“He was a self-made man, known for his integrity, generosity, his practical and shrewd business sense, his quick wit and his kindness.”
– The Herald
Words
Music
Press
Media
Elements
by Alan McLeod, close friend and singer / songwriter
Your great Ice Age seared our land
and made for us a place of Beauty.
Your great Atlantic storms still hammer us hard
then passover as they wash the face of Caledonia.
Your blizzards of snow; hard, hard frost; and sleet
shudder us into Honest self-awareness.
Your hot summer suns set fire to the moors
to burn up the old so that the Good newborn can flourish.
Your Donald Simon Marrel MacLeod’s passing
is our moment of shocking change and sorrow;
but like your weather and your time; his shroud
enwraps us warmly in the much more unseen Beautiful.
Silently passover us Dennis, dancing to the Alba of Tomorrows
that the poets among us might cry Paradise
teaching us to think of the Gealteachd with your brilliant mind
now that we finally see our Heartland through your gentle closing eyes.
Written for and recited at Dennis’ burial.
“Dennis was a doughty Scot, a proud Highlander but first and last aways a MacLeod. He was a steadfast friend, to me personally and to the National cause, and no man as ever better exemplified the clan motto “Stand Fast”. May God rest his brave soul.”
— The Rt Hon Alex Salmond, Former First Minister of Scotland
Travelers
by Calumn MacDonald, dear friend and member of Runrig
We stood in the moonlight and the river flowed
And God walked through the garden
A mist came falling down to the ground
I watched it all with no obligation
This is your sister, this is your brother
This is your mother, not somebody's dream
And all our lifetimes drifted through the trees
To that place of moments where all was certain
Travellers on an olden road
With all the baggage of our days and years
We're life's carriers to the next unborn
And I'll carry you
Till this great race is over
We stood in the garden
And the river flowed
Written for and recited at Dennis’ burial.