig, Chief of the MacDonalds. She was born some time in the 1660s and was married to Alexander Gordon of Camdell by 1685. Her style of composing was fairly structured and formal, and she is perhaps best known for her elegant lament for the clan chief Glengarry. It is possible that the depth of feeling evident in the lament is a reflection of her grief for her own husband and daughter, both of whom Sìleas had lost by the time she wrote ‘Alasdair a Gleanna Garadh’.Gaelic
Bha Sìleas na Ceapaich, Nighean Mhic Raghnaill, na nighean aig Gilleasbaig Mac ’ic Raghnaill, ceann-cinnidh Chlann Dòmhnaill na Ceapaich. Rugadh i uaireigin anns na 1660an agus phòs i Alasdair Gòrdanach Chamdhail ro 1685. Bha nòs a bàrdachd foirmeil agus le structar mionaideach, agus dh’fhaoidte gur e an cumha, ‘Alasdair à Gleanna Garadh’, an t-òran a b’ ainmeile a rinn i. Dh’fhaoidte gu bheil blas de dhoimhneachd a faireachdainnean fhèin nuair a dh’eug a nighean agus an duin’ aice san dàn seo. Dh’eug an dithis aca mus do sgrìobh Sìleas ‘Alasdair à Gleanna Garadh’.