Màiri MacMillan
Màiri was born and brought up on the island of South Uist in the Western Isles of Scotland. A native fluent Gàidhlig speaker, Màiri has been singing Gàidhlig songs from an early age. Màiri was awarded the Gold Medal for Gàidhlig traditional singing at the 2007 Mod in Lochaber. Her first solo album ‘Gu Deas‘, produced by Mhairi Hall was released in July 2021. In 2023 she released three songs commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the mass emigration of people from the Western Isles to Canada. Màiri composed the lyrics and melody of one of the songs – Gu Fada Dhan Iar.
Màiri collaborated with modern composer Ned Bigham and The Edinburgh Quartet, performing a collection of Gaelic heroic lays at the National Library of Scotland. The performance was part of the Library’s Sgeul/Story exhibition focussing on the remarkable work of John Francis Campbell from Islay. Recordings from the collaboration will be available in early 2024.
Alongside Diane Canon and Mhairi Hall, Màiri performed their Scottish – Irish collaboration Òrain is Amhrain, in Scotland and at Celtic Colours 2023 in Nova Scotia, Canada. Future performances in Ireland are scheduled for late 2023.
Màiri is currently working on another Scottish- Irish project exploring songs, music and stories from the Fèinne Tradition. This group of Scottish and Irish singers, storytellers and musicians will perform ‘An Ceòl Air Feadh na Fèinne – The Music of What Happens’, at Celtic Connections 2024
Mod Gold Medal winner Màiri MacMillan is a South Uist native and celebrated Gaelic singer, weaving the Gaelic language into a stunningly contemporary sound. With airplay on BBC Alba and a nomination for Gaelic Singer of the Year, she delivers captivating performances that are both deeply rooted and boldly innovative.
