Hi, "open mike"!-- a sheiling is simply a name given to a country dwelling [usually of the single level thatched type]in the Scottish highlands and Islands. This thread has certainly made ME sit up. I was aware of the fact that the lady for whom this song was written was, till fairly recently at least, still alive and in her nineties. What I didn't know was that she could well be related to me! I am surprised to find her name, Mary McNiven. My maternal Grandfather was a native of Islay, Lachlan McNiven, born at Ardmore , by Port Ellen. He had a sister and niece, both "Mary McNiven". Making me wonder----?!