Congratulations to The Ceilidh King – Celebrating Fergie Macdonald MBE who has / have been nominated in Event of the Year sponsored by VisitScotland in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2026. Vote for The Ceilidh King – Celebrating Fergie Macdonald MBE now! It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 5th December in Paisley Arena, Lagoon Centre. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Morven of The Ceilidh King – Celebrating Fergie Macdonald MBE the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Morven Macdonald, I am the daughter of the late Fergie MacDonald MBE, affectionately known throughout Scotland and beyond as The Ceilidh King.
As musicians ourselves, my brother John Fergie and I have grown up surrounded by Dad's music and have always shared his love and passion for traditional ceilidh music.
The Ceilidh King – Celebrating Fergie MacDonald MBE was organised by John and myself, with the invaluable help of Dad's good friend and fellow musician, Allan Henderson. We wanted to bring together the musicians who had been such an important part of Dad's musical journey and create a very special evening to celebrate his life, music and remarkable legacy.
The concert, held at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness, featured members of Dad's long-standing BBC broadcasting band alongside special guest performers, with John and myself also taking part. It was particularly important to us that the evening captured the true spirit of Dad's ceilidh music, his unmistakable sound, his humour and, above all, the happiness he brought to so many people over the years.
We were also incredibly grateful to Isle of Skye Candles for their sponsorship and support in helping us bring this special evening together. Their kindness and encouragement meant a great deal to us.
The whole evening was something very close to our hearts, and we were determined to create a fitting tribute that Dad would have been proud of. Seeing so many people come together to celebrate his life and music was incredibly special and emotional for us all.
Above all, the concert was about honouring Dad's extraordinary contribution to traditional ceilidh music and ensuring that his music and legacy continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.
Any particular career highlights?
Among his many career highlights was the success of Loch Maree Islands, which reached number one in 1966, and the remarkable achievement of The Shinty Referee, which reached number one in the worldwide iTunes charts. In 2022, he was awarded an MBE in recognition of his outstanding contribution to traditional ceilidh music.
A gifted and prolific composer, Dad created many memorable tunes that have become part of Scotland's traditional music repertoire. One particularly notable example is 'The Jig Runrig', a hugely successful and much-loved composition which demonstrates the lasting appeal and influence of his music. His compositions continue to be performed, recorded and enjoyed by musicians and audiences both at home and internationally.
Dad was also immensely proud of his many BBC radio and television broadcasts throughout his career, which brought his music and unmistakable ceilidh sound to audiences far beyond the Highlands. However, despite all these wonderful achievements, I think he would have said that his greatest highlight was simply getting people up dancing in village halls throughout the Highlands and Islands. That was his true passion and where his heart always lay. He loved nothing more than seeing a packed dance floor, people enjoying themselves and the happiness his music brought to so many. For Dad, that was what ceilidh music was all about.
In addition, The wonderful response to 'The Ceilidh King – Celebrating Fergie Macdonald MBE' concert was a testament to the affection and admiration in which Dad continues to be held. Above all, it demonstrated that his music, his spirit and his extraordinary contribution to traditional ceilidh music remain as cherished as ever.
What are your plans for the future?
Our plans for the future are very much centred around keeping Dad's wonderful musical legacy alive and ensuring his music continues to be enjoyed by generations to come.
Following the incredible response to The Ceilidh King – Celebrating Fergie MacDonald MBE at Eden Court Theatre, we are hoping to release an album of the tribute concert, capturing the music of what was such a special and emotional evening for us all.
We are also very keen to publish a music book featuring some of his well known compositions, along with 50 new compositions that Dad had just completed prior to his passing. This is something particularly close to our hearts, as it would allow us to share some of his final musical creations with musicians and audiences, ensuring that these wonderful tunes can be played and enjoyed for many years to come.
We would also love the opportunity to stage another tribute concert and, perhaps even more fittingly, take the Fergie MacDonald Band back on the road, visiting village halls throughout the Highlands and Islands, just as Dad did for so many years. Those village hall dances were always his true passion, and there would be something incredibly special about bringing his music back to the very communities and dance floors that meant so much to him.
Above all, the family and I want to continue celebrating Dad's life, music and the happiness he brought to so many people. His music was always about bringing people together, and we can think of no better way to honour him than to keep that wonderful tradition alive.
The Ceilidh King – Celebrating Fergie Macdonald MBE Social Media
Website: http://www.fergiemacdonald.com
Facebook: @fergiemacdonald
Listen to music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6fhnLkf3l8FIVg8j3Gd64I?si=vuVbuqFmSraLXcgD8t1e_Q and https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/fergie-macdonald/176911862
The 2026 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 5th December 2026 in Paisley Arena, Lagoon Centre! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here).
Hosted by Scottish personalities Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the night will welcome live performances from some of the brightest lights on the thriving trad scene today including Valtos, Gnoss, Sian, Fèis Phàislig, Spodo Komodo and BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Rachel Groves and many more!
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians why not become a friend of Hands Up for Trad. In addition to our high profile events like the Scots Trad Music Awards, we also deliver a less well known, education programme for young people from 8yrs right through to young adults at the start of their careers. Read more here.