Biography

Donella MacLeod was born in Stornoway on the 3rd of October 1963. Although the family home was in Glasgow at the time, her mother, Anna MacIver, Anna a' Phrovost from Breasclete, returned to the island to ensure the child would be a Lewis native.

Donella's father, Niall MacLeod, Niall Dhùghaill from Tolstacholais, was an officer in the prison service working in Barlinnie at the time. There are two older sisters in the family, Chrisann and Kenna. Gaelic was the language spoken at home. Due to Niall's job, the family had to move from time to time. Because of this, Donella spent a year in primary school in Riddrie and a year in Bishopbriggs before they settled in Falkirk. When she left school, she started working as a secretary but, after a short time, got a job as a communications officer with Central Scotland Police. She then followed in her father's footsteps and has worked for the prison service for many years.

Growing up in Falkirk, there was a monthly ceilidh in the town, and the family usually went together. At one of the ceilidhs, the Falkirk Youth Choir was singing and Donella thought she would like to sing with them. She did so, and after some time singing in the choir, gained confidence to sing on her own. Her first solo Mòd performance was in a competition for youth aged 10-12, and she remembers well that the song she sang was An t-Eilean Muileach. She sang for many years at the local and the National Mòd, in choirs, solo, and as part of a duet. She also spent some time directing the Falkirk Youth Choir.

Donella no longer sings publicly, only at home. She is married with two children, Neil and Anna.