Ailein na Sop MacLean, Laird of Gigha^{[1, 2, 3]}

Abt 1498 - 1551  (53 years)

• Name	Ailein na Sop MacLean
  Suffix	Laird of Gigha
  Born	Abt 1498	Duart, Isle of Mull, Argyllshire, Scotland
  Gender	Male
  Chrtr (Granted)	Gigha  [3]
  	granted by MacDonald of Isla
  Chrtr (Granted)	Kilcharmaig in Knapdalle  [3]
  	by the Earl of Argyll
  Name (Meaning)	Allien na Sop "Allan of the Wisp" or "Allan of the Straws"
  	Called "Alan of the Straws" because he would set fire to buildings with wisps of burning straw.
  _UID	9E967FC35340FE4FB489B52037D9159B2843
  Died	1551	Tarbert Castle, Knapdale, Argyllshire, Scotland   [1]
  Buried	Isle of Iona, Argyllshire, Scotland   [1]
  Person ID	I36	Clan MacLean Genealogy Database
  Last Modified	1 Feb 2004

  
  

  Father	Lachlan Cattaneach MacLean, Chief of MacLean,   b. 1465, Duart, Isle of Mull, Argyllshire, Scotland ,   d. 10 Nov 1523, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland  (Age 58 years)
  Mother	Marion MacLean,   b. Treshnish, Isle of Mull, Argyllshire, Scotland ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Married	Y  [2]
  Family ID	F24	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Children	+ 1. Iain Diurach MacLean,   b. Torloisk, Isle of Mull, Argyllshire, Scotland ,   d. Yes, date unknown + 2. Eachuinn Machd Allein MacLean,   b. Abt 1495, Torloisk, Isle of Mull, Argyllshire, Scotland ,   d. 20 Apr 1578, Breacachadh Castle, Coll, Argyllshire, Scotland  (Age 83 years)
  Family ID	F26	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Commanded a strong fleet on plundering raids to Ireland, The Lowlands, and Parts of the Highlands. He was one of the most celebrated plunderers of the Scottish Islands. In 1525 he plundered Lochbuie and slew John son of Lochbuie. He Attacked the MacNiells of Gigha, 1536, slew thier Chief, and took possesion of their lands. He slew the laird of Lehire, seized his estate, and kept possesion of it. Murdered Neil of Lehire and took possession of his lands. In his youth the family lived at Cairnburg Castle. MacNeill of Barra was a frequent visitor and on one visit Allan made advances towards MacNeills daughter. When she rejected his advances, he attempted to force his affections on her. She managed to free herself and fled toward the precipice as if to throw her self off. A guard saw what was happening and grabbed her with one hand and flung Allan over the edge with the other. He miraculously landed on a rock ledge that is to this day known as "Urraigh Allein na Sop" (Allan na Sop's shelf". He was not rescued from his predicament untill he begged the lady's forgiveness and vowed not to retaliate against the guard.

  
  

• Sources

  [S84] Book: Clan MacLean A Gaelic Sea Power. [S22] Book: Warriors and Priests. [S87] Book: Clan MacLean by a Seneachie, Film# 0990338.