Biography

Duncan Currie was born in Lochboisdale in 1913 and was the son of Angus Currie, Lochcarnan, and Mary MacDonald, Lochboisdale. They had six children: Mary, Mary Ann, Catriona, Ronald Joseph, Duncan and Jean. Angus worked the croft and Mary was a talented seamstress, often employed to make 'lèintean-bàis' (death shrouds) and wedding dresses. They also took in lodgers to help make an additional living.

Duncan left school aged fourteen and worked for many years as a docker at Lochboisdale pier whilst also working the croft. Duncan and his sister Jean never married and remained living in the family home in Lochboisdale. They continued to take lodgers which included policemen, teachers and bank workers. Their house was well known as a 'taigh-cèilidh' where there was a warm welcome, dram, song and story awaiting anyone who visited.

Duncan enjoyed singing and was particularly fond of the songs composed by Ròidseag (Roderick Campbell) and would visit him in South Lochboisdale. Duncan would use the long walk home to memorize these songs.

Like many Uist men at the time, Duncan was also a piper.

Other notable family members whose recordings are available on TAD include folksinger Jimmy Hutchison and fieldworker Rosemary Hutchison (children of Duncan's sister Mary Ann). Also, Duncan's father's brother, Anthony Currie of Lochcarnan was recorded by Calum Iain Maclean in 1959.

Duncan passed away on the 10th of December 2002 in the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway. In his later years he suffered from dementia. Duncan was a very happy and kind man who is still fondly remembered by his extended family and the local community.