Murdo MacDonald (1947-2024)

    Scottish Gaelic speaker, accomplished traditional singer and button accordion player, Murdo ‘Wasp’ MacDonald/ Murchadh Dòmhnallach, was born in Lower Shader, Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides. The use of nicknames and patronymics as family identifiers was common on the island at that stage because many people shared the same names and surnames. A carpenter by trade, he joined the construction firm of MacLeod & Buchanan in Stornoway although he  also displayed a proficiency in many other trades outside of joinery. In due course he established his own business and worked on buildings across Lewis and Harris. Later he took up employment as Projects Manager on housing improvement schemes where his vast experience ensured that projects were completed effectively and on time. He was also a keen crofter and kept a large flock of sheep but was generous with his spare time and much in demand among family and neighbours for renovations, repairs and construction advice. 

    Murdo’s music and song came from his immediate family and locality, and he was immersed in Gaelic song and accordion music since childhood. His parents were good singers and father and uncles played melodeon. But he was largely self-taught on the accordion and the blas - or flavour - of his playing was rooted in the traditional and ornamental Gaelic singing style of his home area, which gave his music a distinctive style. 

    For many years he played in the Woodland’s Cèilidh Band and was also a member of two of the island’s Gaelic choirs, and  sang at various events around the island. In 1989 he competed at the National Mod (similar to the Oireachtas), where he won the coveted Gold Medal for Seann-Nòs singing. The event was televised, and this brought him to a wider audience and more public appearances outside the island; in Ireland, England and throughout Scotland. In 1989 and 1991 he released two cassettes of traditional Gaelic songs. 

    The death of his wife Cathie, in 2011, ended music and travel for a while but then he met traditional Gaelic singer Margaret Stewart/Maighread Stiúbhart. They were matched emotionally and artistically and went on to share ten happy years together as they performed all over the UK, Europe and the USA, representing the best of Scottish Gaelic music and song. Maighread had been visiting and performing at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy for many years and naturally she introduced Murdo to the Willie Clancy scene. He took to it with relish, taking part in The Scope of Irish Music classes, performing at recitals and concerts, and in informal sessions where he was always a popular entertainer, sharing his repertoire of music and song with appreciative audiences.

At the summer school we have many fond memories of Murdo, but some stand out: like the pleasant afternoons out in the back yard of the Blonde's pub, the place alive with singers and musicians, all giving their best, and Murdo enjoying the banter, singing, playing and loving every minute of it. His visits to us were relatively few but they made an impact, and his music and pleasant personality will be missed.

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Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam  uasal.