Biography

Alick Nicolson, Ailig Nèill, was born and raised in Staffin. Like many of his contemporaries, he spent part of his early working life at sea before returning home after his marriage to work on the family croft, tending cattle and sheep. He also took on work as a handyman at the Flodigarry Hotel.

Alick was a keen singer with a particular fondness for the humorous songs of his relative Donald Nicolson [11272]. He also enjoyed the repertoire of Donald Joseph MacKinnon, An Eòsag [519], from Barra. Many of the songs in his repertoire came from his youth in Skye, learned in the homes and gatherings of the district. Others, such as Oidhche Suirghe Oighre MhicLeòid, he learned from a Skye man he met while working as a shepherd in the Black Isle.

He was a popular presence at ceilidhs, always willing to sing wherever he was invited. When visiting Glasgow, he often attended the ceilidhs in Knightswood.

We are grateful to Madge, Alick's daughter, for sharing this information.