Donald Maclellan

Donald MacLellan (1918 – 2003) was a fiddler native of Princeville, Iverness County, Cape Breton, Canada.

Donald MacLellan was born in the family homestead in Riverside, not far from Port Hawkesbury, Cape Breton. He was born to musical parents. His father was “Big Ronald MacLellan, a respected fiddle and his mother, Mary Ann MacDonald, played organ and piano. Donald and his sister Theresa were both fiddle players, and another sister Marie was a fine pianist. His brother Joe was also a gifted fiddler. Sadly, Joe passed away at the age of twenty.

Donald, Theresa and Marie however, spent many years performing together as “The MacLellan Trio.” Their music was deeply appreciated by audiences throughout Cape Breton. They made many recordings together, both in the 78 rpm, and LP formats. Donald MacLellan was still actively fiddling, even in his later days. He made his final recording, The Dusky Meadow in 2003, when he was eighty-six. On the recording, he was joined by MacLellan’s long-time friend and accompanist, Doug MacPhee. Later that year, MacLellan passed away in his Toronto home. His playing has received acclaim from such fiddling greats as Dan R. MacDonald, Bill Lamey, Donald Angus Beaton, Natalie MacMaster and David Greenburg. He is fondly remembered for his strong style that was heavily influenced by his Gaelic roots.