A Kenny Maciver radio interview with Ronald Iain MacDonald (Raghnall Iain Eòghainn Dhòmhnaill) from North Uist is among new audio recordings added to the Tobar an Dualchais ~ Kist o Riches website.

Ronald Iain from Balmartin was talking in 1997, just after he and his wife had celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.

The interview for BBC Radio nan Gàidheal’s ‘Prògram Choinnich’ show discussed Ronald Iain’s childhood, his wedding day, regrets, embarrassing incidents and his favourite song.

In a separate earlier recording from the 1960s, Ronald Iain is joined by Angus MacDonald (Angus Post Office) from Tigharry for a rendition of the love song ‘A Mhàiri Bhòidheach ‘s a Mhàiri Ghaolach’.

In the song, the bard tells how Mary, the girl he loves, is always in his thoughts. It was composed by Alexander Stewart for Miss Maria MacQueen of North Uist.

Donald Archie MacDonald of the School of Scottish Studies recorded the song in 1967.

Ronald Iain was born in 1925 and joined the police before training as a nurse. He was also a crofter and, for a spell, worked at Balelone Farm for Roderick MacAulay.
Image credit: Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath Photographic Archive.