Fergie MacDonald:
The Man Behind The Myth

Fergie was a Gaelic speaking indigenous Gael, born in April 1937, before being brought up in Mingarry Moidart, educated at Mingarry primary and Fort William secondary, before joining the army and becoming a physical training instructor. On leaving the army he went on to graduate as a Physiotherapist in Glasgow then progressed to become Physio for Partick Thistle FC and then later a trainer for Fort William Shinty Club. Physiotherapy would see him return to the highlands and work with the Highland Health Board for 35 years.

During this time and thereafter his early retirement Fergie went on to have many varied occupations and hobbies:

  • Band Leader

  • Highland Games Athlete

  • Hotelier (30 years running the Clanranald Hotel – Fergie’s bar

  • Clay Target shooting – Scottish internationalist

  • Singer

  • Writer

  • Music Composer

  • Local Moidart Historian

  • Deer Stalker/Red Deer Management

  • Fisherman

Fergie’s aim was to bring people together and get them up dancing

Aside from his biggest achievement, that being his family. Fergie’s main aim over his decades as a band leader was to bring people together and get them up on the floor dancing. With his absolute unique style and timing, coupled with his huge character that endeared communities across the Highlands of Scotland and Hebrides that knew him best, that is when he was at his happiest, on the stage.

These are just some of Fergie’s lifetime achievements:

  • First Band created in 1953, followed by his first BBC radio broadcast and television appearance in 1964

  • Number one hit in the Scottish Music Charts with ‘Loch Maree Islands’, written by Kenneth Mackenzie in 1966

  • Number one within 24 hours in the world music iTunes charts with hit song ‘The Shinty Referee’ in 2014

  • Inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2006

  • 14 Caps representing Scotland in Clay Target Shooting DTL

  • Number one best seller in Scotland book 2006 – Memoirs of a musical legend

  • The Moidart Sniper – book written about his father’s WW1 experience

  • Over 50/singles albums

  • Awarded an MBE in the 2021 new years honours list in recognition for his services to Scottish Traditional Music

  • Multiple BBC Take The Floor broadcasts - last broadcast December 31st 2022 at the age of 84

  • Multiple television appearances with the BBC and STV over a career of 70 years

“My music career has taken myself and the band on some amazing adventures to festivals, theatres, weddings and all different kinds of gatherings all over Scotland. I often get asked ‘how have you stayed in the music business so long?’

I always maintain that the village halls across Scotland, the West coast and Hebrides are the people who have supported me. It’s important no matter how big you may get, you don’t forget your roots, returning to give them a night brought me so much joy. I owe my loyal fans a massive thank you. I am overjoyed that my music brought so much happiness and joy. My aim was to get people up on the floor dancing, I hope you all continue to do so!”

Fergie MacDonald, The Ceilidh King