Biography

Chrissie Cumming, née MacVicar, was born in Kentulavaig in Leverburgh in 1954 and is the daughter of Donald Angus MacVicar, also of Kentulavaig, and Katie Anne MacKenzie, Ceitidh Anna Choinnich Aonghais Ailein, who had connections to Barvas and Melbost in Point, Lewis. There were five children in the family, two girls and three boys.

Chrissie went to Leverburgh Primary School and Sir E. Scott School in Tarbert. She then spent a year working in the Harris Hotel before moving to Inverness where she has lived since. She began working as a nurse in the old R.N.I. and worked for many years in Raigmore Hospital.

Chrissie sang from a young age at local Mòds in Stornoway and the popular Leverburgh School concerts at Christmas time. Her singing voice comes from both sides of her family, and, although only Chrissie sings on stage, her sister Lisa also has a good voice, and her brother Kenneth precented in Greyfriars Church in Inverness. Another brother, Angus, precented in the Free Church in Leverburgh, as their father did before.

Chrissie won the Traditional Gold Medal at the Royal National Mod in Oban in 1978. She has for many years been a member of the Inverness Gaelic Choir and occasionally sings at ceilidhs and events.

Chrissie is married to Alick Cumming from Inverness and they have two daughters, Karen and Jenna. Jenna [9973] is also a very well-regarded singer and has won both Gold Medals at the Mòd.