Murdo Macfarlane

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Murdo Macfarlane(15 Feb 1901 - 1982) (Scottish Gaelic: Murchadh MacPhàrlain) known as the 'Melbost Bard' (Scottish Gaelic: 'Bàrd Mhealboist') he was a published poet and campaigner for Scottish Gaelic.

Born and brought up in Melbost, Isle of Lewis, he travelled to North America in the 1920s and later served in World War II. His poetry was taken up by a young band Na h-Oganaich in the 1970s this exposure led to bands such as Runrig and Capercaillie being inspired by his work.

He was also a strong campaigner against the enlargement of Stornoway Airport into a NATO base in the 1970s. He is the subject of a BBC documentary 'Murchadh MacPharlain; Bard Mhealaboist' which won the Celtic Film and Television Festival Award for best Arts documentary in 2001.