Biography

Alasdair Matheson was born in Glasgow. His father, Angus Matheson, was from Staffin in Skye and his mother, Chrissie, was from Locheport, North Uist. They lived on Wellmeadow Road in Pollokshaws, Glasgow. When Alasdair was young he often spent his school holidays at his grandmother's house in Locheport, and this gave him a lifelong affection for North Uist.

Bu mhiann leam bhith 'g amharc bho mhullaichean Lì,
Beinn Mhòr an taoibh dheis is gach monadh is frìth,
'S Loch Euphort nam fiadh far 'eil dachaigh mo chridhe,
Gach alltan is linne sa mhòintich.

Alasdair spent some time working for An Comunn Gàidhealach alongside Neil Shaw in their Glasgow office. He also spent time working as a tea salesman. He married Jessie MacMillan from Shader, Point, Lewis and they had three children – Alasdair, who still lives in Stornoway; Christine, now deceased; and John, who lives in London.

In 1952 the family moved to Lewis and, alongside his two brothers-in-law, Alick Dan Archie and John Archie, they renovated and expanded the Crown Hotel in Stornoway, where all three of them worked. They later ran the Doune Braes Hotel in Carloway. Alasdair was very involved in community life in Stornoway. He served as chair of the Pier and Harbour Commission, chair of the Western Isles Tourism Group, was a member of the Stornoway Trust, and served on the committee of the Lewis Pipe Band. At various times he was a councillor, treasurer, magistrate, and finally provost of the town.

He was an excellent singer and was very popular at concerts and ceilidhs. Although he never won the Gold Medal, he recorded a number of records with Beltona. Today his son, John Matheson, or Ado as he is known, is a singer and songwriter, as heard on his CD Out on the Islands. On this CD he is accompanied by his son Hans Matheson, the acclaimed actor and musician who has appeared in films and on television alongside Kiera Knightley, Sam Neill, Anna Friel and Demi Moore.

Alasdair Matheson passed away at the age of 62 on the 15th of April 1973.

We are indebted to his son Alasdair for his help with this information.

List of compositions

Eilean Uibhist