It’s impossible to overestimate Runrig’s role in taking Gaelic and Scottish culture to an international audience and impossible to imagine the Gaelic music scene today without the existence of a band that has acquired legendary status. The same band that has rocked concert halls across Europe and North America has been an inspiration to a generation of singers and musicians growing up in the Gaidhealtachd and has achieved the ultimate tribute of having its songs pass into the tradition.
Formed in 1973 by brothers Calum and Rory MacDonald and accordionist and keyboards player Blair Douglas, Runrig began life with the sole and very pragmatic intention of getting people on Skye to dance. This was the only way to get work then and before the band developed their own sound, Chuck Berry, Fleetwood Mac and Steely Dan numbers shared their set-list with more traditional ceilidh fare.