Biography

James MacDonald was the grandson of the poet Lachlann Livingstone (Lachlann Dubh a' Chrògain), who composed songs such as Dòmhnall an Dannsair and Ma Phòsas Mi, Cha Ghabh Mi Tè Mhòr. His family moved from Oban to Port Ramsay in Lismore when he was seven years old. He left school at 14 and worked for a time on the ferry between Lismore and Portnacroish. He spent some time on a yacht but when he had saved some money he went to study at the Nautical College in Glasgow, where he earned his qualification as a skipper. He sailed on ships with Nobel company but had to leave his job after falling ill. He married twice, and had two children, Margaret and Lachlan.

According to the book that Margaret wrote about the family, James was a friendly and kind-hearted man. He delighted in company, especially when music and singing were involved. He played both the pipe and the piano and would compose new tunes for his songs. As Margaret put it:

"When the house was extended in 1938, he got a piano. He was exceptionally good at playing dance music. He would often think of lyrics and tunes for his songs at the same time. At other times, like most poets, he would compose the tune after he had the words. But what set him apart was that he was keen to create new tunes, rather than use old ones. If he didn’t do that, he would apologise for someone else’s tune."

List of compositions

An t-Eilean Àlainn