Rory Macdonald


Main image

Roderick (Rory) Macdonald (born 26 July 1949, Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland.) is the bassist of the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig, as well as their primary songwriter with his younger brother, Calum Macdonald. Rory tends to write the melody, and Calum the lyrics. Since former lead singer Donnie Munro left the band in 1997, Rory has taken lead vocal duties on songs in the band's catalogue written in the Scots Gaelic language, as the band's new lead singer, Bruce Guthro, is not a Gaelic speaker.

In the mid to the late sixties, Rory was a part of a band called The Skyvers.

Rory 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 practise, he designed the sleeve notes for Runrig's Recovery and Heartland albums.

ALBUMS


Pecker
Pecker
2019, 3xFile, FLAC, EP, Not On Label (Pecker Self-released)
Runrig
The Big Wheel
1991
Runrig
One Legend - Two Concerts Live At Rockpalast 1996 & 2001
2020, ,
Folk Rock/Celtic
Runrig
The Last Dance (Farewell Concert)
2019, ,
Folk Rock/Celtic
Runrig
The Story Of The Tour - Live CD
2016, CD, MiniAlbum, S/Edition, Ridge Records
Runrig
The Years We Shared
2016, CDr, Single, Promo, Ridge Records
Runrig
The Story
2016
Runrig
The Story
2015,
Runrig
Stepping Down The Glory Road (The Chrysalis Years 1988-1996)
2013
Runrig
And We'll Sing
2013
The Band From Rockall
The Band From Rockall / Luaidh (Love)
2012, CDr, Single, Promo, Ridge Records
Runrig
All The Best
2012, 2xCD, Comp, EMI Chrysalis, ,
Folk Rock/Celtic
The Band From Rockall
The Band From Rockall
2012
Runrig
50 Great Songs
2010
Runrig
The Collection
2009, CD, Comp, EMI Gold, EMI Gold, ,
Pop Rock/Synth-pop
Runrig
Road Trip
2008, CD, Ridge Records
Runrig
Year Of The Flood (Beat The Drum - Drumnadrochit Loch Ness)
2008, ,
Folk Rock/Celtic
Runrig
Year Of The Flood
2008
Runrig
Hit Collection
2007, CD, Album, Comp, Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Runrig
This Day
2007, CD, Single, Promo, RecArt Music
Runrig
Everything You See
2007
Runrig
Year Of The Flood (Radio Edit)
2007
Runrig
The Essential
2007, ,
Pop Rock/Celtic
Runrig
Clash Of The Ash
2007
Runrig
Day Of Days - The 30th Anniversary Concert
2004
Runrig
30 Year Journey The Best
2004
Runrig
Empty Glens
2003
Runrig
Wall Of China
2001
Runrig
Book Of Golden Stories
2001
Runrig
The Stamping Ground
2001, ,
Folk Rock/Celtic
Runrig
Scotland's Glory - Runrig's Ballads
2000, CD, Comp, Chrysalis, EMI Electrola, ,
Celtic
Runrig
Live At Celtic Connections 2000
2000
Runrig
Big Sky
1999, CD, Single, Columbia, Columbia, ,
Folk Rock/Celtic
Runrig
This Is Not A Love Song (Remix)
1999, CD, Single, Ridge Records, ,
Celtic
Runrig
Scotland's Pride - Runrig's Best
1999, CD, Comp, Chrysalis, EMI Electrola, ,
Celtic
Runrig
In Search Of Angels
1999, CD, ,
Folk Rock/Celtic
Runrig
The Message
1999, CD Digipak, ,
Folk Rock/Celtic
Runrig.*
Maymorning
1999, ,
Folk Rock/Celtic
Runrig
Beat The Drum
1998, ,
Folk Rock/Celtic
Runrig
The Best Of Runrig (Long Distance)
1996
Runrig
Rhythm Of My Heart
1996
Runrig
Mara
1995
Runrig
Things That Are
1995
Runrig
An Ubhal As Airde (The Highest Apple)
1995, ,
Folk Rock/Celtic
Runrig
Transmitting Live
1994
Runrig
This Time Of Year
1994
Runrig
Song Of The Earth
1993, CD, Single, Chrysalis, Chrysalis, ,
Celtic/Folk/Folk Rock
Runrig
Amazing Things
1993
Runrig
The Greatest Flame
1993, Vinyl Postcard Pack, ,
Celtic
Runrig
Wonderful
1993
Runrig
Wheel In Motion
1992
Runrig
Alba. The Best Of Runrig
1992, ,
Folk Rock/Celtic
Runrig
Flower Of The West
1991, ,
Celtic
Runrig
Hearthammer EP
1991, ,
Folk Rock
Runrig
The Big Wheel
1991, ,
Folk Rock/Celtic
Runrig
Capture The Heart
1990
Runrig
News From Heaven
1989
Runrig
Searchlight
1989, ,
Folk Rock
Runrig
Every River
1989, ,
Celtic
Runrig
Live (Taken From The Live Album "Once In A Lifetime")
1988, CD, Single, Promo, Chrysalis
Runrig
Protect And Survive
1988
Runrig
Once In A Lifetime (Live)
1988
Runrig
Worker For The Wind / Alba
1987, 7", Single, Ridge Records
Runrig
The Cutter & The Clan
1987, ,
Folk Rock
Runrig
The Work Song
1986, 7", Single, Ridge Records
Runrig
Heartland
1985, ,
Celtic/Folk Rock
Runrig
Skye
1984
Runrig
Dance Called America
1984
Runrig
Recovery
1981, ,
Folk Rock
Run Rig*
The Highland Connection
1979
Run Rig*
Play Gaelic
1978
Runrig
Landscape Poets (Live At The Philipshalle, Düsseldorf, Germany February 3rd 1996 During The “Mara” Tour Complete Show)
1996, 2xCD, Album, Unofficial, Run Records (11)

APPEARANCES +


Rura
Our Voices Echo
2022, CD, Album, Rura Music, Rura Music
Saxophon Op Kölsch
Et Jitt E Jeföhl
2022, File, MP3, 320, Fiesta Records (4)
Marcus Warner
Where The Earth Meets The Sky
2019, 9xFile, FLAC, Not On Label (Marcus Warner Self-released)
Various
International Pop Overthrow Vol. 22
2019, 3xCD, Comp, Omnivore Recordings, ,
Power Pop
Runrig Featuring Julie Fowlis
Somewhere (Re-Edit)
2018
Ruth Keggin
Turrys
2016, CD, Album, Purt Sheearan Records
Calum Martin
Frayvn
2015, CD, Album, Leum Records, ,
Celtic
Various
Celtic Airs & Reflective Melodies
2012, CD, Comp, Greentrax, Greentrax, ,
Celtic
Bregenborg Band
4
2011, CD, Album, Airborne Records (6),
MacPiet
Ready For The Folk?
2011, CD, Album, Not On Label
Kölsche Bengels
Schläht De Trumm
2009, CD, Maxi, Rhingtön, EMI Catalogue Marketing, ,
Schlager
Runrig With The Tartan Army
Loch Lomond (Hampden Remix)
2007
John Wright
The Gypsy Life
2006, CD, Album, TWIRTLE
Runrig
Day Of Days - The 30th Anniversary Concert
2004, DVD, ,
Celtic/Folk Rock
Various
Guitar Heroes (Rock The Night Away)
2004, 3x CD, Box Set,
Various
The Celtic Circle 3 (More Legendary Music From A Mystic World)
2004, 2x CD O-card, ,
Celtic
Runrig With Paul Mounsey
Proterra
2003, ,
Folk Rock
Various
Mystic Moments
2002, 2xCD, Comp, Virgin, EMM (EMI Music Media), Capitol Music
Claire Hamilton
Wild Irish Rose - A Collection Of Romantic Irish Favourites
2002, CD, Comp, LaserLight Digital
Claire Hamilton, Kate Northrop
The Magic Of The Celtic Harp Folk Songs
2001, CD, Album, B.M.S., Bohemian Music Service Ltd.
Various
Classic Rock
2001, 3x CD,
Various
Chillout Moods
2001, Box Set, 8x CD, ,
New Age/Trip Hop/Downtempo
Various
Highlands: Inspirations From The Islands And Highlands
2000, ,
Ballad/Folk
Various Artistes*
Skye "... Do Ar Muintirr
1998, CD, Album, Comp, Pairc Nan Laoch, ,
Folk/Celtic
Various
Celtic
1998, ,
Celtic
Paul Mounsey
Alba
1995, CD, Single, Iona
Highland Weavers
Going Home
1995, CD, Album, Not On Label (Highland Weavers Self-released)
Mairi MacInnes
This Feeling Inside
1995
Steve Gwyn Davies With Sabine Barnes-Rauch
The Highest Apple (An Ubhal As Airde)
1994
Tannas
Oighreachd = Heritage
1994, ,
Folk/Celtic
Paul Mounsey
Nahoo
1994
Fire In The Glen
Teine
1993, Cass, Not On Label (Fire In The Glen Self-released)
Various
CDPRO VOL#17 (July 1992)
1992, CD, Comp, Promo, Capitol Records, EMI Music Canada, ,
Pop Rock/House/Alternative Rock/Soul
Various
Heartlands
1992, ,
Alternative Rock/Folk Rock/Indie Rock/Pop Rock/Synth-pop/Vocal/Acid House/Southern Rock/Gospel
Various
MCA CD Sampler #10 - June 1990
1990, CD, Comp, Promo, Smplr, MCA Records Canada,
Mairi MacInnes
Causeway
1989, ,
Country/Celtic/Piobaireachd/Bluegrass
Various
New Horizons 1 - 14 World Hits
1989, Vinyl, ,
Soft Rock
Rhona MacKay*
Sings And Plays The Music Of The Harp / Ceòl Na Clàrsaich
1984
Various
Highland Magic
1980
Orditone
Streif
CD, Album, Not On Label (Orditone Self-released),
Catherine-Ann MacPhee
Chi Mi'n Geamhradh = I See Winter
Various
The Wild Years