Mary Munro was born in in old Ruisgarry in 1849, the daughter of Malcolm Munro and Effie Morrison, moving with her parents a year later to 3 Ruisgarry.

Mary became a dairymaid and domestic servant, marrying Malcolm MacLeod in December 1871. They made their home as cottars on his parents' croft, 21/22 Ruisgarry (Ben Leva). They were to have eleven children together.

Well respected in the community, her husband was elected by the people of Berneray to give evidence on their behalf at the Napier Commission in 1883. Eventually the islanders achieved their wish, and Malcolm was one of those granted a croft in Borve. The family moved to 9 Borve in 1900.