Obit: Fergie Macdonald 23rd April 2024

Subject: Obit: Fergie Macdonald 23rd April 2024
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 24 Apr 24 - 05:11 PM

Sadly, the 'King of ceilidh' noted Scottish button box player Fergie Macdonald has passed away from cancer, just one day short of his 87th birthday. He recorded dozens of albums in his career, and was a bridge between the old style Scottish and modern Celtic players. Ironically, though he was an instrumentalist, Fergie's vocal version of 'Loch Maree Islands' was a noted 'hit' of its day and is still a favourite he is fondly remembered for.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fergie Macdonald 23rd April 2024
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Apr 24 - 07:17 PM

Oh, what a shame. He played for a ceilidh for our Jim Malcolm tour group almost ten years ago. His performance and personality were wonderful. May he rest in peace.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: Fergie Macdonald 23rd April 2024
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 26 Apr 24 - 03:51 PM

I never met him but I loved his music- he had the good sense to play a Saltarelle box RIP a great rhythmic player

Subject: RE: Obit: Fergie Macdonald 23rd April 2024
From: GUEST,Captain Swing
Date: 27 Apr 24 - 03:23 PM

Phil Cunningham tells a number of hilarious Fergie stories.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fergie Macdonald 23rd April 2024
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 30 Apr 24 - 11:07 AM

Good ceilidh music is wonderful, when it is Scottish it is even better. Fergie was a very talented musician and will be sorely missed. There is plenty to read up on the Internet as well as some very good tracks on YouTube. Try the YouTube video with the title on a blue background for an opening blast!

Rest in peace Fergie.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fergie Macdonald 23rd April 2024
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 04 May 24 - 05:29 AM

Very sorry to hear the news too. He had not long ago announced his retirement from playing, but did do a cameo slot at “Hoolie in the Hydro” in Glasgow just before last Christmas.
Had a very enjoyable week at his buttonbox course at Sabhal Mor Ostaig on the Isle of Skye in 2013. Lots of chat and plenty of jokes and stories too.
I love the Phil C story of how Fergie taught him the “eyebrow tune” - “Flett frae Flotta” by Donald Macleod - eyebrows halfway up for the E, all the way up for the top A.
He also wrote the very humorous song “The Shinty Referee”, having been a physiotherapist as well as a very talented musician.