Biography

Seumas Campbell from Iochdar, South Uist was locally known as Seumas Ailig Eòghainn. He was born in November 1973 and raised by his grandfather, Ailig Eòghainn, and grandmother, Eilidh. After leaving Iochdar School, he worked for a time at the South Uist Co-op, then at the Cregorry Co-op. In 1995, he began postal work, which he continues today. He serves Cregorry, Iochdar, and south to Geirinish. When the day's work is done, he helps his mother's brother, Ewan (Eòghainn Ailig Eòghainn), on the croft.

Seumas began singing in Primary 2. He recalls singing at the Uist Mòd while only in Primary 3. Unfortunately, he was given the wrong song and was the only boy competing in a girls' competition, singing Bà Bà mo Leanabh Beag. No wonder he lost! Before leaving primary school, one teacher in particular encouraged him to sing and learn new songs. That was Murdina Stewart from Barra. Seumas remembers the great work she did with the pupils, teaching them songs and putting on plays with them and taking them to the Uist Mòd.

Seumas also received great support from an Iochdar woman Ena MacDonald, Enag Dhodaidh. She encouraged him and taught him new songs, telling him stories and all kinds of folklore. She herself was involved in the Mòd. Seumas went to the National Mòd for the first time in 1985. He remembers the excitement going to Lochaber and how he sang the song O Nach Àghmhor in the only competition he entered. He won the Gold Medal for traditional singing at the Oban Mòd in 1992 and the Oban Times Gold Medal in 1996. Catriona Garbutt [1685] helped him prepare for both competitions.

Seumas does not sing much on stage nowadays as he suffers from nerves when singing in front of people. For relaxation, he listens to BBC Radio nan Gàidheal while driving the post van, and among his favourite singers are Mary MacMillan [9388], Alasdair 'Mòr' MacDonald [2372], Catriona Garbutt [1685] and the old recordings of Kate Patrick [2277].