Mary Ann MacLeod was born in old Borve in 1853, the daughter of Roderick MacLeod and Christina MacLeod. When she was still a baby, her father obtained 21 Ruisgarry (Ben Leva), which he later combined with 22 Ruisgarry. Mary Ann became a dairymaid, and later a domestic servant.

In 1877 she married Duncan MacAskill, with whom she had a son, John. Duncan was passed a share of 7 Ruisgarry (Lag a'Chealla) on his mother's death in 1887, later enlarged with the addition of his sister's share. Mary Ann passed away in December 1909, a few months after her son's death from appendicitis.