Ann was born in about 1797, the daughter of Angus MacKillop and Catherine Bethune of old Ruisgarry. She married farmer Donald MacKinnon, also of old Ruisgarry. On the relotting of the Ruisgarry crofts in 1850, they became cottars on 2 Ruisgarry (Sandhill).

They had no children of their own, but living with them in 1851 were Ann's young nephew and niece Angus and Janet, whose mother had died in 1848. The couple moved as cottars to Quay and then to Rubha Mor. Angus was still living with them in 1871, and he eventually inherited their home at Rubha Mor.