Runrig
Encyclopedia
Runrig are a Scottish
Celtic rock
group formed in Skye
, in 1973 under the name 'The Run Rig Dance Band'. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included songwriters Rory Macdonald
and Calum Macdonald. The current line-up also includes longtime members Malcolm Jones, Iain Bayne, and more recently, Bruce Guthro
, and Brian Hurren. To date, the band has released thirteen studio albums, with a number of their songs sung in Scottish Gaelic.
Initially formed as a three-piece dance band, which played wedding receptions, the trio's first performance took place at Kelvin Hall
, in Glasgow
.
Runrig's music is often described as a blend of folk
and rock
music, with the band's lyrics often focusing upon locations, history, politics and people that are unique to Scotland. Songs also make references to agriculture
and land conservation.
At present, Runrig's largest fan bases can be found in the United Kingdom
, Denmark
, and Germany
. Since 1999, the band has gained attention in Canada
, following Nova Scotia
n singer Bruce Guthro's entry to the band.
Donnie Munro
joined the following year and they started to expand outside their native Skye
. Douglas left the band in late 1974 and was replaced by Robert Macdonald. This line-up continued until 1978, when Douglas re-joined and Malcolm Jones became guitarist
, both displacing Robert Macdonald. This lasted until the following year when Douglas left again to pursue a solo career. 1981 saw the arrival of drummer
Iain Bayne (ex-New Celeste) and keyboard
player Richard Cherns. Cherns left in February 1986 and was replaced by ex-Big Country
member Peter Wishart
.
. With major-label support, Runrig's fifth studio album, The Cutter And The Clan (1987), brought the band wider audiences in the United Kingdom, as well as in other parts of Europe.
From 1987 to 1995, Runrig released a total of five studio albums through Chrysalis Records. Along with The Cutter And The Clan, the other four albums were: Searchlight (1989), The Big Wheel (1991), Amazing Things (1993), and Mara (1995).
Following the release of Mara, lead singer Donnie Munro grew more involved in politics, and in 1997, he left Runrig in order to compete for a seat in the House of Commons for the Labour Party
. However, he was not elected.
Runrig began searching for a new frontman, and in 1998, they announced their selection of Bruce Guthro
, a singer-songwriter
from Nova Scotia
.
(1999), was released amidst some uncertainty about the band's future.
Since their contract with Chrysalis had ended, Runrig chose to release In Search Of Angels on their own label, Ridge Records. As a result, the record received much less promotion than the previous five, and sales were considerably smaller. Runrig was also faced with the challenge of acclimating their fans to a new lead vocalist
. The band toured extensively in support of the record, and in 2000, they also released a live album called Live At Celtic Connections 2000
, allowing fans to hear older Runrig songs sung by their new frontman.
The year 2000 concluded with the release of an authorised songbook, Flower Of The West - The Runrig Songbook. The book included lyrics, sheet music, photographs, and background information for 115 of Runrig's songs - nearly every album track and single from the band's first ten studio albums.
Among their independently-released studio albums, The Stamping Ground
(2001) was Runrig's most successful. Moreover, critics who had given mixed reviews to In Search Of Angels, praised The Stamping Ground as the quintessential Runrig album. The band continued to enjoy support in the UK, Germany, and Denmark. However, with a North American frontman, Runrig began finding new fans in Canada and the United States.
In 2001
, Peter Wishart, the band's keyboard player, left after being elected Member of Parliament
for the constituency of Tayside North
for the Scottish National Party
. In the 2005 election
he was again elected, this time for the new constituency of Perth and North Perthshire
again for the SNP. Brian Hurren stepped in to take Wishart's place in the band. Wishart was re-elected again in the 2010 General Election.
Although Runrig's popularity has waned somewhat since its peak in the mid-1990s, it remains an active band, touring regularly and releasing albums through its own label, Ridge Records.
The 2001 album The Stamping Ground
was seen very much as a return to form after the lacklustre In Search Of Angels
(1999), but 2003's Proterra
divided opinion.
In August 2003, Runrig played their 30th Anniversary concert on the esplanade at Stirling Castle, celebrating 30 years since the band's formation, and including visitors from previous line-ups, as well as guest artists including the Glasgow Islay Choir and Paul Mounsey.
Runrig played their first U.S. concert, a benefit for the charity "Glasgow the Caring City", on April 4, 2006 at the Nokia Theatre in New York City. Founding member Blair Douglas joined the band onstage, playing accordion on several numbers. In the audience were fans from as far away as Texas
, Alabama
, Florida
, Colorado
, Minnesota
, and Scotland.
While the bulk of their 2007 tour was scheduled for Denmark, Germany, and England, an outdoor show, titled Beat The Drum, was held at Loch Ness
on 18 August 2007. It was staged at Borlum Farm, Drumnadrochit
and attended by 18,500 people in heavy rain. It was an all-day music festival, Runrig being the headline act. This was the first in Runrig's big outdoor annual Scottish summer shows.
Runrig re-recorded Loch Lomond
(Hampden Remix) to raise funds for the BBC's annual Children In Need
appeal. This was released on 12 November [year] and includes the 'Tartan Army
' (Scotland's Hampden Football Supporters), including Rod Stewart
, on backing vocals. It reached #9 in the UK Singles Chart
.
Loch Lomond (Hampden Remix) was named "The Best Scottish Song Of All Time" in November 2008. The band were presented the award by Lulu
. On 5 December 2008, during the penultimate tour date at The Barrowlands, Glasgow
, the band was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall Of Fame, by the Scottish Traditional Music Awards Director.
On 29 August 2009, Runrig performed at Scone Palace for their third annual outdoor summer show. They were supported by acts such as the Peatbog Faeries
, piper Fred Morrison, King Creosote
, Kathleen Macinnes, and Blair Douglas (a former member of the group) and his band. Attendance numbered ~15,000.
The show was part of Scotland's Year of Homecoming 2009. In order to underline this, First Minister
Alex Salmond
made an appearance on stage, and launched an initiative called 'SconeStone.' This aims to promote Scotland
as a kind and compassionate nation through the "journey of kindness" made by the SconeStone across the world. Its keepers, each holding it for a week before passing it on, are expected to undertake a good deed. Its first keeper was the Reverend Neil Galbraith, who was presented the stone on the same day.
whilst running to catch a train. This forced the band to cancel a sizable tour of Austria, Switzerland and Germany. After undergoing minor surgery, he took to the stage with Runrig again in May of the same year. During a routine check up with his doctors in June 2009, he was strongly advised to have heart bypass surgery, which forced the band to cancel a tour of Denmark. The operation was a success and, although the band were forced to cancel their show at the 35th Tønder Festival
in Tønder
, Denmark, Malcolm returned to the stage in late August 2009, at the band's big outdoor Scottish Homecoming
show for 2009 at Scone Palace
, Perthshire
, Scotland. However, on the 28th of February 2010, just a week prior to an extensive German tour, it was announced that Malcolm would have to have yet another operation which in turn forced the band to cancel/postpone their Spring dates in Germany
, due to start on the 3rd March 2010. In a statement released by the band on their official website they noted that Malcolm's health was "good" and that the problem was "purely a technical one". They also emphatically stated that "All other concerts planned for 2010 will go ahead."
It was announced that the winter tour scheduled for winter 2010 would be the last tour for a year with the band planning no concerts in 2011 so that they can focus on other projects. The final date for 2010 was in the Barrowland Ballroom
, Glasgow
which is traditionally where the band finishes their Scottish tours. In a statement released by the office, they promised it to be "quite a party".
On November 1, 2010, the band released a four-disc compilation, entitled 50 Great Songs
. The release includes both studio and live performances focusing upon Bruce Guthro
's time within the band.
, as all the songs were in that language. It was re-released in 1990 as "Play Gaelic, the first legendary recording". The second album, The Highland Connection
, was released a year later on the band's own label, Ridge Records. A somewhat transitional album, it features wailing electric guitar
s and ballad
s. Here to be found is the original version of Loch Lomond. A later version was to become their signature song and closing song at concerts. Recovery in 1981 was a thematic record
dealing with the rise and politics of Scotland's Gaelic community.
In 1982 they re-recorded Loch Lomond as their first single. They signed to a small label called Simple Records in 1984, and two singles were released. The first was Dance Called America.
A longer version of the second single Skye appeared on the Alba Records compilation
A Feast Of Scottish Folk Music, Volume One along with an early version of Lifeline, both of which were previously unreleased on albums, and Na H-Uain A's T-Earrach which was the B-side to Dance Called America.
The band engaged the services of producer Chris Harley
who brought to their recordings the benefit of his experience as a solo artist and a singer with The Alan Parsons Project and Camel. Heartland
in 1985 combined Gaelic sounds with anthemic rock music. The Cutter And The Clan
(1987), was the band's first album on a major label, Chrysalis Records
, though the album had previously been released by Ridge shortly before the band signed to Chrysalis.
At this time the band started to come to prominence in England, and the period from 1987–1997 marked Runrig's most successful run, during which they achieved placings in both the UK albums and singles charts, and toured extensively.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
Celtic rock
Celtic rock
Celtic rock is a genre of folk rock and a form of Celtic fusion which incorporates Celtic music, instrumentation and themes into a rock music context...
group formed in Skye
Skye
Skye or the Isle of Skye is the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate out from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillin hills...
, in 1973 under the name 'The Run Rig Dance Band'. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included songwriters Rory Macdonald
Rory MacDonald
Roderick Macdonald is the bassist of the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig, as well as their primary songwriter with his younger brother, Calum Macdonald. Rory tends to write the melody, and Calum the lyrics...
and Calum Macdonald. The current line-up also includes longtime members Malcolm Jones, Iain Bayne, and more recently, Bruce Guthro
Bruce Guthro
Bruce Guthro is a Canadian singer / songwriter, from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Guthro has recorded as a solo artist, and in 1998 also joined Scottish folk rock band Runrig, whilst still pursuing his solo career...
, and Brian Hurren. To date, the band has released thirteen studio albums, with a number of their songs sung in Scottish Gaelic.
Initially formed as a three-piece dance band, which played wedding receptions, the trio's first performance took place at Kelvin Hall
Kelvin Hall
The Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, Scotland, is a mixed-use arts and sports venue that opened as an exhibition centre in 1927. It has been a music hall, indoor arena and barrage balloon factory, and is currently home to the Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena and from 1987 to 2010, Glasgow's Museum of...
, in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
.
Runrig's music is often described as a blend of folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
and rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
music, with the band's lyrics often focusing upon locations, history, politics and people that are unique to Scotland. Songs also make references to agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and land conservation.
At present, Runrig's largest fan bases can be found in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Since 1999, the band has gained attention in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, following Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
n singer Bruce Guthro's entry to the band.
Formation and early years (1973 to 1987)
The band was formed in 1973 with brothers Calum and Rory Macdonald and their friend Blair Douglas.Donnie Munro
Donnie Munro
Donnie Munro is a Scottish musician, and former lead singer of the band Runrig.A native speaker of Scottish Gaelic, much of his work is in that language.-Early life:...
joined the following year and they started to expand outside their native Skye
Skye
Skye or the Isle of Skye is the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate out from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillin hills...
. Douglas left the band in late 1974 and was replaced by Robert Macdonald. This line-up continued until 1978, when Douglas re-joined and Malcolm Jones became guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, both displacing Robert Macdonald. This lasted until the following year when Douglas left again to pursue a solo career. 1981 saw the arrival of drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Iain Bayne (ex-New Celeste) and keyboard
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
player Richard Cherns. Cherns left in February 1986 and was replaced by ex-Big Country
Big Country
Big Country are a Scottish rock band formed in Dunfermline, Fife in 1981. They were most popular in the early to mid-1980s, but they still release material for a cult following...
member Peter Wishart
Peter Wishart
Peter "Pete" Wishart is the Scottish National Party Member of Parliament for Perth and North Perthshire. He was the SNP Chief Whip at Westminster from 2001–2007 and is currently the party's Westminster Spokesperson for the Constitution, Home Affairs, Culture, Media and Sport and International...
.
Major label and mainstream success (1987 to 1997)
Following their fourth independent studio album, Heartland (1985), Runrig entered into a recording contract with ChrysalisChrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records was a British record label that was created in 1969. The name was both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis...
. With major-label support, Runrig's fifth studio album, The Cutter And The Clan (1987), brought the band wider audiences in the United Kingdom, as well as in other parts of Europe.
From 1987 to 1995, Runrig released a total of five studio albums through Chrysalis Records. Along with The Cutter And The Clan, the other four albums were: Searchlight (1989), The Big Wheel (1991), Amazing Things (1993), and Mara (1995).
Following the release of Mara, lead singer Donnie Munro grew more involved in politics, and in 1997, he left Runrig in order to compete for a seat in the House of Commons for the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
. However, he was not elected.
Runrig began searching for a new frontman, and in 1998, they announced their selection of Bruce Guthro
Bruce Guthro
Bruce Guthro is a Canadian singer / songwriter, from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Guthro has recorded as a solo artist, and in 1998 also joined Scottish folk rock band Runrig, whilst still pursuing his solo career...
, a singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
from Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
.
Transitional challenges (1997 to 2001)
Runrig's tenth album, In Search Of AngelsIn Search of Angels
In Search of Angels is a 1999 album, the tenth by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig.This is the first Runrig album without longtime lead vocalist Donnie Munro, introducing his replacement Bruce Guthro.-Track listing:# "Maymorning" - 5:44...
(1999), was released amidst some uncertainty about the band's future.
Since their contract with Chrysalis had ended, Runrig chose to release In Search Of Angels on their own label, Ridge Records. As a result, the record received much less promotion than the previous five, and sales were considerably smaller. Runrig was also faced with the challenge of acclimating their fans to a new lead vocalist
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
. The band toured extensively in support of the record, and in 2000, they also released a live album called Live At Celtic Connections 2000
Live at Celtic Connections 2000
Live at Celtic Connections 2000 is a live album by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig. It marked their first appearance at Celtic Connections, a Scottish music festival which takes place annually in Glasgow during the month of January.-Track listing:...
, allowing fans to hear older Runrig songs sung by their new frontman.
The year 2000 concluded with the release of an authorised songbook, Flower Of The West - The Runrig Songbook. The book included lyrics, sheet music, photographs, and background information for 115 of Runrig's songs - nearly every album track and single from the band's first ten studio albums.
Renewed popularity and continued success (2001 to present)
Having emphatically proven that they could continue without Donnie Munro, Runrig set to work on their eleventh studio album.Among their independently-released studio albums, The Stamping Ground
The Stamping Ground
The Stamping Ground is a 2001 album, the eleventh by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig. A copy of the album was aboard STS-107, and it was among the personal effects that were recovered following the crash of Space Shuttle Columbia on 01 February 2003...
(2001) was Runrig's most successful. Moreover, critics who had given mixed reviews to In Search Of Angels, praised The Stamping Ground as the quintessential Runrig album. The band continued to enjoy support in the UK, Germany, and Denmark. However, with a North American frontman, Runrig began finding new fans in Canada and the United States.
In 2001
United Kingdom general election, 2001
The United Kingdom general election, 2001 was held on Thursday 7 June 2001 to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. It was dubbed "the quiet landslide" by the media, as the Labour Party was re-elected with another landslide result and only suffered a net loss of 6 seats...
, Peter Wishart, the band's keyboard player, left after being elected Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for the constituency of Tayside North
Tayside North (UK Parliament constituency)
North Tayside was a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1983 until 2005. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post voting system....
for the Scottish National Party
Scottish National Party
The Scottish National Party is a social-democratic political party in Scotland which campaigns for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom....
. In the 2005 election
United Kingdom general election, 2005
The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005 to elect 646 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party under Tony Blair won its third consecutive victory, but with a majority of 66, reduced from 160....
he was again elected, this time for the new constituency of Perth and North Perthshire
Perth and North Perthshire (UK Parliament constituency)
Perth and North Perthshire is a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- Boundaries :...
again for the SNP. Brian Hurren stepped in to take Wishart's place in the band. Wishart was re-elected again in the 2010 General Election.
Although Runrig's popularity has waned somewhat since its peak in the mid-1990s, it remains an active band, touring regularly and releasing albums through its own label, Ridge Records.
The 2001 album The Stamping Ground
The Stamping Ground
The Stamping Ground is a 2001 album, the eleventh by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig. A copy of the album was aboard STS-107, and it was among the personal effects that were recovered following the crash of Space Shuttle Columbia on 01 February 2003...
was seen very much as a return to form after the lacklustre In Search Of Angels
In Search of Angels
In Search of Angels is a 1999 album, the tenth by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig.This is the first Runrig album without longtime lead vocalist Donnie Munro, introducing his replacement Bruce Guthro.-Track listing:# "Maymorning" - 5:44...
(1999), but 2003's Proterra
Proterra
For other uses, see Proterra Proterra is the twelfth album by the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig, with Paul Mounsey. Mounsey was invited to arrange two of the tracks, The Old Boys and An Toll Dubh...
divided opinion.
In August 2003, Runrig played their 30th Anniversary concert on the esplanade at Stirling Castle, celebrating 30 years since the band's formation, and including visitors from previous line-ups, as well as guest artists including the Glasgow Islay Choir and Paul Mounsey.
Runrig played their first U.S. concert, a benefit for the charity "Glasgow the Caring City", on April 4, 2006 at the Nokia Theatre in New York City. Founding member Blair Douglas joined the band onstage, playing accordion on several numbers. In the audience were fans from as far away as Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, and Scotland.
While the bulk of their 2007 tour was scheduled for Denmark, Germany, and England, an outdoor show, titled Beat The Drum, was held at Loch Ness
Loch Ness
Loch Ness is a large, deep, freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands extending for approximately southwest of Inverness. Its surface is above sea level. Loch Ness is best known for the alleged sightings of the cryptozoological Loch Ness Monster, also known affectionately as "Nessie"...
on 18 August 2007. It was staged at Borlum Farm, Drumnadrochit
Drumnadrochit
Drumnadrochit is a village inthe Highland local government council area of Scotland, lying on the west shore of Loch Ness, at the foot of Glen Urquhart.-History:...
and attended by 18,500 people in heavy rain. It was an all-day music festival, Runrig being the headline act. This was the first in Runrig's big outdoor annual Scottish summer shows.
Runrig re-recorded Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch, lying on the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. The lake contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles, although the lake itself is smaller than many Irish...
(Hampden Remix) to raise funds for the BBC's annual Children In Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
appeal. This was released on 12 November [year] and includes the 'Tartan Army
Tartan Army
The Tartan Army is a name given to fans of the Scotland national football team. They have won awards from several organisations for their friendly behaviour and charitable work...
' (Scotland's Hampden Football Supporters), including Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
, on backing vocals. It reached #9 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
Loch Lomond (Hampden Remix) was named "The Best Scottish Song Of All Time" in November 2008. The band were presented the award by Lulu
Lulu (singer)
Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day...
. On 5 December 2008, during the penultimate tour date at The Barrowlands, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, the band was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall Of Fame, by the Scottish Traditional Music Awards Director.
On 29 August 2009, Runrig performed at Scone Palace for their third annual outdoor summer show. They were supported by acts such as the Peatbog Faeries
Peatbog Faeries
The Peatbog Faeries are a largely instrumental Celtic fusion band. Formed in 1991, they are based in Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.Their music embodies many styles and influences, including folk, electronica, rock and jazz, - but their main influence is traditional celtic music...
, piper Fred Morrison, King Creosote
King Creosote
Kenny Anderson, known primarily by his stage name King Creosote, is an independent singer-songwriter from Fife, Scotland. To date, Anderson has released over forty albums, with his latest, Thrawn, released in 2011. Anderson is also a member of Scottish-Canadian band, The Burns Unit...
, Kathleen Macinnes, and Blair Douglas (a former member of the group) and his band. Attendance numbered ~15,000.
The show was part of Scotland's Year of Homecoming 2009. In order to underline this, First Minister
First Minister of Scotland
The First Minister of Scotland is the political leader of Scotland and head of the Scottish Government. The First Minister chairs the Scottish Cabinet and is primarily responsible for the formulation, development and presentation of Scottish Government policy...
Alex Salmond
Alex Salmond
Alexander Elliot Anderson "Alex" Salmond MSP is a Scottish politician and current First Minister of Scotland. He became Scotland's fourth First Minister in May 2007. He is the Leader of the Scottish National Party , having served as Member of the Scottish Parliament for Gordon...
made an appearance on stage, and launched an initiative called 'SconeStone.' This aims to promote Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
as a kind and compassionate nation through the "journey of kindness" made by the SconeStone across the world. Its keepers, each holding it for a week before passing it on, are expected to undertake a good deed. Its first keeper was the Reverend Neil Galbraith, who was presented the stone on the same day.
Health concerns (2009/2010)
In March 2009, guitarist Malcolm Jones suffered a heart attack in EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
whilst running to catch a train. This forced the band to cancel a sizable tour of Austria, Switzerland and Germany. After undergoing minor surgery, he took to the stage with Runrig again in May of the same year. During a routine check up with his doctors in June 2009, he was strongly advised to have heart bypass surgery, which forced the band to cancel a tour of Denmark. The operation was a success and, although the band were forced to cancel their show at the 35th Tønder Festival
Tønder Festival
Tønder Festival is a large annual folk music festival in Tønder, Denmark. It is always held at the last weekend of August.It was founded in 1975....
in Tønder
Tønder
Tønder is a municipality in Region of Southern Denmark on the Jutland peninsula in south Denmark. The municipality covers an area of 1,278 km², and has a total population of 40,367...
, Denmark, Malcolm returned to the stage in late August 2009, at the band's big outdoor Scottish Homecoming
Homecoming Scotland 2009
Homecoming Scotland 2009 was a series of events designed to attract people of Scottish ancestry to visit Scotland. The campaign, organised by EventScotland and VisitScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, and part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, claimed that "for every...
show for 2009 at Scone Palace
Scone Palace
Scone Palace is a Category A listed historic house at Scone, Perthshire, Scotland. It was constructed in 1808 for the Earls of Mansfield by William Atkinson...
, Perthshire
Perthshire
Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south...
, Scotland. However, on the 28th of February 2010, just a week prior to an extensive German tour, it was announced that Malcolm would have to have yet another operation which in turn forced the band to cancel/postpone their Spring dates in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, due to start on the 3rd March 2010. In a statement released by the band on their official website they noted that Malcolm's health was "good" and that the problem was "purely a technical one". They also emphatically stated that "All other concerts planned for 2010 will go ahead."
It was announced that the winter tour scheduled for winter 2010 would be the last tour for a year with the band planning no concerts in 2011 so that they can focus on other projects. The final date for 2010 was in the Barrowland Ballroom
Barrowland Ballroom
The Barrowlands is a major dance hall and concert venue in Glasgow, Scotland.-History of Barrowland Ballroom:The original building opened in 1934 in a mercantile area east of Glasgow's city centre...
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
which is traditionally where the band finishes their Scottish tours. In a statement released by the office, they promised it to be "quite a party".
On November 1, 2010, the band released a four-disc compilation, entitled 50 Great Songs
50 Great Songs
50 Great Songs is a box set by Scottish celtic rock band Runrig, released on 1 November 2010 on Ridge Records. Consisting of three CDs and a DVD, the release focuses predominately on lead singer Bruce Guthro's time within the band....
. The release includes both studio and live performances focusing upon Bruce Guthro
Bruce Guthro
Bruce Guthro is a Canadian singer / songwriter, from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Guthro has recorded as a solo artist, and in 1998 also joined Scottish folk rock band Runrig, whilst still pursuing his solo career...
's time within the band.
Music
Runrig's first album was released in 1978, called Play GaelicPlay Gaelic
Play Gaelic is the first album by the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig. It was released in 1978.-Album Style:The band's sound on the album is half way between traditional ceilidh music and pastoral folk as opposed to the harder rock edge which woud characterise the next album the Highland Connection...
, as all the songs were in that language. It was re-released in 1990 as "Play Gaelic, the first legendary recording". The second album, The Highland Connection
The Highland Connection
The Highland Connection is the second album by Celtic rock band Runrig. It was released in 1979.-Track listing:# "Gamhna Gealla" - 3:38# "Màiri" - 2:56# "What Time?" - 2:30...
, was released a year later on the band's own label, Ridge Records. A somewhat transitional album, it features wailing electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
s and ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
s. Here to be found is the original version of Loch Lomond. A later version was to become their signature song and closing song at concerts. Recovery in 1981 was a thematic record
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
dealing with the rise and politics of Scotland's Gaelic community.
In 1982 they re-recorded Loch Lomond as their first single. They signed to a small label called Simple Records in 1984, and two singles were released. The first was Dance Called America.
A longer version of the second single Skye appeared on the Alba Records compilation
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
A Feast Of Scottish Folk Music, Volume One along with an early version of Lifeline, both of which were previously unreleased on albums, and Na H-Uain A's T-Earrach which was the B-side to Dance Called America.
The band engaged the services of producer Chris Harley
Chris Rainbow
Chris Rainbow is a Scottish rock singer and musician who had two minor hit songs, "Give Me What I Cry For" and "Solid State Brain" in the 1970s....
who brought to their recordings the benefit of his experience as a solo artist and a singer with The Alan Parsons Project and Camel. Heartland
Heartland (Runrig album)
Heartland is the fourth album by Celtic rock band Runrig. It was released in 1985, and was their first output in which English songs exceeded the number of Gaelic ones.-Track listing:# "O Cho Meallt" - 3:04...
in 1985 combined Gaelic sounds with anthemic rock music. The Cutter And The Clan
The Cutter and the Clan
The Cutter and the Clan is the fifth album by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig. It was the band's breakthrough album, taking them from cottage industry to the international stage. Originally recorded on the band’s own Ridge label, it was taken on board by Chrysalis Records as part of a 1987 major...
(1987), was the band's first album on a major label, Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records was a British record label that was created in 1969. The name was both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis...
, though the album had previously been released by Ridge shortly before the band signed to Chrysalis.
At this time the band started to come to prominence in England, and the period from 1987–1997 marked Runrig's most successful run, during which they achieved placings in both the UK albums and singles charts, and toured extensively.
Current members
- Roderick "Rory" MacdonaldRory MacDonaldRoderick Macdonald is the bassist of the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig, as well as their primary songwriter with his younger brother, Calum Macdonald. Rory tends to write the melody, and Calum the lyrics...
(1973–present)- Date of birth: 26/07/1949
- Place of birth: DornochDornochDornoch is a town and seaside resort, and former Royal burgh in the Highlands of Scotland. It lies on the north shore of the Dornoch Firth, near to where it opens into the Moray Firth to the east...
, SutherlandSutherlandSutherland is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic administrative county of Scotland. It is now within the Highland local government area. In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas: Dùthaich 'IcAoidh , Asainte , and Cataibh...
, ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the... - Instruments: bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals
- Malcolm "Calum" Macdonald (1973–present)
- Date of birth: 12/11/1953
- Place of birth: LochmaddyLochmaddyLochmaddy is the administrative centre of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland...
, North UistNorth UistNorth Uist is an island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.-Geography:North Uist is the tenth largest Scottish island and the thirteenth largest island surrounding Great Britain. It has an area of , slightly smaller than South Uist. North Uist is connected by causeways to Benbecula...
, Scotland - Instruments: percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
- Malcolm Jones (1978–present)
- Date of birth: 12/07/1959
- Place of birth: InvernessInvernessInverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
, Scotland - Instruments: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, pipesBagpipesBagpipes are a class of musical instrument, aerophones, using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. Though the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe and Irish uilleann pipes have the greatest international visibility, bagpipes of many different types come from...
, accordionAccordionThe accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
- Iain Bayne (1980–present)
- Date of birth: 01/01/1960
- Place of birth: St AndrewsSt AndrewsSt Andrews is a university town and former royal burgh on the east coast of Fife in Scotland. The town is named after Saint Andrew the Apostle.St Andrews has a population of 16,680, making this the fifth largest settlement in Fife....
, Scotland - Instruments: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Bruce GuthroBruce GuthroBruce Guthro is a Canadian singer / songwriter, from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Guthro has recorded as a solo artist, and in 1998 also joined Scottish folk rock band Runrig, whilst still pursuing his solo career...
(1998–present)- Date of birth: 31/08/1961
- Place of birth: Cape Breton IslandCape Breton IslandCape Breton Island is an island on the Atlantic coast of North America. It likely corresponds to the word Breton, the French demonym for Brittany....
, Nova ScotiaNova ScotiaNova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... - Instruments: lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Brian Hurren (2001–present)
- Date of birth: 09/10/1980
- Place of birth: FalkirkFalkirkFalkirk is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies in the Forth Valley, almost midway between the two most populous cities of Scotland; north-west of Edinburgh and north-east of Glasgow....
, Scotland - Instruments: keyboards
Former members
- Campbell Gunn (1976)
- Instruments: vocals
- Robert Macdonald (1974–1978)
- Instruments: accordion
- Blair Douglas (1973–1974, 1978–1979)
- Instruments: accordion, keyboards
- Richard Cherns (1981–1986)
- Instruments: keyboards
- Donnie MunroDonnie MunroDonnie Munro is a Scottish musician, and former lead singer of the band Runrig.A native speaker of Scottish Gaelic, much of his work is in that language.-Early life:...
(1974–1997)- Date of birth: 02/08/1953
- Place of birth: UigUig-Place name:*Ùige - from Norse ** Uig, Skye, a village on the Isle of Skye in Scotland** Uig, Lewis, a placename, specifically a "bay backed machair and hills", on the island of Lewis in Scotland** Uig, Coll, a hamlet on the island of Coll, Scotland...
, SkyeSkyeSkye or the Isle of Skye is the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate out from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillin hills...
, Scotland - Instruments: lead vocals, guitar
- Peter WishartPeter WishartPeter "Pete" Wishart is the Scottish National Party Member of Parliament for Perth and North Perthshire. He was the SNP Chief Whip at Westminster from 2001–2007 and is currently the party's Westminster Spokesperson for the Constitution, Home Affairs, Culture, Media and Sport and International...
(1986–2001)- Date of birth: 09/03/1962
- Place of birth: DunfermlineDunfermlineDunfermline is a town and former Royal Burgh in Fife, Scotland, on high ground from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth. According to a 2008 estimate, Dunfermline has a population of 46,430, making it the second-biggest settlement in Fife. Part of the town's name comes from the Gaelic word...
, Scotland - Instruments: keyboards
Studio albums
- Play GaelicPlay GaelicPlay Gaelic is the first album by the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig. It was released in 1978.-Album Style:The band's sound on the album is half way between traditional ceilidh music and pastoral folk as opposed to the harder rock edge which woud characterise the next album the Highland Connection...
(1978) - The Highland ConnectionThe Highland ConnectionThe Highland Connection is the second album by Celtic rock band Runrig. It was released in 1979.-Track listing:# "Gamhna Gealla" - 3:38# "Màiri" - 2:56# "What Time?" - 2:30...
(1979) - RecoveryRecovery (Runrig album)Recovery is the third album by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig, released in 1981. The album deals with the social history of the Scottish Gàidhealtachd, mirroring a renewed sense of cultural and political identity within the Gaelic community....
(1981) - HeartlandHeartland (Runrig album)Heartland is the fourth album by Celtic rock band Runrig. It was released in 1985, and was their first output in which English songs exceeded the number of Gaelic ones.-Track listing:# "O Cho Meallt" - 3:04...
(1985) - The Cutter and the ClanThe Cutter and the ClanThe Cutter and the Clan is the fifth album by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig. It was the band's breakthrough album, taking them from cottage industry to the international stage. Originally recorded on the band’s own Ridge label, it was taken on board by Chrysalis Records as part of a 1987 major...
(1987) - SearchlightSearchlight (album)Searchlight is a 1989 album, the sixth by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig.-Track listing:# "News from Heaven" - 3:36# "Every River" - 4:46# "City of Lights" - 4:25# "Èirinn" - 4:55# "Tìr a' Mhurain" - 3:54...
(1989) - The Big WheelThe Big Wheel (album)The Big Wheel is a 1991 album, the seventh by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig.-Track listing:# "Headlights" - 5:10# "Healer in Your Heart" - 5:34# "Abhainn an t-Sluaigh" - 5:19# "Always the Winner" - 5:43...
(1991) - Amazing ThingsAmazing ThingsAmazing Things is a 1993 album, the eighth by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig.Amazing Things was ranked the #3 best album of the 1990s in the music review column The War Against Silence by Glenn McDonald: "The most life-affirming album ever made...
(1993) - MaraMara (album)Mara is the ninth album by Scottish Celtic rock group Runrig, released in 1995. The title means 'of the sea' in Scots Gaelic.-Track listing:# "Day in a Boat" - 2:56# "Nothing but the Sun" - 7:15# "The Mighty Atlantic" / "Mara Theme" - 6:43...
(1995) - In Search of AngelsIn Search of AngelsIn Search of Angels is a 1999 album, the tenth by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig.This is the first Runrig album without longtime lead vocalist Donnie Munro, introducing his replacement Bruce Guthro.-Track listing:# "Maymorning" - 5:44...
(1999) - The Stamping GroundThe Stamping GroundThe Stamping Ground is a 2001 album, the eleventh by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig. A copy of the album was aboard STS-107, and it was among the personal effects that were recovered following the crash of Space Shuttle Columbia on 01 February 2003...
(2001) - ProterraProterraFor other uses, see Proterra Proterra is the twelfth album by the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig, with Paul Mounsey. Mounsey was invited to arrange two of the tracks, The Old Boys and An Toll Dubh...
(with Paul MounseyPaul MounseyPaul Mounsey is a composer, arranger and producer from Scotland.He lived for over 20 years in Brazil. A graduate of Trinity College, London, where he studied with Richard Arnell, he has written for film, television, theatre, advertising and also for the Latin American pop market...
) (2003) - Everything You SeeEverything You SeeEverything You See is the thirteenth album by the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig, released by Ridge Records in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2007. All songs were written by band members Calum and Rory Macdonald, except for "Sona" and "And the Accordions Played", which they co-wrote with fellow...
(2007)
Live albums
- Once in a LifetimeOnce in a Lifetime (Runrig album)Once In A Lifetime is a live album by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig. It was released in 1988.A review from Allmusic.com called it one of the best live albums ever: "Capturing the band in its best milieu — live — Once In A Lifetime is arguably one of the ten best live albums ever, if the test of...
(1988) - Transmitting LiveTransmitting LiveTransmitting Live is a 1994 live album by the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig.-Track listing:# Ùrlar - 2:10# Àrd - 6:11# Edge Of The World - 5:13# The Greatest Flame - 6:18# Harvest Moon - 6:11# The Wire - 6:13...
(1994) - Live at Celtic Connections 2000Live at Celtic Connections 2000Live at Celtic Connections 2000 is a live album by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig. It marked their first appearance at Celtic Connections, a Scottish music festival which takes place annually in Glasgow during the month of January.-Track listing:...
(2000) - Day of DaysDay of Days (Runrig album)Day of Days is a live album by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig. The event at Stirling Castle celebrated their 30th anniversary, the band having been formed in 1973.-Track listing:# "Going Home" - 1:49# "Hearthammer" - 5:09...
(2004) - Year of the FloodYear of The FloodYear Of The Flood is the DVD of Runrig's Beat The Drum concert, filmed at Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness on 18 August 2007, the band’s flagship event of Highland 2007...
(2008)
Compilations
- The Best of Runrig: Long DistanceLong Distance (Runrig album)Long Distance is a compilation album of seventeen of Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig's songs.-Track listing:# " Glory Road" - 3:25# "Alba" - 4:00# "The Greatest Flame" - 4:25# "Rocket to the Moon" - 4:45...
(1996) - The Gaelic Collection (1998)
- The Best: Thirty Year Journey (2005)
- 50 Great Songs50 Great Songs50 Great Songs is a box set by Scottish celtic rock band Runrig, released on 1 November 2010 on Ridge Records. Consisting of three CDs and a DVD, the release focuses predominately on lead singer Bruce Guthro's time within the band....
(2010)
Live videos and DVDs
- City of Lights (1990)
- Wheel in MotionWheel in MotionWheel In Motion is a 1992 live concert video by the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig. It shows footage from the 1991 Loch Lomond concert, and various others from the tour of the same year...
(1991) - Air an Oir (1993)
- Live at Stirling Castle: Donnie Munro's Farewell (1997)
- Live in Bonn (1998)
- Day of Days (2004)
- Mod for Rockers (2006)
- Year of the Flood (2008)
Singles
- Loch Lomond (1983)
- Dance Called America (1984)
- Skye (1984)
- The Work Song (1986)
- Worker for the Wind (1987)
- Protect and Survive (1988)
- News from Heaven (1989)
- Every River (1989)
- Capture the Heart EP (1990, #49 UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
) - Hearthammer EP (1991, #25 UK)
- Flower of the West (1991, #43 UK)
- Wonderful (1993, #29 UK)
- The Greatest Flame (1993, #36 UK)
- This Time of Year (1994, #38 UK)
- An Ubhal as Àirde (1995, #18 UK)
- Things That Are (1995, #40 UK)
- Rhythm of My Heart (1996, #24 UK)
- The Greatest Flame EP (1996, #30 UK)
- The Message (1999)
- Maymorning (1999)
- This Is Not a Love Song (1999)
- Book of Golden Stories (2001)
- Empty Glens (2003)
- Year of the Flood (2007)
- Clash of the AshClash Of The AshClash Of The Ash is the first single from Runrig's thirteenth studio album Everything You See, and was released as a single in 2007. The song is based around the sport of shinty and has become an anthem for the sport...
(2007) - Loch Lomond (2007, #9 UK) (with Tartan ArmyTartan ArmyThe Tartan Army is a name given to fans of the Scotland national football team. They have won awards from several organisations for their friendly behaviour and charitable work...
) - Year of the Flood (2008)
- Road Trip (2008)
Further reading
- Macdonald, Calum and Rory: Flower Of The West - The Runrig Songbook (Ridge Books). 2000. ISBN 0-9539452-0-0.
- Morton, Tom: Going Home - The Runrig Story (Mainstream Publishing). 1991. ISBN 1-85158-411-0.