Ann, born 1841, was the daughter of Donald MacRailt and Effie MacDonald of Borve. Ann's mother died when Ann was aged about four years and her father remarried. During the 1840s the family moved to Deiraclete.

Ann married Donald MacKinnon, whose family had similarly moved from Borve to Deiraclete. Ann and Donald made their home at 2 Deiraclete.