Statesman
Donald Munro was born in Uig, Isle of Skye on 2/8/53 and was the youngest of three. He was brought up between his Grandparents croft and his parents council house in Portree. His early culture was influenced by the fact that most people spoke Gaelic, English was the accepted language of everyday business - Gaelic for the home and English for the school. Happily, Gaelic was not completely forgotten as flicking through Runrig albums will show. It was during these early Primary school days that a little Uist boy called Calum Macdonald came into Donnie's class, although the significance of this meeting would be realised some years later.
Donnie decided as a teenager to go to Art college and went to Gray's School of Art and subsequently to Moray House in Edinburgh to do a Post-Graduate teaching qualification. He went back home during the holidays and it was during one such break he saw "Run-Rig" (as they were in 1973) which included his old school pal Calum on vocals and drums, which greatly amused Donnie - listen to "Dust" from Recovery for evidence! Calum and big brother Rory approached Donnie a year later about becoming Run-Rig's singer as he had become their support act. Also, it was clear that he could hold a tune. Donnie still had to finish his degree and taught Art at Inverness Royal Academy, Leith Academy and Tynecastle High, the latter being in Edinburgh.
Runrig went full-time in 1982 by which time Donnie had married Teresa McGough. His status as an eloquent and intelligent frontman grew with Runrig's success. 1991 was to be one of Donnie's most exciting years. He was appointed Rector of Edinburgh University where he was much respected and he took his role seriously. It was the year of THAT concert at Loch Lomond and "The Big Wheel" did the business in the album charts, entering at no.4. Runrig seemed to be everywhere as did Donnie's picture in the papers. He became involved with charity work such as his work with Solas, an AIDS charity and he later helped launch Zero Tolerance in 1994. Unlike some rock stars, Donnie swapped fast women for fast cars and was banned for driving for six months because he was driving the band to a record signing, the van broke down and he didn't want to disappoint waiting fans.
Donnie has been a Labour supporter all his life. It was at the funeral of the Labour leader John Smith that Donnie made up his mind to stand for parliament, although it was announced officially that he was to leave Runrig until May 1997. Meanwhile, he presented his own radio show on Scot FM, was awarded an honorary doctorate from Edinburgh University and appeared on the Muriel Gray quiz show "The Golden Cagoule" - probably for a bet! Speculation about his future with Runrig grew and he recorded his final album, "Mara", with Runrig in 1995.
1996 saw the media sniff around Donnie as it was rumoured (rightly) that he would stand for the seat of Ross, Skye and Inverness West. His health suffered a downturn with an attack of kidney stone trouble which climaxed in a collapse back-stage at one of the Christmas Tour dates. He recovered in time to play in Princes Street Gardens that Hogmanay, to the delight of the fans.
1997 was the year of the General Election in the UK and Donnie's last year with Runrig. He well and truly hit the campaign trail as he battled with Charles Kennedy for his home constituency. He was defeated by a very narrow margin - a considerable achievement as Charles is a MP of some standing in the area. Donnie announced his desire to stand for the proposed Scottish Parliament and this ruled out any return to Runrig. He made it clear that it had been a hard decision for him to make as he had loved his time with the band and his relationship with the fans was always important. He also spoke wistfully of increasing his artistic output and he has had a successful exhibition of water-colours at the Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh, perhaps fulfilling a little of this dream.
Donnie wasn't allowed to leave the band quietly - the band and the fans wouldn't let him! There were final shows on the continent, England, and initially just one at Stirling Castle which sold out in hours. One became two, then three. The final show was perhaps the most memorable since Loch Lomond. The band and Donnie gave it their all in spite of all the emotions involved. Fans openly wept as did Malcolm Jones and Peter Wishart of the band. Although Donnie kept his composure throughout, the photo on P68 of the book "Runrig - The End of One Era" shows his true feelings perfectly...
What now for Donnie? He continues his political and community work both in Scotland and Skye, where he has resolved to live until he dies. He can now spend as much time with his wife and three children as he likes without the commitments of touring and recording. Charles Kennedy has stated he has no plans to stand for the Scottish Parliament which more or less gurantees Donnie's chances. Whatever happens, this intelligent, charismatic and caring man has earned the respect of the Gaidhealtacht and Scotland simply by his own inherent decency.
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