Arthur Cormack (Fèisean nan Gàidheal)
Arthur Cormack was born and brought up in the Isle of Skye and won the National Mòd Gold Medal - the premier award for Gaelic singing - at the age of just 18. He has several albums to his credit, as a solo singer and with Mac-talla and Cliar, and makes regular singing appearances on television, radio and at festivals, events and concerts. He also presents Gaelic programmes on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal from time to time.
He is Chief Executive of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, an organisation which supports tuition in traditional arts across Scotland, engaging with over 70,000 people annually. Fèisean nan Gàidheal runs the Blas Festival, has an education arm – Fèisgoil – which organises activities for schools to enhance the Gaelic curriculum, and has established an online streaming and tuition service through FèisTV.
Arthur is one of the founders of the Gaelic music production company, Macmeanmna, which has released over 50 albums, is a director of Aros (Isle of Skye) Ltd and Urras Baile Flòdaigearraidh. In the past he served on the Board of Governors of Eden Court Theatre, the Scottish Arts Council and was a Vice-Chair of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. He was Cathraiche (Chair) of Bòrd na Gàidhlig from 2009 until 2012 and was inducted to the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2011 on receiving the Hamish Henderson Award for Services to Traditional Music.