Tributes have been flooding in for ’Ceilidh King’ Fergie MacDonald who died last week a day before his 87th birthday.
Musicians from near and far converged at Our Lady of the Angels Church in Mingarry today to say and play their final farewells to the Moidart maestro who has delighted fans from across the world for well over half a century.
Born Ferguson MacDonald, Fergie descended from a direct line of Moidart MacDonald Clanranalds. He was a Gaelic speaking indigenous Gael with an in-depth knowledge of Moidart culture and history.
Educated at Mingarry Primary and Fort William High Schools, Fergie went on to join the army where he became a physical training instructor. On leaving the army, he graduated as a physiotherapist in Glasgow and progressed to become a physiotherapist to Partick Thistle FC and later a trainer for Fort William Shinty Club.
Fergie formed his first band in 1953, had his first BBC radio broadcast and first television appearances in 1964, and recorded no less than 50 vinyl, cassette and CD albums.
Despite being a global star with his button box accordion, Fergie lived a full Highland life as a stalker, gamekeeper and, rumour has it, even poacher.
Music was his life, however, coming second only to his family, and in 1966 he topped the Scottish singles charts with Loch Maree Islands
He was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2006 and awarded an MBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List in recognition of his services to Scottish traditional music in a career spanning almost 70 years.
As well as being a musical genius, Fergie was also an accomplished author, producing two books in his later years.
At last Wednesday’s meeting of the UK Parliament the following motion was tabled:
"That this House notes with sadness the passing of the great Fergie MacDonald, the legendary Scottish Ceilidh King and bandleader, who died aged 86 on 23 April 2024; pays tribute to his life and the joy and delight he brought to so many throughout the Highlands, Scotland, the pan-Celtic nations and through many other parts of the world."
To many however it was his huge character and sense of fun that endeared Fergie to the communities that knew him best.
Among the many tributes paid on the Lochaber Times Facebook page were:
There are very few people that can boast being known in the music industry by just one name.
Madonna and Beyonce come to mind quite quickly and this, of course, is followed by Fergie. The Ceilidh King was an enigma in everything he did in life and his contribution to traditional music and in-particular the ceilidh scene, was immeasurable. He will be deeply missed by us all.
It’s impossible to know where to start when talking about Fergie MacDonald.
The man, the myth, the legend. It was always an absolute privilege to be in his company - to sit beside him on and offstage, hear him play, listen to his stories and learn what mischief he had been up to will forever live on as some of my favourite memories.
Everybody that knew him have their own stories of Fergie, and each and every one of those stories end with everyone laughing out loud. He truly was a one-off.
Musically he transcended generations and always brought people together. His music has been celebrated all across the world and his love for tunes and tune-writing will certainly leave a legacy in the traditional music world. There is barely a dance or a session that doesn’t have at least one Fergie tune played at some point, and don’t get me started on the song writing!
They certainly broke the mould when making the Ferg and his impact and contribution to traditional music is quite simply immeasurable. Rest easy Fergie boy and keep the fingers going until we next catch up for a tune.
Thank you for the memories and thank you for being you.
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