Mary M. MacDonald (1789 - 1872)

Bunessan, Scotland lends its name to a hymn tune, originally associated with the Christmas carol, "Child in the Manger". Mary M. Macdonald (1789–1872), who lived in the nearby crofting community of Ardtun and who spoke only Gaelic, wrote her hymn "Leanabh an Aigh" to a traditional melody. When the words were later translated into English, the melody was named after the village by the translator, Lachlan Macbean. A monument to Mary Macdonald can be seen near the village, on the road towards Craignure, just after the Knockan crossroads. The ruins of the house she lived in are also nearby.