Biography

Arthur Cormack was born and raised on the Isle of Skye, where he still lives, in Portree, with his wife Shona. They have three children: Ruairidh, Eilidh and Iain.

He started singing when he was about eight years old and won the Gold Medal at the National Mod when he was only 18, the youngest male ever to win this award. He has made several albums, singing solo and with bands such as Mac-talla and Cliar, and is often heard on radio and seen on television programmes.

He is also one of the four people who set up the company Macmeanmna, and was chairperson for 14 years of Àros Ltd, the company which built and runs the centre in Portree, which includes a cinema and theatre.

As director of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, he and his staff would organise almost 50 festivals, teaching around 13,000 young people each year. He has been on the Board of Directors of Hi-Arts, on the Board of Governors of Eden Court in Inverness, on the Music Committee of the Gaelic Arts Council, and is a member of the Gaelic Arts Council. He has also been Chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig and a member of the Board.

Arthur retired from his post at Fèisean nan Gàidheal in 2025.