RUNRIG – Loch Lomond (Live In Balloch)

Loch Lomond (gaelic for ‘Lake of the Elms’) is a freshwater Scottish lake which is situated at the boundary between the lowlands of Central Scotland and the Highlands, overlooked by the mountain Ben Lomond. It is the largest lake in Scotland, and given its gorgeous surroundings it should go without saying that it has inspired many lovely poems and songs over the years.

The best known song about the loch is The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond (or just Loch Lomond for short). The song holds great significance in Scottish culture and history, almost having become an unofficial national anthem, loved by Scots and non-Scots alike all over the world. The song represents the resilience and spirit of the Scottish people, often sung as a symbol of national pride, especially during gatherings and celebrations.

The song is traditional, its original composer(s) unknown. It is rooted in Scottish folklore and has been passed down through generations. The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond was first published in the book Vocal Melodies of Scotland in 1841, but its origins can be traced at least back to the eighteenth century.

Runrig had been formed as a Celtic rock band, in some ways looking to become Scotland’s answer to Horslips – Ireland’s masters of Celtic-tinged rock – during the 1970s. Many of the band’s songs include references to Scottish history or culture. These include the band’s name itself, which is a reference to a pre–agricultural revolution farming practice, run rig.

Their first album, Runrig Plays Gaelic from 1978, had been fully recorded with Gaelic lyrics and an emphasis on acoustic-tinged (and frequently traditional) folk.

The Highland Connection would show a totally different side to the band. This is where the band would prove to the world that they could rock. And did they!

“Loch Lomond” was originally included on Runrig’s second album 1979’s The Highland Connection, and it gradually became the Scottish band’s signature track, the last to be performed at their concerts. In 1991 a live version of this featured on the band’s EP “Hearthammer,” which peaked at #25 in the UK. In 2007 Runrig re-recorded “Loch Lomond (Hampden Remix)” to raise funds for the BBC’s annual Children In Need appeal. The recording featured the Tartan Army, a group of Scottish football supporters, including Rod Stewart, who were enlisted to provide backing vocals. (“The Tartan Army” is a nickname given to Scottish football supporters.) It was released a week prior to Scotland’s biggest soccer game for many years, a vital qualifier with Italy for the 2008 European Championships, which Scotland lost 2-1. The result for Runrig, however, was the first ever UK Top 10 hit for the veteran band, 34 years after their formation in 1973.

On 26 September 2017, Runrig announced that after forty-five years they would be “pulling the curtain down” on both recording and performing. Following the announcement, the band announced a final concert tour entitled The Final Mile which would include dates in Germany, Denmark and the United Kingdom. The tour concluded with a final show in Stirling’s City Park entitled The Last Dance which took place over two days and was attended by over 50,000 people over the course of the two dates.[36] During the tour, all members of Runrig were given the opportunity to be “front and centre” for a period of time during the setlist, from a drum set which included Iain Bayne and Calum MacDonald and keyboardist Brian Hurren who performed vocals during “In Search of Angels”.

“Loch Lomond” is also the anthem of FC Köln, and their fans sing it before each match.

Original lead singer of the band, Donnie Munro, who left in 1997 to pursue a career in politics, joined the band to perform “Cearcal a’ Chuain” and “Cum ‘Ur n’Aire” alongside the Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir. To conclude the concert, Macdonald thanked fans for “45 years of memories you’ve given to us” and vowed that whilst the band “will not perform on stage as Runrig again, the music lives on”

“Loch Lomond” – Single by Runrig
Released December 1982
Songwriter Traditional
Producer Chris Rainbow
“Loch Lomond” was included on the band second album The Highland Connection, released on January 1, 1979.

Runrig were a Scottish Celtic rock band formed on the Isle of Skye in 1973. From its inception, the band’s line-up included brothers and songwriters Rory MacDonald (bass, vocals) and Calum MacDonald (percussion). The line-up during most of the 1980s and 1990s, which was the band’s most successful period commercially, also included Donnie Munro (vocals), Malcolm Jones (guitar), Iain Bayne (drums), and Pete Wishart (keyboards).