John MacLean, born in 1822, was the eldest child of Alexander MacLean and Mary MacAskill of old Ruisgarry. A farmer, he married Christina MacLeod, and obtained 12 Ruisgarry (Quay), adjacent to his father's new croft, in 1850. In 1864 John and his family moved to 18 Ruisgarry (Brusda), and 12 Ruisgarry passed to Kenneth MacAskill.

With Christina he had a family of seven children before her death in 1874. John married again, to Ann MacAskill, with whom he was to have another five children. John died of supposed consumption in 1890. Following his death the croft at Brusda was passed to his son Seonaidh Bhrùsda.