Biography

Born in Gorten, Acharacle, and was a gamekeeper and bard. After leaving school when he was almost fourteen years old, Donald was employed as a gardener by the Forestry Commission before getting a job helping to build the main road through Ardnamurchan. He also had seasonal work as a gillie and this led to full-time employment as a gamekeeper on various estates. He worked on Lord Astor's estate in Jura from 1931-1943 and the island inspired much of his nature poetry.

There had been many bards among the McColls who settled in Ardamurchan in previous centuries and Donald's father, two of his uncles, and at least one of his brothers all composed songs. Donald wrote songs on various themes, including love, death, his children, and significant occasions and incidents in the local community. However, his most notable songs relate to nature, those in which he describes places he loves and the creatures to be found there. Donald's vivid descriptions stretch beyond those of majestic animals such as stags and eagles to include creatures such as mice, ants, seagulls and bumblebees in their various habitats.

List of compositions

Fàgail Cheann Gheàrrloch
Faoin Thàladh