Biography

James Smith was born in Newton, Stornoway, on 25 August 1929. His father, Ruairidh, was a stonemason from Melbost, near Stornoway, and his mother, Mary MacLeod, was from Brenish in Uig. The family had four children.

James attended the Nicolson Institute and, after leaving school, worked for the Roads and Bridges Department of Ross and Cromarty Council. When the Western Isles Council was established, the department became the Engineering Services Department, where James continued to work until his retirement.

Alongside his singing, James was an accomplished pianist. His brother Ruairidh played the fiddle and mandolin, and music was a constant presence in their home.

James had a deep love of music and took great pleasure in learning new songs and tunes. Although he enjoyed making recordings for organisations such as the BBC, he had no wish to perform in front of an audience.

Duncan 'Major' Morrison, a close friend, often accompanied James on piano at concerts in venues such as Dunvegan Castle, Dunrobin Castle, and Mount Stewart House in Northern Ireland. They also travelled to London as guests of the London Gaelic Choir. At such events, James performed a mixture of Gaelic, English, Irish, and classical songs.

James won the Gaelic Society Gold Medal at the Royal National Mòd in Edinburgh in 1951.

After retiring, he travelled to York three or four times a year, drawn by the cathedral and the music. He also loved visiting the Dales.

James passed away on 7 December 2015.