Tormod MacGill-Eain
Encyclopedia
Norman Hector Mackinnon Maclean (Scottish Gaelic: Tormod MacGill-Eain) (born 1936) is a Scottish Gaelic comedian, novelist, poet, musician and broadcaster. He is the only person to have won both Bardic Crown and Gold Medal at the same Royal National Mod
. His struggles with alcoholism
are documented in his autobiography, The Leper's Bell:Autobiography of a Changeling.
with whom he was often compared). He wrote and starred in his own TV show "Tormod Air Telly" which was a big hit in the Highlands of Scotland. Maclean also provided the vocal talents for several re-dubbings of children's programmes into Gaelic - most notably "Donnie Murdo", the Gaelic version of Dangermouse
.
Throughout his life, Maclean has had a destructive relationship with alcohol which stopped him taking him many opportunities, he was due to appear in Comfort & Joy as well as notoriously failing to appear for numerous bookings or failing to achieve his potential as well as having a large effect on his personal life and health.
Maclean, the subject of an award-winning documentary, 'Tormod', produced by BBC Alba, moved to Uist in 2009. He still engages with the creative community and particularly enjoys encouraging youngsters to develop their artistic gifts. He writes a monthly column for the community newspaper, 'Am Pàipear', and has a supporting role, as an old bard, in the full-length feature film, Ruadhan the Bard, due to be released in early 2012.
Maclean is happily settled in Uist and has enjoyed sobriety since the Spring of 2010, when he also stopped smoking.
Royal National Mod
The Royal National Mod is the annual national mod, a festival of Scottish Gaelic song, arts and culture.The Mod is run by An Comunn Gàidhealach , and includes competitions and awards.-History:...
. His struggles with alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
are documented in his autobiography, The Leper's Bell:Autobiography of a Changeling.
Early life
Maclean was born in Glasgow on the 26th of December, 1936, but was evacuated to Lochaber in 1940 where he was brought up by Gaelic speaking relatives. He also spent a part of his childhood in South Uist and Benbecula. He then when to Glasgow where he attended Bellahouston Academy. His father died suddenly when Maclean was 15.Career
Maclean attended Glasgow University. He trained to become a teacher but also started to perform songs and piping. In the early 1970s he started to expand his repertoire by spending more time upon his jokes between songs and became a stand-up comedian (similar to the progression made by Billy ConnollyBilly Connolly
William "Billy" Connolly, Jr., CBE is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin...
with whom he was often compared). He wrote and starred in his own TV show "Tormod Air Telly" which was a big hit in the Highlands of Scotland. Maclean also provided the vocal talents for several re-dubbings of children's programmes into Gaelic - most notably "Donnie Murdo", the Gaelic version of Dangermouse
DangerMouse
Danger Mouse is a British animated television series which was produced by Cosgrove Hall Films for Thames Television. It features the eponymous Danger Mouse, an English mouse who works as a superhero/secret agent. The show is a loose parody of British spy fiction, particularly James Bond and the...
.
Throughout his life, Maclean has had a destructive relationship with alcohol which stopped him taking him many opportunities, he was due to appear in Comfort & Joy as well as notoriously failing to appear for numerous bookings or failing to achieve his potential as well as having a large effect on his personal life and health.
Maclean, the subject of an award-winning documentary, 'Tormod', produced by BBC Alba, moved to Uist in 2009. He still engages with the creative community and particularly enjoys encouraging youngsters to develop their artistic gifts. He writes a monthly column for the community newspaper, 'Am Pàipear', and has a supporting role, as an old bard, in the full-length feature film, Ruadhan the Bard, due to be released in early 2012.
Maclean is happily settled in Uist and has enjoyed sobriety since the Spring of 2010, when he also stopped smoking.