Gaelic singer
Born: May 11, 1926 ;
Died: March 16, 2018
DONALD M MacLeod, who has died aged 91, had a long and successful career as a Gaelic singer, appearing at Highland gatherings, concerts and ceilidhs as well as broadcasting on both radio and television. An Islay Mod gold medallist, he also entertained appreciative audiences in London, Ireland, Canada and the USA.
Although born in Glasgow he spent his entire life in Portnahaven on Islay where he worked as a joiner and tended the family croft. At that time the Rhinns village was a vibrant Gaelic-speaking community and this led Donald to develop a lifelong interest in the language and the music of the Gaels.
His singing career began in 1939 when he took first place in the junior singing section at the local island mod. This success was repeated 10 years later when he achieved similar placing in the senior section.
Following national service in the RAF, he joined the Gaelic choir at the neighbouring village of Port Charlotte and the choristers' various successes at national mods encouraged him to try his luck in the gold medal competitions at national level. This certainly paid off as he won the premier solo singing award at the national mod in Rothesay in 1952, an honour he shared with Anne Gillies.
In his early career his recordings were best sellers and he was often heard on Scottish-themed programmes on Radio Luxembourg.
Although retired from public appearances for a number of years, he remains among the most asked for performers on the BBC Radio nan Gàidheal’s weekly request programme Na Durachdan.
A CD compilation of some of his best known recordings was released under the title An T-Eilean Mor 10 years ago and the demand for the collection, proceeds from which went to a local charity, greatly exceeded all expectations.
His praiseworthy contribution to Gaelic song was also justifiably recognised in 2011 when he was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame.
He loved foreign travel, took pleasure in the beauties of nature which surrounded him, and worked tirelessly to ensure that his native village was not short changed in civic matters.
They came from far and near to pay their last respects at the service celebrating his life in the Portnahaven parish church. It was fitting that during the service another Islay singer Alasdair Currie, who won the gold medal at the Royal National Mod at Lochaber last year, sang the Gaelic favourite Eilidh, a song which will be forever associated with Donald.
Devotions were led by the Rev Valerie Watson, the parish minister, and Donald was interred alongside his beloved Katie in Nerabus cemetery. Donald and Katie shared 58 year of happy marriage and family life.
He is survived by daughters Jane and Fiona, son Alasdair, and four grandchildren who were his pride and joy. His pleasing voice is now silent but the songs and the memories will endure.
HUGH SMITH
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