15 Facts About Donnie Munro

Donnie Munro was born on 2 August 1953 and is a Scottish musician and politician, best known as the former lead singer of the band Runrig.

Donnie Munro was born in Uig, Isle of Skye, in the Inner Hebrides.

Donnie Munro attended Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen and obtained a postgraduate degree in teaching from Moray House in Edinburgh.

Donnie Munro first witnessed Runrig's performance in 1973 and was approached a year later to join the band.

In 1997, Donnie Munro left Runrig to pursue a career in politics.

Donnie Munro was replaced as lead singer of the band by Canadian musician Bruce Guthro in 1998.

Donnie Munro released a solo album titled Heart of America, in collaboration with fellow Skye songwriters Blair Douglas and Richard Macintyre.

Currently, Donnie Munro holds the position of Director of Development at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Scotland's National Centre for the Gaelic Language and Culture, located on the Isle of Skye.

For Runrig's 40th anniversary at the Black Isle show ground at Muir of Ord on 10 August 2013, Donnie Munro appeared as a special guest and performed three songs.

For Runrig's farewell concert, "The Last Dance" in City Park, Stirling, on 18 August 2018, Donnie Munro appeared as a special guest, performing two songs.

Donnie Munro was elected as Rector of the University of Edinburgh in 1991, a position he held until 1994.

Donnie Munro contested the UK Parliamentary seat of Ross, Skye and Inverness West for Labour in the 1997 General Election but was defeated by Charles Kennedy.

Donnie Munro then contested the Scottish Parliament seat of Ross, Skye and Inverness West for Labour at the 1999 Scottish Parliament election but was defeated narrowly by John Farquhar Munro, of the Liberal Democrats, in what was traditionally a Liberal Democrat stronghold.

Donnie Munro was said to have rejected the offer of a 'safe' Labour seat in Central Scotland in the 1999 election as he had already been adopted as a candidate for his native Highland constituency.

In 1998 Donnie Munro was elected as the first rector of the UHI Millennium Institute, a post that lasted 3 years.