Rory Macdonald

Roderick (Rory) MacDonald (Scottish Gaelic: Ruaraidh Dòmhnallach /ruərɪ dɔ̃ːnəlˠəx/; born 27 July 1949) was the bassist of the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig, as well as their primary songwriter with his younger brother, Calum Macdonald. Generally, Rory wrote the melodies, and Calum the lyrics. After former lead singer Donnie Munro left the band in 1997, Rory took lead vocal duties on songs in the band's catalogue written in the Scottish Gaelic language, as the band's new lead singer, Bruce Guthro, was not a Gaelic speaker. In the mid to the late 1960s, Macdonald was a part of a band called The Skyvers. MacDonald previously attended the Glasgow School of Art and had a promising career as a graphic designer until Runrig went 'professional'. Later putting these skills into practice, he designed the sleeve notes for Runrig's Recovery and Heartland albums. Early life Macdonald was born in Dornoch, Sutherland. His father, Donald John MacDonald of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, was a World War II veteran. The family moved to North Uist, when Rory was about four years old. On arrival in Lochmaddy, his younger brother Calum was born.