Biography

Scholars believe that An t‑Iorram Niseach dates from the sixteenth century or the early seventeenth century. It is said to have been composed by Allan 'Mòr' Morrison (Ailean Britheamh), chief of the Morrisons, the renowned hereditary judges of Lewis.

At the time, there was significant unrest over the leadership of the Clan MacLeod of Lewis. The Morrisons were accused of involvement in the death of Torcall Dubh, who claimed the chiefship of the MacLeods and was killed in 1597.

Niall Odhar, named in the song, was Torcall Dubh's half‑brother. According to tradition, he pursued Allan Mòr Morrison in a birlinn. Allan Mòr, also in a birlinn, urged his skipper Kenneth to row faster, to escape from Niall Odhar.

Niall Odhar was later hanged as a pirate in Leith in 1613.

List of compositions

An t-Iorram Niseach