Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Obituary: Renowned Traditional Gaelic singer Iain Mackay

Mod signer Iain Mackay has died aged 78
Mod signer Iain Mackay has died aged 78

Tributes have been paid to Iain Mackay, one of Gaeldom’s most highly-acclaimed singers, who has died.

The 78-year-old was born and raised in Upper Bayble in Point in Lewis.

Deeply rooted in the language and its culture, he favoured the traditional style of Gaelic singing, unaccompanied by any musical instrument.

His lifelong association with Gaelic singing started as a very young boy, later competing at National Mòds with Lochs Choir.

Standing out as a superb soloist, he won a medal in 1966 at the local Mòd in Lewis.

At the 1972 National Mòd in Inverness, he clinched the Traditional Gold Medal, just one year after the competition was introduced.

He also represented Scotland at the Pan Celtic Festival in Ireland, winning the Traditional Solo Singing competition.

In his day job, Iain Mackay repaired vehicles, employed as a mechanic at the Co-op garage in Stornoway at a time the supermarket firm ran a fleet of mobile grocery shops across the island. When that era passed, he set up his own workshop in the town.

Many a time tuning up engines was set aside as immense demand for his singing talents called him to virtually every inhabited island on the west coast. Always a crowd puller at annual gatherings of Gaels exiled on the mainland, organisers of concerts and cèilidhs clamoured for his presence.

Whether in the grand surroundings of Celtic Connections in Glasgow, a village hall on Tiree or the Dark Island Hotel in Benbecula, his rich, melodious voice enthralled every audience.

Lochs Gaelic Choir paid a warm tribute in a message: “We were sad to hear about Iain Mackay passing away. He was a former member of the choir, as was his wife Dollag.

“It’s hard to put thoughts into words; so many memories, so many laughs, and so many songs. All our sympathy to those who are grieving just now.”

Glasgow Lewis and Harris Association said: “Iain had such an incredible voice and wonderful personality – a real loss for Gaelic traditional singing.”

An Comunn Gàidhealach, organisers of the Royal National Mod said: “We were saddened to learn of the death of a dear friend, Iain Mackay, who passed away at the age of 78.

“Iain was one of the greatest and most renowned Gaelic singers of all time.

“He brought great joy to us all over the years with his wonderful singing voice.

“Our thoughts are with Iain’s wife Dollag and family and friends at this sad time. He will be greatly missed.”

Iain Mackay died on Thursday. He was buried in Aignish Cemetery in his home district of Point on Saturday.