Biography

Murdo Gillies was born on 6 November 1936 at 47 North Shawbost. His mother was Katie Ann 'Kent' (Kent being the nickname by which she was known), and his father was Colin Gillies, both natives of Shawbost.

Murdo's gift for singing came from his mother's side of the family. Katie Ann, a fisherwoman, often heard and learned new songs in the port towns and passed them on to her son. Among the many songs Murdo learned from her was Cha Mhol Mi Fhèin an t-Saighdearachd.

The family had a gramophone and a radio, and Murdo also absorbed a wide range of music through listening. His mother had sung at concerts in her youth, and Murdo followed in her footsteps. In time, there was scarcely a Friday night when he wasn't performing at a concert somewhere on the island. He never competed at the Mòd, he said, because he lacked the confidence.

Murdo sang all kinds of songs - those from his own area, as well as pieces by singers such as Alick Martin (Froilig) [11229] from Back. There were many notable singers in the district at that time, including Murdo MacLeod (Sgiotaran) [10953], Aulay Dho'ill Ruaidh, and a man Murdo greatly admired, Kenneth Finlayson, better known as Spaidsear.

At the age of 18, Murdo spent a season working in the whaling industry in South Georgia. He later returned home to Shawbost, where he made his living weaving tweed and working in the mills in both Shawbost and Carloway. He married Donalda from Bragar.

In later years, ill health forced Murdo to stop singing. He passed away on 4 July 2022.