Biography

According to the book Guthan Prìseil, edited by Anne Landin and published in 2010 in Cape Breton, Anna MacDonald (1904-1993) was the daughter of Dugald MacDonald (Dùghall Alasdair 'ic Dhòmhnaill 'ic Dhòmhnaill Bhàin Onorach) and Mary Beaton (nighean Alasdair MhicDhòmhnaill Pheutain). Her family originally came from the south-west part of Mabou on Cape Breton Island. Anna married Colin MacDonald, known as Collie Iain Shandaidh, and they lived in Port Hawkesbury.

Speaking about her on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, James Watson, who produced programmes on Cape Breton songs and singers as part of the Year of Song 2010, recalled:

"I remember meeting her twice while she was living in the Home in Gut, or in Port Hawkesbury as they also called it, and she was just a very small, tiny, delicate woman, but a truly fine singer."