Scottish Blog

1911-1996

Sorley MacLean was a Scottish poet and is said to have been one of the most influential Scottish poets of the 20th century.

Sorley MacLean was born on the island of Raasay, located between the Isle of Skye and the Scottish mainland. The language used on this island is Gaelic, which is where Sorley MacLean drew his roots and inspirations for his Gaelic poetry.

Upon leaving the island Sorley MacLean attended the University of Edinburgh. After his graduation Sorley MacLean returned to his hometown to become a teacher, although this did not last long as he soon joined the military and served in North Africa throughout World War II.

Sorley MacLean was wounded three times throughout his service, the last of which was said to be a serious enough injury to warrant his return. Before his military service Sorley MacLean was an avid shinty player, this came to a stop after his injuries.

Some would almost say that this was a benefit to Scottish culture as this was the true beginning for the Gaelic writing career of Sorley MacLean. It is believed by many that Sorley MacLean was one of the original founders of the Scottish renaissance movement. It is said that Sorley MacLean was one of the first writers of his time to creatively reuse the language along with modernising it.

Sorley Maclean lived the rest of his life in Scotland and passed away in 1996.