Iain Saoimein

Descended from Isle of Mull settlers, John Simon MacDonald was a notable Gaelic singer from Inverness County, Nova Scotia. Born in Meat Cove on August 24, 1900, to Mary (Fraser) and William MacDonald, he was raised by his father after his mother passed away when he was just four years old. His musical talents, inherited from his mother's side, linked him to the renowned step dancer Willie Francis Fraser.Known for his kind and gentle nature, John Simon was always singing or jigging a tune, often entertaining at house gatherings. He worked as a fisherman, lumberer, and farmer, and was known for being a hard-worker. His family fondly recalls him singing Gaelic songs from the kitchen bench after Sunday Mass. He married Isabelle (Belle) MacLellan of St. Rose, and they had a family of nine, two daughters died in infancy. Throughout their lives, they resided in several communities, including St. Rose, MacDonald’s Glen, MacKinnon’s Brook, Mabou Coal Mines, and Mabou village.John Simon MacDonald passed away on July 18, 1983, at Inverness Hospital, leaving behind a legacy of Gaelic music and cultural heritage.