Main content

North Uist, Scotland: An Eala Bhan

North Uist - HS6

Donald McDonald, (known as Red Donald of Corruna), was a North Uist stonemason, a veteran of the First World War and a legendary war poet in the Gaelic language. He’s best known for the song An Eala Bhan, β€œThe White Swan” which he composed during the Battle of the Somme. It’s been performed by a huge number of Gaelic artists from Julie Fowlis to Capercallie and Linda Macleod who grew up in the same part of North Uist as Donald McDonald. She speaks here to Cathy McDonald about the significance of the song and the man behind it.

Release date:

Duration:

5 minutes

Featured in...