Arthur Cormack

OBE
Cormack singing at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in 2021.
Cormack singing at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in 2021.
Born (1965-04-21) 21 April 1965
Portree, Scotland
EducationPortree High School
Occupation(s)Chief Executive of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Chairman of Bòrd na Gàidhlig (2009-2012), singer, musician, broadcaster
SpouseShona MacDonald (m. 1991)
Children3
HonoursOBE (2015)
Musical career
GenresGaelic song and music
Instrument(s)Vocals, keyboards

Arthur Cormack OBE (Scottish Gaelic: Art MacCarmaig; born 21 April 1965) is a Scottish Gaelic singer and musician from Portree, Isle of Skye and was educated at Portree High School.

He is currently Chief Executive Officer of Fèisean nan Gàidheal.

Music

Cormack started competing in Gaelic singing competitions when he was 8 and competing at Mòds when he was 11.[1] He won the coveted Gold Medal at the Motherwell Mòd in 1983 at the age of 18, the youngest male individual to do so, and went on to release his first album, Nuair Bha Mi Òg, the following year aged just 19.[2]

He followed this up in 1989 with the release of his second solo studio album, Ruith na Gaoith, in 1989.[3]

He was part of acclaimed Gaelic supergroups Mac-Talla and Cliar, with Mac-Talla releasing their only studio album Mairidh Gaol is Ceòl in 1994,[4] and Cliar releasing four albums: Cliar in 2000,[5] which was voted the Best Album at the inaugural Scottish Trad Music Awards in 2003,[6] Lasair Dhè in 2001,[7] Gun Tàmh[8] in 2002, and Grinn Grinn in 2005.[9]

In addition to this, he also runs his own Macmeanmna label and continues to guest star on the albums of Blair Douglas.

At the 2011 Scots Trad Music Awards, Cormack received the "Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award".[10]

Cormack released his third solo studio album, his first for 29 years, in 2018, titled Buanas, which received critical acclaim from critics.[11][12]

Gaelic

Cormack is a strong advocate for the Scottish Gaelic language. In 2009 he was appointed as the chairman of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, having been the organization's interim chairman since the previous year,[13] as well as Chief Executive of Fèisean nan Gàidheal for many years. He was a proactive chairman, often taking to internet forums to counteract anti-Gaelic sentiment. He stepped down in March 2012.[14] He was also formerly on the Board of Directors of Eden Court Theatre in Inverness and the Scottish Arts Council.

Cormack also occasionally co-hosts the Dùrachdan requests show on BBC Radio Nan Gàidheal, primarily with fellow broadcaster Mairead MacLennan.

Cormack was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to Gaelic education.[15][16]

Personal life

Cormack lives in Portree with his wife Shona. They have three children, Ruairidh, Eilidh and Iain.

Eilidh, Ruairidh and Iain are all singers, with Eilidh winning the women's Gold Medal and Ruairidh winning the men's Traditional Gold Medal at the Inverness Mòd in 2014,[17] Ruairidh also winning the men's Gold Medal at the Dunoon Mòd in 2018.[18] Iain went on to win the men's Gold Medal at the Paisley Mòd in 2023.[19] Eilidh is also a member of Scottish traditional band, Sian.

Discography

  • Nuair a Bha mi Òg (1984)
  • Ruith na Gaoithe (1989)
  • Buanas (2018)

With Mac-Talla

  • Mairidh Gaol is Ceòl (1994)

With Cliar

  • Cliar (2000)
  • Lasair Dhè (2001)
  • Gun Tamh (2002)
  • Grinn Grinn (2005)


References

  1. ↑ HI-Arts: October 2003 Feature: Arthur Cormack
  2. ↑ Foot Stompin: Nuair Bha Mi Og
  3. ↑ Ruith na Gaoith
  4. ↑ Mairidh Gaol is Ceòl
  5. ↑ Cliar
  6. ↑ The Inaugural Scottish Trad Music Awards 2003
  7. ↑ Lasair Dhè
  8. ↑ Gun Tàmh
  9. ↑ Grinn Grinn
  10. ↑ "Record numbers vote at Trad Music awards". The Oban Times. 5 December 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  11. ↑ Review – Arthur Cormack: Buanas
  12. ↑ Living Tradition CD review of ARTHUR CORMACK - Buanas
  13. ↑ "Bòrd na Gàidhlig chair appointed". Scottish Government website. 22 February 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  14. ↑ "Bòrd na Gàidhlig Chair resigns". Stornoway Gazette. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  15. ↑ "No. 61092". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2014. p. N12.
  16. ↑ 2015 New Year Honours List
  17. ↑ "Brother and Sister make Mod history". The Press and Journal. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  18. ↑ "Here's for the competition – and Dunoon's scenery". The Press and Journal. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  19. ↑ "Skye singer becomes fourth family member to win Mod Gold Medal". The Press and Journal. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
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