Diorbhail Nic a' Bhriuthainn

Dorothy Brown (Scottish Gaelic: Diorbhail Nic a' Bhriuthainn; d. 1644) was a Scottish Gaelic poet and songwriter who lived on the Isle of Luing in Argyll, Scotland.

Songwriting

She was a prolific songwriter, but only two of her songs survive:

1. Alasdair a Laoigh mo chill ("Alasdair, love of my heart"), about Alasdair Mac Colla, a general in Montrose's army, which she wrote after seeing his ships pass through the sound of Luing on an expedition against the Cambpells. The song is in the style of troubadour poetry, where the author is inspired to fall in love with a character based on tales of their reputation.
2. a lament of the duchess of Coll

Death

Brown died in 1644 and is buried in the old churchyard in Luing.