10 Gorgeous Gaelic Voices
This post contains affiliate links that help support the blog. EDIT: A new Spotify playlist has been added at the bottom of the post.
When I was 19, a Gaelic song changed my life forever. I heard “’S Fliuch an Oidhche” by Catherine-Ann MacPhee on the Thistle and Shamrock radio program. My immediate reaction was: What is this language? It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard? I must learn more!
Hearing that song started me down a lifelong path with Scottish Gaelic language and culture. I was lucky to be able to start learning the language informally that year. Next I spent a year on exchange at the University of Aberdeen taking first-year Gaelic. From there I continued to pursue Gaelic when and where I could, eventually attending graduate school and researching Gaelic revitalization efforts.
Gaelic music has been a constant in my life since hearing that very first song. In the days before the internet, I bought Gaelic albums through mail order catalogues. I also noticed when taking Gaelic classes that the teacher would teach us a song or two along with the grammar. It didn’t take long to realize the central place of music and song in Scottish Gaelic culture. The bardic tradition, the cèilidh house, waulking or milling songs, hymns and psalms, archival recordings of oral traditions, the Mòd, fèisean, music festivals, are all a part of contemporary Gaelic culture. Songs from centuries ago are still learned and sung, alongside classics from the past few decades and new compositions.
Different kinds of songs and events may be favoured in Scotland and Nova Scotia; for example, Gaelic choirs are popular in Scotland, while milling frolics are popular in Nova Scotia. Music festivals like Celtic Connections in Glasgow and Celtic Colours in Cape Breton are perennial favourites everywhere. Gaelic songs are essential to Gaelic communities on all sides of the ocean.
If you’re interested in Scottish Gaelic and don’t have people nearby who can teach you, then commercial recordings of Gaelic song are a good place to start. Read the English translations from the insert while listening. Then after you start to learn the language (online or in person), you can study the Gaelic lyrics and try to pronounce them. Don’t bother looking for sheet music – there isn’t any unless you join a Gaelic choir. Gaelic teachers will give you a handout with the words, and then you pick up the tune by listening. Picking a favourite commercially recorded song and studying it in depth can be rewarding, as is comparing two different commercially recorded versions. Finally, if you are lucky, maybe you can engage in learning together in a class, singing with others, and possibly performing at social events. It doesn’t matter if you have a good singing voice or not, this process will help you learn the language and tune into Gaelic culture at the same time.
For those of you wondering where to dive in, I present a list of ten gorgeous Gaelic voices – Gaelic singers and groups whose work I love. My list consists mostly of albums released in the past decade or so, but also includes a few classics. The singers and groups in this list are fluent Gaelic speakers who also use the language outside the recording studio, and have released more than one album.
The tracks on these albums consist mainly or entirely of Gaelic songs. I do dearly love jigs n’ reels, but I prefer my Gaelic music “hardcore” (as I jokingly call it), not watered down with a ton of instrumentals or English songs, and not overproduced with layers of sound muddying the vocals.
It’s easy to listen for free online these days, and I urge you to check out free samples to see whose voices and arrangements speak to you the most. But if you like the music, then I urge you to support the artists’ livelihood by buying their work. Buying the music in this case also supports the Gaelic language.
This list is not comprehensive – there are many other wonderful Gaelic singers out there, as well as instrumental groups with Gaelic-speaking members. I may create more lists in the future, so if you have suggestions of your favourite Scottish Gaelic singers and groups, leave a comment below or drop me a line!
I have met many of these artists through various Gaelic activities over the years, and I am Facebook friends with some of them. I have also recently worked with one on a non-music-related project, and another performed at a literary event that I organized. None of the artists requested to be included in this list, and I have not received any consideration from artists or recording companies to write this blog post. If you purchase any albums through Amazon by clicking on the links below, a small percentage of the purchase price will go to support the costs of running the Gaelic.co blog, at no extra cost to you, and no cost to the artist. Mìle taing.
APRIL 2020 UPDATE: I have updated the album links below to include new albums recorded 2016-2020. I’ve also created a Spotify playlist with most of the albums listed here, which is embedded at the bottom of the post! Have a listen, and if you like it, buy the music and support Gaelic artists!
Catherine-Ann MacPhee
Originally from the Isle of Barra in the Western Isles of Scotland, Cathy-Ann now lives in Ottawa, Canada. She is the artist whose singing got me into Gaelic in the first place. The song “’S Fliuch an Oidhche” is on her first album, Cànan nan Gàidheal.
ALBUMS
Sùil air ais (Looking Back), 2004
Sings Màiri Mhòr, 1994
Chì Mi’n Geamhradh, 1991
Cànan nan Gàidheal, 1987
Cliar
This is something of a Gaelic “supergroup” which has featured at different times, Art Cormack, Mary Ann Kennedy, Blair Douglas, Chaz Stewart, Maggie Macdonald, Bruce MacGregor, and Ingrid Henderson. Their website at Macmeanma records explains, “The name of the band was taken from a Highland tour back in 1991… [which] went under the name for the itinerant musicians and poets that used to travel from place to place offering entertainment in exchange for hospitality.” | Artists’ website
ALBUMS
Grinn Grinn, 2005
Gun Tàmh, 2003
Lasair Dhè, 2001 – a Christian worship album featuring collaborations with choirs
Cliar, 2000
Fiona J. MacKenzie
Fiona has won numerous Gaelic singing competitions in Scotland. She currently is the manager and archivist of Canna House on the Isle of Canna, owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Canna House is the former home of John Lorne Campbell and Margaret Fay Shaw and still houses their library, archives, and collections. | Artist’s website
ALBUMS
Archipelago, 2011
A Good Suit of Clothes, 2009
Duan Nollaig, 2007
Orain nan Rosach, 2006
Gillebrìde MacMillan
Gillebrìde is from the Isle of South Uist and Gaelic was his first language. He is a Mòd Gold Medal winner and teaches Gaelic at the University of Glasgow. He also happens to star as Gwyllyn the Welsh Bard in the Outlander television series by Starz. | Artist’s website
ALBUMS
Freumhan Falaichte, 2018
Air Fòrladh (On Leave), 2011
Thogainn Ort Fonn!, 2006
Joy Dunlop
Raised in Conall, Argyll, Joy won the Mòd Gold Medal in 2010 and in 2015 was named both Traditional Singer of the Year and Traditional Inter-Celtic Dance Champion at the Pan Celtic Festival. She is also a Gaelic language instructor, and will be offering a great-looking Gaelic conversation course this summer at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. | Artist website
ALBUMS
Dithis, 2020 – with Andrew Dunlop
Faileasan, 2013
Fiere, 2012 – Collaboration with Twelfth Day featuring songs in Gaelic, English and Scots
Dusgadh, 2009
Julie Fowlis
Raised in the Isle of North Uist and Ross-shire, Julie is best known to the English-speaking world for singing the English theme song “Touch the Sky” from the Disney/Pixar film “Brave”. (A Gaelic song from “Mar a Tha Mo Chridhe” was also featured in a trailer for the movie.) | Artist website
ALBUMS
alterum, 2017
Gach Sgeul (Every Story), 2014
Uam (From Me), 2009
Dual, 2008 – Collaboration with Irish singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh in Irish, Gaelic, & English
Cuilidh, 2007
Mar a Tha Mo Chridhe (As My Heart Is), 2005
Kathleen MacInnes
Kathleen, from the Isle of South Uist, is a smoky-voiced singer who is known in the Gaelic world for working on BBC Alba (Gaelic television) and in film, but who might be best known outside the Gaelic world for singing on Ridley Scott’s “Robin Hood” film soundtrack. | Artist information
ALBUMS
Cille Bhrìde (Kilbride), 2012
Òg-mhadainn Shamhraidh (Summer Dawn), 2006
Margaret Stewart
Margaret is from the Isle of Lewis and for many years has specialized in pibroch song, a genre related to Highland bagpipe music. She has collaborated with noted piper Allan MacDonald on two of her three albums. She is currently offering workshops at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Scotland (on my bucket list)! | Artist website
ALBUMS
Togaidh Mi Mo Sheòlta, 2008
Colla Mo Rùn, 2001 – with piper Allan MacDonald
Fhuair Mi Pòg, 1998 – with piper Allan MacDonald
Mary Jane Lamond
Mary Jane grew up in Ontario, Canada while regularly visiting her grandparents in Cape Breton. She lives in Nova Scotia and has done an enormous amount of work to bring Cape Breton Gaelic songs to a wider audience in Canada and internationally. In addition to performing, she works with various Gaelic language revitalization programs in Nova Scotia. On her latest album she has formalized her collaboration with Cape Breton fiddler Wendy MacIsaac. | Artist website
ALBUMS
Seinn, 2012 – with Wendy MacIsaac
Stòras, 2005
Òrain Ghàidhlig, 2000
Làn Dùil, 1999
Suas E, 1997
Bho Thìr nan Craobh, 1996 – An iTunes purchase link is provided, as the version being sold on Amazon does not profit the artist
Runrig
Runrig was first formed in the Isle of Skye in 1973. The three albums of theirs listed here are my favourites; they are a bit like the classic rock of the Gaelic world. These albums feature lead singer Donnie Munro (who retired from the band in 1997 and was replaced by Canadian singer Bruce Guthro). Some of the songs on these albums have become new classics, learned by children in school and beloved by contemporary Gaelic singers. Consider these albums an essential part of your Gaelic cultural education. | Artists’ website
ALBUMS
Heartland, 1985
Recovery, 1981
The Highland Connection, 1979
Gorgeous Gaelic Voices Spotify Playlist (2020 Update)
I’m so excited to be able to update this post in 2020 with a Gorgeous Gaelic Voices Spotify playlist for you, featuring the artists and most of their albums listed above, plus most of their new releases since 2016 – 30 hours of Gaelic goodness!
I have only one request: if you like what you hear from an artist, then please buy the whole album! Streaming services pay artists only a tiny fraction of what they should. Buy the album and pay Gaelic artists fairly for their work. Extra bonus: buying an album from a Gaelic artist helps to the Gaelic language and culture too! Also, don’t neglect the music listed in this post that’s not on Spotify.
A lot of you suggested other artists in the comments, because this post was pretty arbitrary and left out so many fantastic singers, and you’re absolutely right! Look for more “Gorgeous Gaelic Voices” blog posts in 2020! I’ll update this post with the cross-links once they’re posted. In the meantime, happy listening!
A great list but I would have started it with Christine Primrose! Of course, there are too many to list but she is one of my top ten! She helped set me on my Gàidhlig journey, here in the US, in Alba fhèin and in Canada as well! and Christine will be in NYC in December!
So many Gaelic singers, so little time!
Tapadh leat! Yes I think there will be more of these blog posts coming with more artists included because how can you really pick just 10! (Christine is wonderful and I’ve added a link to her recording artist page in your comment so folks can find her work more easily!)
Hmm don’t agree with some of the choices here. One voice you have definitely missed is Alasdair Whyte from the Isle of Mull. His debut album Las is just superb, also his new album Fairich which he has released with Ross Whyte is something else. I know there are so many fantastic singers to choose from but sadly this list I feel hasn’t been selected from the wide choice of beautiful gaelic singers we have on offer. Mabey this has something to do with the same people being used for the same things?
Thank you for your suggestion! As for how I compiled the list, the only criteria were the ones listed in the post, including my own personal preferences. The number 10 is an artificial limit that allows a blog post of reasonable length to be completed and published – this is not at all a ranked “top ten” list. Clearly more posts on this topic will be in order! 🙂
Just bought two Runrig albums using the links here. I’m not familiar with much recent Gaelic music, thanks to my mom’s CD collection from the ’80s and ’90s, but I hope to check out some of the newer artists as well.
I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog again after a while away. Go you!!
Tapadh leat Yelena!
So I LOVE Runrig. I’m totally going to check out others!
Sgoinneil!
A great list Emily! Thanks for doing what you do!
Sin sibh fhèin,
Randaidh
http://fiuran.com
I would defintely have included Na h-Óganaich (the young ones) from Lewis/ Éilean Leodhas in the Western Isleas Outer Hebrides/ Éilean Siar. Beautiful male and female voices with, I believe, Karen Matheson or was it MacLeod,and her brother Donnie Munro. Had their Gael Force 3 LP but do not know if it has been reissued. Even includes a fast-paced Cape Breton medley!
Also cannit believe you did not mention Capercaillie! (a Scottish grouse, as in caber céilidh, I guess!)
There was a Scottish Gaelic female singer on one of Breton language singer Denez Prigent’s CD “Sarac’h” (rustle, as in rustling of leaves, not cattle!). Karen somebody.
A doyen of Gaelic singing who should also be mentioned is the late Flora MacNeil (Flòraidh NicNéill) of Barra, who died a few years ago. She only recorded one or two albums, and years apart, but her album “Craobh nan Ubhal” from the 1970’s is a classic and a must if you want to understand a traditional love-song such as “Mo Rùn Geal Òg”. Unfortunately, “Craobh nan Ubhal” came out in an era where nobody found it necessary to include sleeve-notes for the songs (for a long time, the attitude was “If you’re buying this, then you’re probably a Gael anyway and so do not need the words”, which was very self-limiting), but maybe future re-issues of “Craobh nan Ubhal” can address this. Since the 1990’s, most Gaelic albums do the sensible thing and come with a decent set of sleeve-notes.
I am also a fan of (the also sadly deceased) Ishbel McAskill (Iseabail NicAsgill) of Lewis: listen to her version of “Tha mo spiorad cianail” to understand what it means.
As a final point, I should mention that I have had the good fortune of meeting in person a fair number of the singers mentioned in this article and, apart from having lovely singing-voices, they are all normal, down-to-earth people. ‘S ann mar sin a’s math leinn ar cuid sheinneadairean – that’s how we like our singers!
Is mise le meas,
Eòghann P.
A list of the best has to include Art MacCormack, Seumas Greumach, the other Fiona Mackenzie, Eilidh Mackenzie, and even Brian Ó hEadhra, who at his best is peerless (Tàladh na Beinne Goirme and others)
…and the greatest of the lot (although sadly no longer with us) Ishbel MacAskill.
And if you’re mentioning Runrig, which I would too, you should probably mention Play Gaelic, the only album they produced that’s entirely in Gaelic.
Mòran taing!
Slàinte Dr. McEwan, a quick shout out for Rachel Walker & Robert Robertson, as well. Have you viewed the Youtube video of him singing,”Eilidh,” in the wee hours of the morning? Clearly, the boys were “fou”, but what a beautiful rendition. The lad has a set of pipes! The list grows!
Mòran taing!
Can anyone help me to remember a group I saw as a child. It must have been around 1986. The group was all female and they all played instruments as well as singing. I was captivated and still remember the melodies of some of the songs but I can’t remember the name of them. I bought their tape after the show and all the girls signed it for me but it’s been lost through time.
The music featured a lot of waulking/rowing songs that were fast paced.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I’m so sorry I can’t work out who this would have been! Is it possible they were Irish and not Scottish Gaelic?
I honestly don’t know. I was pretty young. I remember a big cello that I thought was amazing. I spoke to them after the gig and they all signed my tape cassette. I listened to it for years but it’s been lost between so many house moves. So frustrating because they were fantastic.
I would love to see a top ten of up and coming Gaidhlig singers…
Great idea! I’ll try to put together a new blog post soon. I am working on some Spotify playlists as well, so maybe I can embed them in the new post!
Great list you have there! You should have a listen to kim. Annie and Mischa McPherson too 🙂
Hi Emily, I highly recommend Fiùran band from Ottawa! Their unique sound will move you! They sure deserve to be on your next top ten list! 🙂