Biography

James C. MacPhee was born in Ballachulish. His father was renowned for his fluency in Gaelic, and his mother, originally from Easdale, filled the home with song. She sang indoors, and she sang as she and young James gathered firewood together.

Ballachulish at that time was a place where music was woven into daily life. When the day's work was done, the voices of the village men could be heard rising from every house. Growing up in such an atmosphere, James absorbed a wealth of songs.

On Sundays, the church singing was led by a man named Billy, whose remarkable voice made a deep impression on the young boy; James hoped one day to sing as well as Billy.

In 1916, the family moved to Glasgow. James's brother, Ewan MacPhee, who would later serve for thirty years as head of the BBC Gaelic Department, described the upheaval of that move:

"We were like fish out of water when we moved to Glasgow. We thought the city was strange, and it was hard for us at first. But we managed. I had an older brother, but he died of the flu after the First World War, and so the responsibility of the family fell on me. James and Iain, the two younger brothers, started school in Glasgow. The headmaster didn't have the space to take them in, as his class was already full, but my mother insisted, and eventually they were accepted. After school, the headmaster told my mother not to hold back James and Iain from going further with their education."

The MacPhees settled in Overnewton, an area with many Gaelic-speaking families, and their home soon became known as a ceilidh house. As Ewan said:

"Our house became well known among the Gaelic community in Glasgow. I'm sure there wasn't a night when it wasn't full of visitors singing songs and telling stories. There wasn't a house like it. My mother would sing for us, and James, still just a young boy, would sing as and when requested."

It was not long before James gained a reputation as a singer among the Gaels of the city. The Highland Club, a respected society in Glasgow, frequently invited him to perform at their gatherings.

After leaving Kent Road School, James trained as a draughtsman with Harland and Wolff. When he completed his apprenticeship, he joined the William Beardmore Company, builders of ships on the Clyde.

In 1935, he was invited to London to work for the British Salmson Aero Engines company as a technical advisor, and by the end of the war he had risen to the position of director.

Before leaving Glasgow, James had attended the Athenaeum to develop his singing voice, which was naturally special. He won the Gold Medal and the Oban and Lorne Medal at the Perth Mòd in 1929.

He also sang in the renowned choir of St Columba's Church in Glasgow. There he met fellow chorister Morag MacKinnon from Glendale, Skye, and they married in 1930.

They settled in London, where James became a central figure in the Gaelic community. He served as president of the London Gaelic Society and of the London Mòd for many years. He also established an annual dinner where each year someone would be honoured for their contribution in enhancing the reputation of their homeland.

Speaking on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, Walter Ross from Skye recalled:

"James and I were both officials at the Gaelic Society in London for many years. Many pleasant evenings were spent with friends from Scotland and other countries at mòds, ceilidhs, and concerts. James was president of the Society for years – well spoken, fluent in both languages, full of stories always told with joy and enthusiasm. He was also the main writer for the newspaper An t-Albannach Seachdaineil for many years. He was an outstanding singer and could keep a cèilidh going by himself all evening."

James was also highly regarded among the Bretons in France and was commended by the University of Rennes for his abilities. He sang on radio stations across Europe and was well known in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons, where he counted many MPs among his acquaintances.

His reputation extended into musical and opera circles as well. In 1951, at the premiere of the ballet Donald of the Burthens, James performed the port Tha Fionnlagh ag Innearadh for the dancers at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Sadly, his life was cut short. Illness overtook him, and although surgery was attempted, it cost him his voice and could not save his life. James C. MacPhee died aged just 58.