“Scotland’s pre-eminent singer-songwriter and a national musical treasure” (SingOut USA), Dougie MacLean will return to the Orkney Folk Festival this year.
Originally famed for writing the much-loved anthem, Caledonia – MacLean has, over his 40-year career, developed a unique blend of lyrical, roots based songwriting and instrumental composition.
He has built a phenomenal international reputation as songwriter, composer and extraordinary performer, which has led to concerts and festivals all over the world, whilst his performance during the Closing Ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (alongside Kylie Minogue and Lulu) was viewed by a television audience of over a billion people worldwide.
MacLean’s songs have been covered by hosts of diverse artists, including Paolo Nutini, Amy MacDonald, Ronan Keating, Mary Black, Frankie Miller and Kathy Mattea. His breakout song, Caledonia – from his 1978 debut album, has become one of Scotland’s most popular contemporary songs, whilst his instrumental music has been widely used throughout TV and film – including the soundtracks of Last of the Mohicans and T2 Transpottingng.
Across his career, he has received numerous gold discs for album sales, two prestigious Tartan Clef Awards, a place in the Scottish Music Hall of Fame, a Lifetime Achievement Award from BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and an OBE in the 2011 New Year Honours list, presented by the Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.