Runrig

by Steve HueyScotland's Runrig was formed in 1973 as a trio by Rory MacDonald, Calum MacDonald, and Blair Douglas, adding Donnie Munro the next year. Douglas quit and was replaced by Robert MacDonald, who died of cancer in 1986. The band went through a number of lineup changes before settling on the MacDonalds, Munro, Peter Wishart, Iain Bayne, and Malcolm Jones. Runrig plays a version of traditional Scottish folk music with a more anthemic rock sound; they are known for pride in their heritage and their spirited energy. The band has been on a steady rise in the U.K. since signing with Chrysalis for their biggest-selling American album, The Cutter and the Clan. While popular in Britain, they remain largely a cult band in America, with followers in the Celtic and folk arenas.