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The fellowship commemorates Mary Macpherson, or as she was better known, M`iri Mhrr nan Rrain (Big Mary of the Songs), who came from the Isle of Skye and is renowned for her prolific song writing and singing in the 1800s. Funded by The Highland Council, the Scottish Arts Council, Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise, Comunn na G`idhlig and Feisean nan G`idheal, this new Fellowship aims to develop and promote the interest and participation in Gaelic singing across the Highlands and also, where possible, stimulate and encourage the writing of new Gaelic songs.

Councillor Allan Beaton Chairman of The Highland Councils Gaelic Working Group, said: We are delighted to be able to set up an initiative like this, which will raise the profile and awareness of Gaelic songs and singing across the Highlands and will encourage the writing of new material.  A post of this nature will ensure that our rich oral tradition will be passed on to future generations.

Fiona MacKenzie, a native of Fochabers in Morayshire has lived in the Highlands for the last 15 years. She is a graduate of Aberdeen University (MA in Music, English & Scottish History) and of Robert Gordons University (Diploma in Librarianship).  Always a keen singer, Fiona became involved in Gaelic music through her children going to Croileagan and then on to Gaelic Medium Education in Dingwall. She soon joined a Gaelic choir and started competing in the Learners competitions at Mods. She achieved her first breakthrough at the 1996 Blairgowrie Mod, winning the Silver Pendant at her first attempt.

Fiona has been in Caithness many times at the Mod in Wick and as a guest of the Caithness Gaelic Choir.  She has worked with local mod winner Raymond Bremenr on a CD .  Her remit will encompass encouraging Gaelic singing and helping people who want to enter competitions like the Mod.  she will also help to find Gaelic songs and will be building a database of songs for future reference.

Before resuming a working carer she took two years out to follow an immersion course in Gaelic to emerge as a fluent speaker and singer - of Gaelic. She has been in the final of the Mod Gold Medal competition on more than one occasion. She has won other prizes including; Oran Mor trophy, Previous
Prize-winners Medal and the Duet Cup on three occasions.

Fiona attributes her singing to her father and grandfather, both of whom were keen musicians. Her father Duncan Macpherson was a Moray folk singer and her grandfather, also Duncan was well known in Glasgow as the Singing Minister.  Fiona said: This is a challenging but exciting opportunity both for myself and for the future of the Gaelic musical tradition and I hope that I can do it justice to the legacy bequeathed to us by M`iri Mhrr herself.

Fiona plays an active part in the Feis movement and is also involved in many other Gaelic and cultural activities.   She sings regularly at ceilidhs and concerts throughout the Highlands from Caithness to Argyll.   She has also written new songs to the words of poems by North Kessock Gaelic writer, Angus Macphee, one of which was performed at the Rran Yr competition at the 2000 Royal National Mod.

Her first recording was produced two years ago and was a joint venture with Gold Medallist, Raymond Bremner. The album, Astair, continues to sell well.  She is hoping to go back into the studio later this year to record a solo album.

Fiona Mackenzie's Web Site

Caithness Gaelic Choir