Raasay
The poet Sorley MacLean was born in Osgaig, a small crofting community on the west coast of the island; perhaps his most famous poem is about "Hallaig", an abandoned community on the east coast. MacLean's writings often combine an ancient traditional awareness, with a modernist political outlook, in which Raasay, and the areas adjacent to it are frequently referenced. But while MacLean's work dwells on the brutality of war, of the Highland Clearances and modern exploitation, he also writes about nature. Thus, although the Clearances leave an empty landscape populated only by the ghosts of those evicted or forced to emigrate, "Time, the deer, is in the Wood of Hallaig".
John R. McLean (Canadian politician)
He was born in Souris, Prince Edward Island, the son of Harry Daniel McLean and Annie Mitchell, and the grandson of John McLean. He was educated at the Pictou Academy. In 1936, he married Marjorie Robina McBeath. He worked at a bank for several years before becoming president of the family business. McLean was defeated by Herbert Acorn when he ran for a seat in the provincial assembly in 1939; he was elected to the provincial assembly in a 1940 by-election held following Acorn's death. He was defeated when he ran for reelection in 1943, 1951 and 1955. McLean served as speaker for the assembly from 1959 until his death in office at the Prince Edward Island Hospital in Charlottetown at the age of 58.