Magaidh Smith was born and raised on a croft in Achmore, Isle of Lewis, and has shared this homestead with six generations of her family before her. Her upbringing has shaped her life, and her passion for preserving and sharing the rich Gaelic heritage of her community.
Growing up, the sounds of melodeon and of Gaelic song were the soundtrack of the home. Neighbours, relatives, and islanders would call in and the house, which would be particularly busy during the Glasgow Fair fortnight. This was a common holiday ‘home’ for departed islanders. Many would call in to share songs from the previous generations and recount the news of the day. Often, local gossip would be shared in the form of a new song. These early influences, drawn from the Gaelic-speaking communities in Lochs, lay the foundation for Magaidh’s lifelong dedication to traditional music and culture.
As a young Leòdhasach, Magaidh was drawn to the music of Tommy Darky and the Sawmill Band, as well as the songs of Na h-Òganaich, Flair, and the Lochies, along with other Gaelic singers from Lewis. It was a time when few music groups could tour and opportunities for Gaelic song were limited and often confined to community cèilidhs.
Determined to create more spaces for Gaelic performance, Magaidh established the volunteer group Cabraich Community Arts in 2008. The organisation began by hosting Gaelic community events, featuring plays, music, and song, to Over 60’s groups in the area. In 2014, Smith set up the Bayhead Friday Night music group as a social gathering place, which moved online during the COVID-19 lockdown. As well as meeting online they also offered technical support to encourage people to share tunes and stories.
As a board member of An Taigh Cèilidh, the Gaelic Centre in Stornoway, since 2021, Magaidh has been actively encouraging and involving young people to perform, supporting them in presenting their own heritage through music and song on the stage. For Smith, the joy of working in Scottish music and culture lies in organising community events to share her Gaelic heritage.
Looking to the future, Magaidh hopes to find more time for singing, recognising the wealth of stories waiting to be shared through song. Her mission is to secure funding so that young people can continue to shine, enabling them to carry Gaelic music and songs into the future.
Through her tireless efforts, Magaidh Smith has become a guardian of Gaelic culture in the Isle of Lewis, ensuring that the voices of past generations continue to resonate in the hearts and minds of those who follow in their footsteps.