Flora was born in about 1817, the daughter of Donald MacLeod and Catherine MacLeod of old Borve. Following her marriage to Alexander MacLeod, she moved to old Ruisgarry, in 1850 settling at 2 Ruisgarry (Sandhill). In 1854 the family were cleared to Grenitote, North Uist, but later returned as cottars to Quay, probably as early as 1857 since daughter Mary was born in Ruisgarry.

Flora and Alexander had seven children together. Alexander, a fisherman, tragically drowned in 1865, along with their eldest son Duncan. The widowed Flora was registered as a cottar in 1871.