Jimmie Macgregor

Described as Scotland's most entertaining traveller, Jimmie Macgregor is a folk singer and broadcaster who has been booked by the Festival to give a one off illustrated talk and performance. Going by the title, Jimmy Macgregor's gathering of songs, stories and famous folk, the event will be held on Thursday 3rd May in the Shetland Hotel.

Described as Scotland's most entertaining traveller, Jimmie Macgregor is a folk singer and broadcaster who has been booked by the Festival to give a one off illustrated talk and performance. Going by the title, Jimmy Macgregor’s gathering of songs, stories and famous folk, the event will be held on Thursday 3rd May in the Shetland Hotel.

Forming a musical partnership with Robin Hall in 1960, Macgregor was hugely influential in the folk music revival. A weeklong trial on BBC's famous Tonight programme extended to four years, five nights per week with its colossal viewing figures giving them massive publicity, feeding concert appearances and worldwide tours. With more than 20 record albums to their credit, Macgregor moved on as an author and award winning radio presenter as his long-term partnership with Robin Hall drew to a close. His daily Macgregor's Gathering for BBC Scotland ran for more than ten years and further enhanced Jimmie's reputation as one of Scotland's top personalities. The television programmes that he went on to make included The West Highland Way, which was the first of the Scottish marked walk-ways that Jimmie undertook before undertaking similar journeys in other parts of Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the Arctic (most of which also resulted in books).

In addition to his folk, tv and radio appearances, Jimmie Macgregor has been involved in various conservation organisations, including the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland. In fact, in 1994 he was awarded the MBE for services to Scottish heritage and culture.

He now presents his books and stories as illustrated talks around the country, and his energy and enthusiasm for his various interests remains undimmed.