Biography

Allan 'Dall' MacDougall was born in Glencoe around 1750. He was training as a tailor when he lost his sight, a life‑altering event that led him to rely on his musical talents for income. A skilled fiddle player, he performed at weddings and local gatherings to make ends meet.

Around 1790, Allan moved with his family to a poorhouse in Inverlochy, near Fort William. Interest in his songs grew steadily, and he began to consider preparing them for publication. He received support from the poet and scholar Ewen MacLachlan [11030], then headmaster in Aberdeen, who helped him bring his first collection to print in 1798. Not long after the book appeared, Allan came under the patronage of Alastair Ronaldson MacDonald of Glengarry (Alasdair Ronaldson Dòmhnallach Ghlinne Garadh), who offered him assistance and a place to live. In return, Allan composed poems praising the Glengarry family, as was customary. He also wrote on subjects such as alcohol and the domestic strife it could cause. John MacKenzie, editor of Sàr Obair nam Bàrd Gàidhealach, left a vivid description of the poet:

"In personal appearance Allan McDougall was thin and slender and somewhat diminutive in size. He commonly wore a black fillet over his eyes. He was seldom out of humour and very rarely nursed his wrath so long as to lead him to indulge in satire."

In 1826, Allan prepared a second collection of his songs and travelled across Argyllshire, Inverness-shire, and Ross-shire to gather subscribers. He secured a remarkable one thousand names, and the book was published in 1829. Sadly, he died before its completion and was buried in Kilfinan.

Today, Allan 'Dall' MacDougall is perhaps best remembered for Òran do na Cìobairean Gallta, a powerful protest against the influx of Lowland shepherds and their sheep, seen at the time as emblematic of the depopulation and transformation of the Highlands.

Thàinig oirnn do dh'Albainn crois
Tha daoine bochda nochdte ris
Gun bhiadh, gun aodach, gun chluain,
Tha 'n Àirde Tuath an dèidh a sgrios;
Chan fhaicear ach caoraich is uain
Goill mun cuairt dhaibh air gach slios
Tha gach fearann air dol fàs
Na Gàidheil 's an cinn fo fhliodh.

List of compositions

Òran Leannanachd (Nam Gaighinn Gille ri Cheannachd)