Alex MacDonald

NEW BOOK

I am about to publish my late father's memoirs. The title of the book comes from a song I wrote about him called The Shepherd's Song. My father, Colin MacDonald, was a shepherd in Sutherland for many years after working as a ghillie and trapper in his younger days. He grew up in Strath Halladale, but spent most of his working life on the Strath of Kildonan. He wrote these memoirs after he retired in 1971 in notebooks in his beautiful 'copperplate' handwriting, and after he died my late brother Col transcribed it all on to computer. I have now edited it, typeset it and prepared it for publication.

Colin MacDonald's life-story from boy to head shepherd in Sutherland records the changes, the people, and the developing agricultural land-use of the moors and hills. He writes with perception and humour, vividly bringing alive times past, a native insider telling the story from within. A famous stockman and sheep breeder, his perspective shows society and land-use forever changing and dynamic; colourful individuals back-lit by a harsh and beautiful landscape. It is part of the canon of essential reading in understanding the Scottish Highlands.
Sir Michael Wigan
Borrobol, author and journalist

This is 'natural ethnology' at its very best. The book teems with anecdotes, as Colin's memory ranges across the years. He is a first-class storyteller, bringing to life a wonderful gallery of characters, their strengths, weaknesses, and temperaments. They are all here - from the lords and ladies who came to shoot and hunt, to the sons and daughters of toil, the native stock who ensured that 'life went on' in good times and bad. Colin MacDonald emerges as a man who lived his life to the full, ready for every new challenge, including several years in the British Army, described with great precision. He endured the rough and tumble of his experiences not merely by his remarkable physical strength, but pre-eminently by his robust Christian faith, which shines through his writing. It is particularly noticeable that Colin's faith was integrative and inclusive, devoid of the negativity which is all too often the common perception of 'Christianity' in the Scottish Highlands.
Donald Meek
Retired Professor of Scottish and Gaelic Studies at the University of Edinburgh

It will be available on Amazon and from Timespan in Helmsdale and the Dornoch Bookshop from 4th June.

There will be a BOOK LAUNCH on Tuesday 3rd June at Timespan in Helmsdale at 7pm when I will read excerpts from the book and sign copies. Be good to see you there if you can make it.

LATEST ALBUM

The latest album is available for download from Bandcamp, and you can order CDs on the SALES page here. Hard as Nails was recorded, mixed and mastered at Black Isle Recordings by Steve Adey. Joining Alex were Rob Macdonald (Drums and backing vocals), Phil Onslow (bass), Cailean Morison (organ, piano and backing vocals), Donald Forsyth (electric guitar) and Olivia Ross (fiddle).

BANDCAMP

The album is also available to download from my BANDCAMP page. Bandcamp is very fair to artists compared to other streaming platforms as they only charge a small fee, and you can easily load the downloaded tracks to your favourite audio app.

All previous albums are also available for download from BANDCAMP.

CLIPS

You will find clips of all the songs off all the albums on the ALBUMS page, and information about each song on the INFO page.

Some comments on Alex's music:

"Good 'real' music of heart and substance and message."
Calum Macdonald (Runrig)

"I very much enjoyed your CD - particularly the opening track, which is like a Calvinist Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts."
Tom Morton (Broadcaster and journalist)