A part-time cover-playing band named the
Run Rig Dance Band (Run Rig refers to ridges left by a plough, which gave their name to an old form of communal farming) was formed by brothers Rory (Vocals/bass) and Calum (vocals/drums) MacDonald and accordianist Blair Douglas. In 1974 they were joined by vocalist and guitarist
Donnie Munro and Robert MacDonald (no relation) replaced Blair.
After they toured more widely, including successful forays south of Hadrian's Wall, 1977's folky Play Gaelic- released on Scottish label Lismor- comprised original material, sung largely in Gaelic. The band founded its own label, Ridge Records, for the more Rock-based Highland Connection (1979) as the band became full-time professionals and guitar/pipist Malcolm Jones replaced Robert MacDonald (who died in 1986). Their album Recovery (1981), with drummer Iain Bayne, was a concept album about the social history of the Scottish Gael, clearly indicating the band's roots and political inclination.
Despite their abortive liason with a London record company, Heartland (1985) appeared with the addition of English keyboard played Richard Cherns. When he left to persue a career in the theatre, another Scot, Peter Wishart, formerly of Big Country, stepped in.
A relative stability followed with musicianship maturing and audiences growing. After the album The Cutter And The Clan (1987), they signed to a major label, Chrysalis, who immediately re-released the album and issued subsequent work, including An Uhbal As Airde (1995), the first Gaelic single to make the UK Top 20.
In 1997, despite the continuing success of the band, Munro announced his intention to leave and stand as a Labour candidate in the UK General Election in his home constituency. He came respectably second, failing to become Rock's first Member of Parliament. The winter 1997 tour was Munro's formal farewell, although he stated his intention to return for one-off concerts on special occasions.
Discography: Albums:
Albums:
1978:
Play Gaelic
1979:
The highland connection
1981:
Recovery
1985:
Heartland
1987:
The cutter and the clan
1988:
Once in a lifetime - Live
1989:
Searchlight
1991:
The big wheel,
1992:
Alba - the best of Runrig
1993:
Amazing things,
1994:
Transmitting - Live
1995:
Mara
1996:
Long distance, the best of Runrig
1998:
Beat the Drum
1999:
The gaelic collection 1973-1998:
The collection
In search of angels
Scotland's Pride - Runrig's Best
BBC Archives / Long Distance
Celtic Glory
2000:
Scotland's glory - Runrig's ballads
Live at Celtic Connections
Cutter and clan / Big wheel / Amazing things
Demos
2001:
The stamping ground
Access all areas
Singles:
1982:
Loch Lomond
1984:
Dance called America
Skye
1986:
The work song
1987:
Worker for the wind/Alba
1988:
Protect and survive
1989:
News from heaven
Every river
1990:
Capture the heart
1991:
Hearthammer
Flower of the west
1993:
Wonderful
The greatest flame
The greatest flame (re-release)
Song of the earth
1994:
Stepping down the glory road (Capture the heart)
This time of year
1995:
An ubhal as airde (The highest apple)
Things that are
1996:
Rhythm of my heart
The greatest flame 1996
1999:
Big sky
The message
Maymorning
This is not a love song
2001:
Wall of China
Book of golden stories