Margaret MacKinnon - Biography (Courtesy of the Artist's site, 2007)

Dr. Margaret MacKinnon was born in Glasgow into a G�idhlig (Gaelic) speaking family from the Isle of Skye. She was educated in Glasgow, and went on to study at University and thereafter at the Royal Academy of Music. She further continued her studies at London University.Dr. Margaret MacKinnon has become a recognised authority in the world of music specialising in G�idhlig music and composition. A native G�idhlig speaker, Margaret has taught at Sabhal M�r Ostaig, the G�idhlig language and cultural college on the Isle of Skye. She has adjudicated at the Royal National M�d, at numerous regional m�ds, as well as at the Welsh Eisteddfod and other festivals throughout Britain. She is a school teacher of many years standing and as a tutor she has had spectacular success, having trained choirs in Scotland and England up to award-winning standard at the M�d and music festivals and has coached twelve soloists so far to success in the M�d�s Gold Medal competition, the pinnacle of achievement for a G�idhlig singer. She can also often be heard talking on BBC Radio Scotland and Radio nan G�idheal.

With her extensive knowledge of traditional G�idhlig songs, she�s used this knowledge to write arrangements of traditional melodies for string orchestra. Margaret has set many contemporary G�idhlig poems to music and quite a few of them have been recorded.

Since taking early retirement, Margaret has travelled extensively, teaching all over the world. Countries in which she has taught include France, Spain, Belgium, The United States of America and Australia, as well as closer to home in Scotland and England.